One-Pan Italian Chicken Skillet: A Flavorful Weeknight Dinner

Are you looking for a quick, easy, and delicious weeknight dinner that the whole family will love? Look no further than this Italian Chicken Skillet! This one-pan wonder is packed with flavor, features tender chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a rich, savory sauce, all cooked together in a single skillet for minimal cleanup. It’s a fantastic way to get a healthy and satisfying meal on the table in under an hour.

This recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize it with your favorite vegetables and Italian-inspired ingredients. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting out, this Italian Chicken Skillet is sure to become a staple in your dinner rotation.

## Why You’ll Love This Italian Chicken Skillet

* **Quick and Easy:** This recipe comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
* **One-Pan Wonder:** Everything cooks in one skillet, minimizing cleanup.
* **Flavorful and Delicious:** The combination of Italian herbs, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes creates a rich and savory flavor.
* **Versatile:** Easily customize the recipe with your favorite vegetables and ingredients.
* **Healthy and Satisfying:** Packed with protein and vegetables, this skillet is a complete and balanced meal.
* **Budget-Friendly:** Uses readily available and affordable ingredients.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need to create this delicious Italian Chicken Skillet:

* **Chicken:** 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces. Chicken thighs can also be used for a richer flavor.
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, for sautéing the chicken and vegetables. You can substitute with other cooking oils if needed, but olive oil provides the best flavor.
* **Onion:** 1 medium yellow onion, chopped. Yellow onions provide a good base flavor for the dish.
* **Garlic:** 4 cloves garlic, minced. Fresh garlic is essential for that authentic Italian flavor.
* **Bell Peppers:** 1 red bell pepper and 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced. Bell peppers add color, sweetness, and nutrients to the skillet.
* **Zucchini:** 1 medium zucchini, sliced. Zucchini is a mild-flavored vegetable that soaks up the sauce beautifully.
* **Mushrooms:** 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced. Mushrooms add an earthy flavor and meaty texture.
* **Sun-Dried Tomatoes:** 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped. Sun-dried tomatoes add a concentrated burst of Italian flavor.
* **Italian Seasoning:** 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary.
* **Red Pepper Flakes:** 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional), for a touch of heat.
* **Chicken Broth:** 1 cup chicken broth, low sodium. Chicken broth provides the base for the flavorful sauce.
* **Tomato Paste:** 2 tablespoons tomato paste. Tomato paste adds richness and depth of flavor to the sauce.
* **Heavy Cream:** 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional), for a richer and creamier sauce. Can be substituted with half-and-half or omitted altogether.
* **Fresh Basil:** 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped, for garnish. Fresh basil adds a bright and aromatic finish.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste, for seasoning.
* **Parmesan Cheese:** Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional).

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your own Italian Chicken Skillet:

**1. Prepare the Chicken:**

* Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. This will help them cook evenly and quickly.
* Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated with the seasonings.

**2. Sauté the Chicken:**

* Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
* Add the seasoned chicken to the skillet in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches to ensure proper browning.
* Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes, or until it is browned on all sides and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
* Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

**3. Sauté the Vegetables:**

* Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet.
* Add the chopped onion and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
* Add the sliced bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms to the skillet.
* Cook the vegetables for 5-7 minutes, or until they are tender-crisp.
* Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes (if using).

**4. Make the Sauce:**

* Stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and tomato paste.
* Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to allow the tomato paste to caramelize slightly.
* Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet to deglaze, lifting any browned bits.
* Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until it has thickened slightly.
* Stir in the heavy cream (if using) and season with salt and pepper to taste.

**5. Combine and Simmer:**

* Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
* Stir to combine the chicken and vegetables with the sauce.
* Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the flavors have melded together.

**6. Garnish and Serve:**

* Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the fresh basil.
* Serve the Italian Chicken Skillet hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese (if using).

