As simple as it may be, this classic chicken and peppers recipe is quick, delicious, and perfect for dinner any day of the week! This recipe does not have many steps or ingredients because the balsamic vinegar infuses the bell peppers and chicken with so much flavor, you won’t need much else!
This easy one-skillet chicken and peppers is packed with tangy balsamic flavor!
I always find that making this dish adds some cheer to my day. With colorful peppers and wonderful smells emanating from my kitchen, it feels a bit like a party, regardless of who is coming to dinner.
Sometimes, simplicity makes the star ingredient stand out even more, and this is one of those times. Garlic, balsamic vinegar, and dried basil come together in such a delightful way.
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Optional red pepper flakes can spice things up, but the real highlight is the chicken.
It makes a hearty, warming meal and even better leftovers!
Best of all, shredded chicken and pepper sandwiches will makes a perfect lunch the following days!
❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
It’s Flexible! It's easy to use a little creativity in this recipe. This dish can change completely by swapping just a couple of ingredients!
Minimal Cleanup! Make dinner in just 1 pan! Fewer dishes means a dinner everyone can love.
It's Fast! Anything I can get on the table in under 30 minutes is a win in my book.
🥘 Ingredients
Make sure to get the freshest peppers you can find for the best flavor. And don’t skip the secret ingredient, balsamic vinegar.
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Extra Virgin) - Divide your EVOO into two 1 tablespoon portions.
- 1 pound Chicken Thighs - Use boneless skinless chicken for best results.
- ½ teaspoon each, Salt & Pepper - Salt enhances the flavor of anything it’s added to. You can always add more to taste.
- ½ each, Red & Green Bell Pepper - Slice these up for a delicious and colorful highlight!
- ½ medium Yellow Onion - This is the equivalent of about ½ a cup of sliced onions.
- 1 teaspoon Garlic - About 1 minced garlic clove should be added after the chicken is cooked so it won’t burn.
- 2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar - This isn’t just a salad dressing. It creates an amazing savory taste that elevates any dish it’s added to.
- 1 teaspoon Dried Basil - If you’d rather use freshly chopped, use about 1 tablespoon.
- 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional) - I love cranking up in the heat in this recipe.
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*
📖 Variations
Mushrooms - If you want to add a little extra richness to the dish, toss in some creminis! The balsamic will compliment them nicely.
Tomatoes - Halve a few cherry tomatoes. Then, saute them with the bell pepper for a slightly sweet and fresh add-in!
Taco Seasoning - Change things up by taking out the balsamic vinegar and sprinkling in some taco seasoning with the rest of the spices in step 3. This version of chicken and peppers should be served with black beans and salsa.
Infused Olive Oil - There are a lot of unique olive oils out there that could be scrumptious in this dish. Try a clove of garlic or hot pepper-infused option.
Marinade - Place your chicken in a gallon bag of your favorite marinade in the fridge overnight! Make your own or try my Italian chicken marinade! *Marinate chicken for at least 2 hours.
Dijon - Try substituting half of the balsamic for some Dijon mustard! This is great for anyone that likes that classic Dijon flavor.
Hatch Peppers - When in season (about August-September), sliced hatch chili peppers make a great substitution for the bell peppers in this recipe. It's perfect for anyone who likes things a tad bit spicier, and they are full of flavor!
Fish - Try swapping the chicken in this dish for a mild white fish like cod or tilapia. Pan-fry the fish on each side until cooked to satisfaction, then proceed with the recipe as normal!
🔪 Instructions
There are only 4 easy steps necessary for this dish. Aside from that, you’ll need a skillet, a spatula, and silicone kitchen tongs.
1 2 3 4
- Heat. To begin, heat 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then, sprinkle ½ teaspoon each of salt and pepper over 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs. When the skillet is hot, carefully add the chicken.
- Pan-fry. Next, cook the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, pan-frying it until fully cooked. Use a thermometer to check that the temperature at the thickest part of each piece is 165℉ (75℃). Move the chicken to a plate and set it aside for later.
- Saute. Then, slice ½ a red bell pepper, ½ a green pepper, and ½ a medium yellow onion. Toss them in the skillet and saute for about 5 minutes or until tender. You should begin to smell them. Now, mix in 1 teaspoon each of garlic, dried basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Saute for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add Balsamic & Toss Chicken
5 6
- Stir in balsamic. Pour in the 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar and stir to mix thoroughly.
- Return the cooked chicken. Lastly, replace the chicken in the skillet and stir everything together. The sauce and spices should coat the meat.
- Serve. When everything is warmed through and coated with the sauce and seasoning, remove from heat and serve immediately.
This makes a delightful lunch or dinner and even better leftovers! Serve over steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or buttered noodles. Enjoy!
To fill out the meal, add a side of roasted broccoli with garlic and parmesan or sauteed asparagus and cherry tomatoes.
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Notes
- Any bell peppers will work. Feel free to use whatever colored bell peppers you have on hand!
- Use white wine. If you’re not into balsamic vinegar, you can easily replace it with white wine. Both add delicious flavor.
- Make sandwiches with extra portions. Leftovers make amazing sandwiches. Just shred the chicken and mix it back in with the pepper mixture. Coat a baguette with some garlic butter and fill it with chicken and peppers. Throw it under the broiler for a few minutes and enjoy. Provolone optional.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
Leftover chicken and peppers can be frozen for up to 4 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. Before reheating, let any frozen leftovers thaw in the fridge overnight.
Reheating Chicken and Peppers
To reheat leftovers, heat a skillet with the bottom just covered with water or broth. Transfer leftovers to the skillet in a single layer and cook until heated through.
🍽️ More Easy Dinners!
- Mexican Cornbread Casserole
- Bisquick Chicken and Dumplings
- Taco Bell Mexican Pizza
- Shake and Bake Porkchops
- Crockpot Cube Steak
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📖 Recipe Card
Chicken And Peppers
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin - divided, use two 1 tablespoon portions)
- 1 lb chicken thighs (boneless, skinless)
- ½ teaspoon salt (to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)
- ½ red bell pepper (sliced)
- ½ green bell pepper (sliced)
- ½ medium yellow onion (sliced)
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Add the first 1 tablespoon portion of extra virgin olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper to taste and place them in the hot skillet.
- Pan fry the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, until fully cooked with an internal temp of 165°F (75°C). Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Next, add the sliced red and green bell peppers and onion to the skillet and saute until tender and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, basil, and optional crushed red pepper flakes, and continue sauteing for an additional 30 seconds. Stir in the balsamic vinegar until well distributed.
- Finally, add the chicken thighs back to the skillet and stir to coat and heat. Remove from heat and serve over white rice.
Notes
- If you don't have red and green bell peppers, you can use whatever color you have on hand.
- If you don't like the taste of balsamic vinegar, you may substitute it for white wine.
- This dish also tastes great served over pasta.
Chris says
This was so good! I try a lot of recipes...this is one of best!! Husband loved it as well. Going to make double next time so I have leftovers. Will try in a wrap next time. Thank you!
Kjcb says
This was very tasty! My husband (who eats hamburgers almost every day) gave it a 9.5 rating.