This skillet chicken scarpariello recipe is a low-carb, Italian American chicken dinner made with chicken thighs, Italian sausage, cherry peppers, garlic, vinegar, and herbs, designed for home cooks who want bold restaurant-style flavor in about 45 minutes
Chicken scarpariello is one of those classic Italian American recipes that tastes like it came straight from a restaurant kitchen. The combination of juicy chicken thighs, savory Italian sausage, sweet peppers, tangy vinegar, and cherry peppers creates a rich sauce that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big Italian restaurant flavor at home
- Naturally lower in carbs than versions with potatoes
- One skillet meal with simple ingredients
- Tangy cherry pepper sauce with balanced heat
- High protein and satisfying
- Great for meal prep and leftovers
Ingredients
Method
- Pat the chicken thighs dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken skin-side down and cook until deeply golden brown, about 6–7 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet.
- Add sliced Italian sausage to the same pan and cook until browned.
- Add bell peppers and cook until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in white wine, chicken broth, red wine vinegar, and cherry pepper brine. Add cherry peppers and oregano. Scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Return the chicken thighs to the skillet. Cover and simmer for 25–30 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Top with fresh parsley and extra cherry peppers before serving.
Notes
Nutrition:
For the full Chicken Scarpariello recipe as written (using bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and Italian sausage), the approximate nutrition per serving is:
- Calories: 410–450
- Protein: 32–35g
- Carbohydrates: 6–8g
- Fiber: 1–2g
- Sugar: 3–4g
- Fat: 27–30g
- Saturated Fat: 8–10g
- Sodium: 850–1100mg
This estimate includes:
- 1 chicken thigh
- Some Italian sausage
- Peppers and sauce
If you want it lighter:
- Use chicken sausage instead of pork sausage
- Remove chicken skin before eating
- Use boneless skinless thighs
That can bring it closer to:
- 300–340 calories
- 15–18g fat
- Similar protein
- Lower sodium depending on sausage brand
Tips for Best Results
- Use skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor.
- Don’t rush the browning step.
- Cherry pepper brine adds the classic tangy flavor.
- Simmer gently so the chicken stays tender.
- If the sauce reduces too much, add a splash of broth.
Variations & Substitutions
- Use boneless chicken thighs for faster cooking.
- Swap Italian sausage for chicken sausage.
- Add potatoes if you want a more traditional version.
- Make it spicier with hot cherry peppers or red pepper flakes.
- Skip the wine and use extra chicken broth if preferred.
Chicken scarpariello is a classic Italian American chicken dish made with chicken, sausage, peppers, vinegar, and cherry peppers simmered in a flavorful pan sauce.
It can be mildly spicy depending on the cherry peppers used. Sweet cherry peppers give flavor without too much heat.
Yes. Replace the wine with additional chicken broth.
Yes. Boneless thighs work well and cook faster than bone-in chicken.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this chicken scarpariello with:
- Roasted broccoli
- Garlic green beans
- Cauliflower mash
- Zucchini noodles
- A simple Italian salad
You could also pair it with your stuffed peppers no rice recipe or Tuscan salmon for another low-carb Italian-inspired dinner option.
