This One-Pan Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Tender Skillet brings together the perfect balance of creamy and zesty flavors, ideal for a quick yet satisfying meal. The pepperoncini peppers add just the right amount of tang to complement the rich creaminess of the sauce.
What makes this dish a winner is its ease of preparation—everything cooks together in one pan, minimizing cleanup and making it a go-to option for busy weeknights. The combination of ranch seasoning, Dijon mustard, and chicken broth creates a savory sauce that perfectly coats the tender chicken, making each bite more flavorful than the last. Whether served with rice, potatoes, or a fresh salad, this dish will quickly become a favorite in your household.
Full Recipe:
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4 chicken tenderloins
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 packet ranch seasoning mix
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1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
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1/2 cup chicken broth
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1/2 cup heavy cream
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1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
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2 tablespoons butter
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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Fresh parsley, for garnish
Directions:
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Season chicken tenderloins with salt, pepper, and ranch seasoning mix on both sides.
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Add chicken to the skillet and cook until golden and fully cooked through (about 6-7 minutes on each side).
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Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
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In the same skillet, add butter and let it melt.
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Add pepperoncini slices and chicken broth to the skillet, stirring for about 2 minutes.
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Stir in heavy cream and Dijon mustard, and bring to a simmer.
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Return chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over it.
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Simmer for another 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
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Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes
Kcal: 380 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
The Appeal of One-Pan Meals
One of the standout features of the Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Tender Skillet is that it’s a one-pan dish. This makes it not only incredibly easy to prepare but also convenient when it comes to cleaning up afterward. One-pan meals have become a popular choice among home cooks because they require fewer pots and pans, making cleanup a breeze. This is particularly helpful after a busy day when the last thing you want to do is spend an hour washing dishes.
In addition to being easy to clean up, one-pan meals also help to concentrate flavors. Cooking all the ingredients together in one skillet allows the flavors to meld, creating a deeper, more cohesive taste. For example, the ranch seasoning, Dijon mustard, and chicken broth work together in the pan to create a rich and creamy sauce that perfectly complements the chicken.
A Perfect Balance of Flavors
What makes the Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Tender Skillet stand out is its perfect balance of flavors. The pepperoncini peppers bring a gentle spiciness and tang, adding a touch of excitement without overwhelming the dish. The creaminess of the heavy cream creates a luxurious sauce that envelops the chicken, making each bite irresistibly tender and flavorful. The addition of Dijon mustard adds a subtle sharpness, which cuts through the richness and provides an excellent contrast to the cream.
The ranch seasoning mix ties everything together, infusing the chicken with savory herbs and spices that add a familiar comfort to the dish. It’s a perfect marriage of ingredients that works well for anyone who enjoys creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy flavors. This recipe is a wonderful way to enjoy the versatility of chicken while adding a fun twist with the pepperoncini.
Why Chicken Tenderloins Are Perfect for This Dish
Chicken tenderloins are the star of this recipe, and for good reason. Tenderloins are the most tender part of the chicken breast, making them perfect for quick cooking. They cook quickly and stay juicy, even when pan-fried. This is crucial when making a dish like the Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Tender Skillet, as you want the chicken to be perfectly cooked but still juicy and tender.
Because the tenderloins are so delicate, they absorb the creamy sauce and ranch seasoning beautifully, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the dish. They also take less time to cook than whole chicken breasts, making this recipe ideal for busy weeknights when you need a meal that’s both fast and satisfying.
Customizing the Recipe
While the Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Tender Skillet recipe is fantastic as written, it’s also highly customizable to suit your personal tastes and dietary needs. If you prefer a spicier kick, you can increase the amount of pepperoncini or add a few dashes of hot sauce or red pepper flakes. If you prefer a milder dish, you can reduce the amount of pepperoncini or omit them entirely.
For those who follow specific dietary restrictions, this recipe can be easily adapted. For a dairy-free version, you can substitute the heavy cream with coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative. The butter can also be replaced with olive oil or a plant-based butter substitute. You can also use gluten-free ranch seasoning to make the recipe suitable for those following a gluten-free diet.
Another great customization option is to add vegetables. A handful of spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers can be sautéed with the chicken to add some extra nutrients and color. This not only enhances the dish’s flavor but also increases its visual appeal, making it even more inviting.
How to Serve This Dish
The Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Tender Skillet is versatile when it comes to serving options. You can pair it with a variety of side dishes, depending on your preference. A side of buttery mashed potatoes is a classic choice, allowing the creamy sauce to be soaked up by the potatoes. For a lighter option, you can serve it over rice or quinoa, which will absorb the sauce and add texture to the meal.
If you’re looking for a low-carb option, consider serving this dish with roasted vegetables or a fresh salad. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can provide a nice contrast to the creamy richness of the chicken. You could also serve it with cauliflower rice for a healthy, low-carb substitute for regular rice.
For a more indulgent experience, garlic bread or crusty dinner rolls are excellent choices to help soak up any remaining sauce. The combination of the creamy chicken and the crusty bread creates a delightful contrast of textures that is sure to please everyone at the table.
Perfect for Meal Prep
One of the best things about the Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Tender Skillet is that it’s great for meal prep. You can easily make a double batch and store it in the refrigerator for a few days, or freeze individual portions for later. The flavors tend to deepen and meld even further as the dish sits, making it a fantastic option for preparing ahead of time.
When meal prepping, be sure to store the chicken and sauce in an airtight container. When ready to eat, simply reheat the dish in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. If you prefer, you can even freeze the sauce separately from the chicken for longer storage, ensuring that it stays fresh and ready to go when you need it.
Conclusion
The Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Tender Skillet is a meal that checks all the boxes—quick, easy, flavorful, and satisfying. With its creamy sauce, tangy pepperoncini peppers, and juicy chicken tenderloins, it’s a dish that’s sure to become a regular in your dinner rotation. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or preparing for a weekend family dinner, this recipe offers a delicious way to enjoy chicken with minimal effort.
The recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing you to adjust the level of spiciness, incorporate different vegetables, or even make it dairy-free or gluten-free. The fact that it’s a one-pan dish only adds to its appeal, making cleanup a breeze. Whether you serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, or a fresh salad, the Creamy Pepperoncini Chicken Tender Skillet will become a favorite in your home. Try it today and enjoy the creamy, zesty goodness in every bite!