## Tips for the Perfect Italian Chicken Skillet

* **Don’t Overcrowd the Pan:** When sautéing the chicken and vegetables, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding will steam the ingredients instead of browning them properly. Cook in batches if necessary.
* **Use Fresh Ingredients:** Fresh garlic and basil will make a significant difference in the flavor of the dish.
* **Adjust the Seasoning:** Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning as needed.
* **Deglaze the Pan:** Deglazing the pan with chicken broth is crucial for adding depth of flavor to the sauce. Don’t skip this step!
* **Customize the Vegetables:** Feel free to substitute or add other vegetables, such as broccoli florets, asparagus spears, or spinach.
* **Make it Spicy:** Add more red pepper flakes for a spicier dish.
* **Add Some Wine:** For an even richer flavor, add 1/2 cup of dry white wine to the skillet along with the chicken broth. Let it simmer for a few minutes to reduce before adding the chicken back to the skillet.
* **Use Bone-In Chicken Thighs:** For a richer and more flavorful dish, try using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. You’ll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

## Serving Suggestions

This Italian Chicken Skillet is delicious on its own, but here are some serving suggestions to complete your meal:

* **Pasta:** Serve over your favorite pasta, such as spaghetti, fettuccine, or penne.
* **Rice:** Serve over white rice, brown rice, or quinoa.
* **Mashed Potatoes:** Serve alongside mashed potatoes or creamy polenta.
* **Bread:** Serve with crusty bread for dipping in the flavorful sauce.
* **Salad:** Serve with a simple green salad or a Caesar salad.

## Variations

Here are a few variations to try:

* **Creamy Tomato Chicken Skillet:** Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream or mascarpone cheese to the sauce for an extra creamy dish.
* **Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Skillet:** Add 1 cup of chopped spinach and 1/2 cup of chopped artichoke hearts to the skillet along with the other vegetables.
* **Pesto Chicken Skillet:** Stir in 2 tablespoons of pesto to the sauce just before serving.
* **Spicy Italian Sausage Chicken Skillet:** Add 1/2 pound of Italian sausage, removed from its casings, to the skillet along with the chicken. Brown the sausage before adding the vegetables.
* **Chicken Cacciatore:** For a more traditional Chicken Cacciatore, add 1 (14.5 ounce) can of diced tomatoes to the skillet along with the chicken broth. You can also add olives and capers for a more authentic flavor.

## Storage and Reheating

* **Storage:** Store leftover Italian Chicken Skillet in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the skillet in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave.

## Recipe

**Yields:** 4-6 servings
**Prep time:** 15 minutes
**Cook time:** 30 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
* 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
* 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 red bell pepper, sliced
* 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
* 1 medium zucchini, sliced
* 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
* 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and chopped
* 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
* 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
* 1 cup chicken broth, low sodium
* 2 tablespoons tomato paste
* 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
* 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet.
5. Add the onion and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until softened.
6. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
7. Add the bell peppers, zucchini, and mushrooms to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until tender-crisp.
8. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and red pepper flakes (if using).
9. Stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
10. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the skillet to deglaze.
11. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until thickened slightly.
12. Stir in the heavy cream (if using) and season with salt and pepper to taste.
13. Return the chicken to the skillet and stir to combine.
14. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the flavors have melded together.
15. Remove from the heat and stir in the fresh basil.
16. Serve hot, garnished with Parmesan cheese (if using).

Enjoy this delicious and easy Italian Chicken Skillet! It’s a perfect weeknight meal that’s sure to become a family favorite.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 350-450 per serving (depending on ingredients and serving size)
* Protein: 35-45g
* Fat: 15-25g
* Carbohydrates: 10-15g

*Note: Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes.*

This Italian Chicken Skillet is a fantastic way to bring the flavors of Italy to your dinner table without spending hours in the kitchen. Its versatility allows you to adapt the recipe to your preferences and dietary needs. Whether you’re using different vegetables, adding a touch of spice, or serving it over pasta or rice, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. So gather your ingredients, fire up your skillet, and get ready to enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal!

**Bon appétit!**