Name: One-Pan Chicken and Pepper Stew Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2½ pounds chicken pieces; 3 bell peppers; 1 onion; 2 cloves garlic or ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; ½ cup dry white wine; 1 cup tomato passata; 1½ teaspoons salt (extra as needed); ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Nothing beats the warm, comforting aromas of home-cooked food filling your kitchen, and this One-Pan Chicken and Pepper Stew Recipe does exactly that. It's a deliciously simple dish where tender chicken mingles with sweet bell peppers and a rich tomato sauce, all cooked together in just one pan. Give it a try; you'll see why it’s become one of my favorite go-to dinners.

A dark bowl filled with a rich, orange-red stew made of several pieces of cooked chicken covered in a thick, smooth sauce. Mixed in are chunky slices of yellow and red bell peppers, creating a colorful contrast with the chicken. The bowl sits on a dark green cloth, and behind it, there is a wooden board with sliced white bread placed on a white marbled surface. The lighting highlights the glossy texture of the sauce and the tender look of the chicken pieces, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make One-Pan Chicken and Pepper Stew Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve One-Pan Chicken and Pepper Stew Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
One-Pan Chicken and Pepper Stew Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This One-Pan Chicken and Pepper Stew Recipe is a shining example of how a few quality ingredients can come together to create something truly special. I love how it simplifies dinner while delivering loads of flavor. It’s the kind of dish that feels homemade, hearty, and just downright reassuring on a busy weeknight or a lazy weekend.

Simple to Make: Everything cooks in one pan, cutting down on cleanup and fuss.
Comforting Flavors: Tender chicken, sweet peppers, and savory tomato meld perfectly for that cozy dinner vibe.
Flexible Ingredients: It’s easy to swap peppers or add herbs based on what you love or have on hand.
Perfect for Sharing: Makes a generous amount that’s ideal for dinner with family or friends.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a happy role in making this stew rich, vibrant, and comforting. The combination of sweet bell peppers, aromatic onion, and tangy tomato passata gives the sauce a luscious texture and depth. Plus, a splash of white wine adds that subtle layer of complexity that makes this dish stand out.

Flat lay of raw chicken pieces with pale pink skin, three whole bell peppers in red, yellow, and green colors, a whole yellow onion with dry papery skin, two whole uncracked garlic cloves, a small white ceramic bowl of golden extra virgin olive oil, a small white bowl filled with pale yellow dry white wine, a small white bowl holding vibrant red tomato passata, a small white bowl of coarse white salt crystals, and a small white bowl of ground black pepper placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken pieces: Using bone-in adds flavor and keeps the meat juicy during slow cooking.
Bell peppers: Sweet varieties bring color and natural sugar, balancing the sauce.
Onion: Adds essential sweetness and body to the base of the stew.
Garlic cloves: Bring aromatic warmth without overpowering the dish; fresh is best but powder works if needed.
Extra virgin olive oil: The backbone fat that browns the chicken and carries flavor.
Dry white wine: Adds acidity and complexity, helping deglaze the pan and lift flavors.
Tomato passata: Silky, pure tomato that thickens the sauce without chunks.
Salt & black pepper: Essential seasoning; adjust at the end to your taste.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to add a small pinch of red chili flakes when I want a little heat, but this recipe is so versatile you can easily tailor it to your tastes. Experimenting with different bell pepper colors also brightens the dish visually and flavor-wise.

Variation: One time, I swapped the white wine for a dry vermouth and it gave a subtle herbal touch that was lovely.
Dietary tweak: You can make this gluten-free by ensuring your tomato passata has no additives—it's naturally gluten-free, so just double-check!
Seasonal change: In winter, I like to add a handful of chopped mushrooms to deepen the earthiness and add texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make One-Pan Chicken and Pepper Stew Recipe

Two pieces of chicken covered in thick orange-red sauce sit stacked on a white plate, with the top piece standing tall and the other lying beneath. Bright red and yellow bell pepper slices spread around the chicken in the sauce, adding splashes of color. A silver fork rests on the left side of the plate. In the background, a second plate with more chicken in sauce is partially visible, placed on a green cloth over a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep & Brown the Chicken to Build Flavor

Start by trimming any excess skin or small feather quills from your chicken pieces—not a must, but it makes for a prettier presentation. Pat them dry with paper towels—it helps avoid oil splatter when browning. Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the chicken in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. You want nice golden crusts on all sides, which usually takes around 10–15 minutes. Trust me, this step really sets the base for a rich stew.

