There’s something so satisfying about a dish that looks fancy but comes together easily—like this One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe. The creamy, vibrant sauce paired with tender chicken makes weeknight dinners feel special without extra fuss.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
What really hooked me on this One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe is how effortlessly the flavors come alive. You get that punch of roasted red pepper sweetness balanced with creamy richness, all while only using one pan—hello, easy cleanup!
- Simple but Flavorful: The roasted red pepper sauce is vibrant and rich, transforming everyday chicken into something special.
- Minimal Cleanup: Everything cooks in one skillet, saving you from looming sink chores after dinner.
- Flexible Ingredients: Use chicken thighs for juicy tenderness or breasts if you prefer leaner meat.
- Quick to Make: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy nights when you want something delicious fast.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe shines because of its simple, fresh ingredients that create a gorgeous blend of flavors. I always recommend getting good quality roasted red peppers—jarred ones work wonderfully when fresh aren’t available.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs (or breasts): Thighs stay moist and tender, but breasts are a leaner option that still soak up the sauce beautifully.
- Roasted Red Peppers: They bring a sweet, smoky depth to the sauce; homemade is fantastic if you have time, but store-bought is a great shortcut.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme adds that signature Mediterranean flavor.
- Oil: Olive oil is my go-to—it complements the Mediterranean vibe perfectly and helps brown the chicken.
- Minced Garlic: Adds aromatic depth and a savory punch to the sauce.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Enhance all the flavors—don’t skip or under-season!
- Heavy Cream: Makes the sauce luxuriously creamy without overpowering the roasted red pepper flavor.
- Feta Cheese (optional): A sprinkle brightens the dish with a salty tang and creamy texture.
- Fresh Basil (optional): Adds fresh herbal notes and a pop of color for plating.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your preferences. I’ve played around with adding spinach or swapping cream for Greek yogurt to lighten it up. Don’t be afraid to put your own spin on it!
- Variation: I sometimes add a handful of olives or artichoke hearts stirred in right before serving for an extra Mediterranean flair—totally delicious and still quick.
Step-by-Step: How I Make One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Blend that sauce base
Start by combining your roasted red peppers, half the Italian seasoning, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a blender or food processor. Pulse everything until smooth—that vibrant sauce is the heart of this dish, so get it just right with a creamy, silky texture.
Step 2: Sear the chicken
Grease your skillet with a bit more oil, then season the chicken with the remaining Italian seasoning. Cook each piece over medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side, until the outside is nicely browned and the inside is fully cooked. Keeping the heat moderate helps avoid drying out the chicken—this is key for juicy results.
Step 3: Create the creamy pepper sauce
Once your chicken is resting on a plate, pour the red pepper blend into your skillet. Stir it over medium heat for a couple of minutes until warmed through, then add heavy cream. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens into a luscious, creamy coating.
Step 4: Bring it all together
Return the chicken to the pan, tossing it gently to coat every piece in that gorgeous roasted red pepper sauce. Serve right from the pan with a sprinkle of crumbled feta and fresh basil if you like—these little touches make it feel restaurant-worthy.
Top Tip
From my kitchen to yours, I’ve learned a few things making this One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe that really help it shine. These tips save you time and boost flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Rest: Let the chicken rest briefly after cooking to keep it juicy when coated in sauce.
- Use Quality Roasted Peppers: A good jarred brand can make all the difference if you don’t roast your own.
- Medium Heat is Key: Cooking chicken too fast over high heat risks drying it out; medium heat lets it brown beautifully and stay juicy.
- Season Generously: Don’t be shy with salt and pepper—they bring the whole dish to life.
How to Serve One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
I tend to finish this dish with crumbled feta cheese and thinly sliced fresh basil—it adds a pop of brightness and a little texture contrast. Sometimes a quick squeeze of lemon juice helps brighten the rich cream sauce even more.
Side Dishes
This chicken pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or some warm couscous to soak up the saucy goodness. Roasted vegetables or garlic bread also make for satisfying sides without stealing the spotlight.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, I like to plate the chicken atop creamy polenta, drizzle extra sauce around the plate, and sprinkle fresh herbs all over. It looks elegant but is still easy for guests to serve themselves straight from the pan.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store any leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens a bit after chilling, so just loosen it with a splash of cream or milk when reheating.
Freezing
This recipe freezes well—just cool completely and package into freezer-safe containers. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken and sauce together over low heat, stirring occasionally. Adding a splash of water or cream keeps the sauce silky, and warming slowly prevents toughening the chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work well in this One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe. Just be careful not to overcook, as breasts can dry out faster. Cooking time may be a minute or two less per side.
If you want a lighter option, you can use full-fat Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. Add it at the end of cooking on low heat to avoid curdling. This keeps the sauce creamy with a bit of tang.
Yes, you can prepare the roasted red pepper sauce a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature and reheat gently before adding the cream and tossing with chicken. It’s a time saver!
The best way is to use a meat thermometer—the internal temperature should read 165°F (74°C). Alternatively, cut into the thickest part of the chicken to check that the juices run clear and there's no pink meat.
Final Thoughts
This One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe has become one of those meals I’m happy to cook any time. It’s flavorful without being complicated, and it always impresses both family and guests alike. I hope you give it a try and discover just how simple, tasty, and satisfying a Mediterranean-inspired skillet dinner can be!
Print
One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Description
This One Pan Mediterranean Chicken with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce is a flavorful and creamy dish featuring tender chicken thighs cooked in a rich roasted red pepper and cream sauce, garnished with feta cheese and fresh basil. Perfect for a quick and delicious dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4-6 boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Sauce
- ⅔ cup chopped roasted red peppers
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, divided
- 4 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- Thinly sliced fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: Combine roasted red peppers, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a food processor or blender. Pulse the mixture until smooth.
- Cook the chicken: Grease a large skillet. Season the chicken with the remaining 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken in the skillet over medium heat for 8 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and lightly browned on the outside. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- Heat the sauce: Transfer the blended red pepper mixture to the same skillet and stir over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Make the sauce creamy: Add the heavy cream to the skillet and stir continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
- Combine and serve: Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet and toss to coat the chicken thoroughly with the sauce. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and thinly sliced fresh basil. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This dish is ready in less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breasts for a leaner option.
- If you prefer a thinner sauce, reduce the heavy cream to ¾ cup.
- Roasted red peppers can be store-bought jarred peppers to save time.
- Fresh basil can be substituted with dried basil if fresh is not available, but add less to avoid overpowering the dish.
- Feta cheese garnish is optional but adds a nice salty contrast to the creamy sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 613 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 962 mg
- Fat: 43 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 51 g
- Cholesterol: 230 mg
Leave a Reply