Chicken Scarpariello Recipe
Chicken Scarpariello is a classic Italian-American dish that combines tender chicken pieces with bell peppers, cherry peppers, onions, and garlic, all cooked in a flavorful sauce. Many people enjoy Chicken Scarpariello because it is frequently served with spaghetti, rice, or crusty bread. It is a filling and cozy dish. It is a popular choice for gatherings and weekend dinners because of the versatility and delicious flavor.
Ingredients
- 3 pounds boneless chicken thighs (about 6)
- ½ tbsp Kosher salt
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 4 spicy or sweet Italian sausage
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 large red pepper, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 2 tbsp dry white wine
- 6-8 pickled cherry or hot peppers and ¼ c pickling juice from jar
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°.
- Dry the chicken with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a large, oven-safe pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
- Add the chicken, skin side down, and cook, turning halfway through, until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Add the sausage to the pan and cook, turning occasionally, until golden, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate with the chicken.
- Add the onion and pepper to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute more. Add the wine and bring to a boil.
- Cook until reduced by half, about 8 minutes. Add the cherry peppers, pickling juice, stock and vinegar. Bring to a boil, add the oregano and season with salt and pepper.
- Cut the sausages into 5 pieces and return to the pan. Place the chicken between the sausage and pepper.
- Transfer to the oven and cook until the chicken is cooked through and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°F, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Enjoy! Serve with a glass of your favourite Italian wine and warm, crusty bread.
Notes
Chicken Choice: For Chicken Scarpariello, you can use bone-in chicken pieces such as thighs or drumsticks. They tend to stay moist and flavorful while cooking.
Frying the chicken: It is recommended to fry the chicken first before adding it to the sauce. This step helps create a delicious crispy surface and adds depth of flavor to the dish.
Peppers and Heat: Traditional Chicken Scarpariello includes peppers and cherry peppers. Peppers add sweetness and color, while cherry peppers add a spicy kick. Adjust the number of cherry peppers to your preference for heat. If necessary, you can also replace them with milder types of pepper.
Seasoning Adjustment: Feel free to adjust the seasoning to your taste. You can add more garlic, herbs like rosemary or thyme, or even a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra spice. Taste the sauce as it cooks and adjust the seasoning accordingly.
To cook the sauce: After browning the chicken and sautéing the peppers, onions, and garlic, deglaze the pan with white wine to enhance the flavor. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the wine slightly before adding the chicken stock and other spices.