Step 2: Add Onion & Garlic for Aromatic Depth

Once the chicken is browned, nestle in your sliced onions and whole garlic cloves. Stir them around for about 5 minutes until the onions soften and start to turn translucent. This sweet base mellows the stew’s flavor beautifully.

Step 3: Deglaze with White Wine

Pour in the white wine and watch it bubble away as the alcohol cooks off and it reduces slightly. This step lifts all those delicious brown bits off the pan, infusing the stew with cozy complexity. It’s like a little magic trick for flavor!

Step 4: Add Peppers and Tomato, Then Simmer Low and Slow

Stir in your sliced bell peppers, tomato passata, salt, and pepper. Give everything a gentle mix so the sauce comes together. Lower the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer gently for 30–40 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally. Keep an eye on the sauce and add a splash of water if it’s drying too fast. Low-and-slow cooking lets all the flavors meld and the chicken become melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Step 5: Uncover and Reduce Until Rich and Thick

Remove the lid after the slow simmer and let the stew bubble away uncovered for about 30 minutes. This thickens the sauce beautifully. Towards the end, taste and tweak the seasoning—the natural sweetness of those peppers sometimes calls for a little extra salt to balance. This is when the dish really shines, rich and satisfying.

Top Tip

Over time, I’ve learned that the browning stage is truly the foundation of success here. Don’t rush it or crowd the pan, and you’ll be rewarded with deeper flavor. Also, keeping the heat gentle during simmering keeps the chicken tender and stops the sauce from burning.

Pat Chicken Dry: Helps achieve that perfect golden sear without oil splattering.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Brown chicken pieces in batches if needed to avoid steaming.
Simmer Gently: Keep the heat low after adding liquids; a vigorous boil toughens the chicken.
Adjust Seasoning at the End: Peppers add sweetness, so taste before adding extra salt.

How to Serve One-Pan Chicken and Pepper Stew Recipe

chicken and pepper stew - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love a sprinkle of fresh flat-leaf parsley for color and a brightness that cuts through the richness. Sometimes, I add a little squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the whole dish just before serving—it's magic!

Side Dishes

Crusty bread is my absolute favorite partner here—it’s perfect for soaking up all that luscious sauce. You can also serve it alongside creamy polenta or buttery mashed potatoes for a heartier meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I’ve served this stew in individual cast-iron skillets topped with a dollop of herbed yogurt or a drizzle of chili oil for a subtle kick. It’s a beautiful way to make simple food feel a bit fancy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the flavors actually deepen overnight, making the next-day meal even better!

Freezing

This stew also freezes beautifully. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove.

Reheating

I prefer reheating on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of water if the sauce thickened too much. This keeps the chicken tender and the sauce silky.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use boneless chicken for this stew?

Yes, boneless chicken can be used, but bone-in pieces add more flavor and stay juicier. If using boneless, keep an eye on cooking times as they tend to cook faster.

What if I don’t have tomato passata?

You can substitute tomato passata with crushed canned tomatoes or a smooth tomato puree. Just be mindful of texture; passata is silky, so choose a smooth option if possible.

Can this stew be made in advance?

Absolutely! This stew tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen. Just store it in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving.

How spicy is this recipe?

This recipe is naturally mild and relies on the sweetness of the peppers and tomato. You can add chili flakes or fresh chili if you want to introduce some heat.

Final Thoughts

This One-Pan Chicken and Pepper Stew Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen because it’s both straightforward and soul-satisfying. It’s one of those meals that feels like a warm hug after a long day. I genuinely hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s a wonderful way to elevate simple ingredients into something memorable.