This Chicken Scarpariello recipe is a tasty skillet dinner made with chicken, sausage, peppers and mushrooms. Prepared on the stovetop and then baked for 20 minutes, this chicken scarpariello recipe is a great Italian dish.
This post may contain affiliate links of which I may or may not be paid a small commission at no cost to you.
As of yesterday I'm not sure I had ever heard of Chicken Scarpariello, though I have heard of chicken with Italian sausage and peppers.
It appears that Chicken Scarpariello is a dish that contains chicken and hot peppers. Maybe mushrooms. Maybe wine. And some are with potatoes, similar to Chicken Vesuvio.
It is an Italian American dish and that's about as far as I got. There are many versions of chicken scarpariello.
There is Rao's chicken scarpariello and Giada's chicken scarpariello and Mario Batali's chicken scarpariello. There is even Carmine's chicken scarpariello recipe. Well, you get the picture. And each recipe is a bit different than the next.
So now it's time for Abbe's chicken scarpariello!
Scarpariello means "shoemaker" in Italian, but yet this is considered an Italian American dish and apparently not found in Italy.
Though I do not know how this dish got this name, I can tell you that this is a great meal to have after a long day at work. You can even prepare it ahead and then just pop it in the oven for 20 minutes when you get home.
Why I Love This Chicken Scarpariello Recipe
Chicken Scarpariello makes one tasty dinner.
And with chicken and sausage there is something that should please everyone.
It's a recipe that's easy to play around with.
Want to add potatoes? Be my guest?
More pepperoncini? For sure. Or add some spicy cherry peppers.
Want it saucier? Just add more liquid.
Get the picture? This tasty chicken Scarpariello recipe can be adapted in so many ways.
FAQ's
What is Chicken Scarpariello?
Many contain some hot pepperoncini or spicy cherry peppers, which I also love. I added capers and mushrooms and a touch of tomato paste.
For simplicity, I make this recipe with boneless chicken breasts. One could also use boneless thighs. But bone-in chicken pieces work well, too, though cooking times will have to be adjusted.
What to serve with Chicken Scarpariello with sausage and peppers?
A green salad would offset the rich flavors of this dish and no one would turn up their nose at garlic bread. But bread is totally not necessary, I say with tongue in cheek.
Can chicken scarpariello be made ahead?
Ingredients for Chicken Scarpariello Recipe with Sausage
My chicken scarpariello recipe is full of umami which makes this skillet dinner an amazing meal that will quickly become a family favorite. Seasonings vary from recipe to recipe. I've spied rosemary in some, but I used oregano in mine.
Pounded boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs or bone-in chicken parts of your choice
Flour and seasonings like oregano and garlic powder, salt and pepper- Lightly dredging in flour helps keep the chicken moist and gives a beautiful golden color
Butter and Olive oil- Butter adds extra flavor and olive oil helps increase the smoke-point of the two.
Chopped Garlic- Can't have an Italian dish without garlic!
Mushrooms and Diced Peppers- Though many chicken scarpariello recipes use potatoes, I love the flavor and meatiness of the mushrooms.
Italian Sausages- 1 per person. I prefer Boulder spicy Italian sausage if you can find it.
Pepperoncini and capers-Many chicken scarpariello recipes use hot cherry peppers or peppadews. I always have pepperoncini on hand so that's what I use. Capers add an extra dimension but are optional.
White wine and chicken stock, tomato paste- These make a great sauce and add flavor to the chicken. Red wine is allowable, too. Don't forget to add some oregano and red pepper flakes to taste. Many chicken scarpariello recipes use rosemary instead of oregano.
How To Make this Chicken Scarpariello Recipe
In just a few simple steps this cicken scarpariello recipe is yours!
Begin by dredging the chicken of your choice in flour and seasonings.
Brown the chicken in the combination of olive oil and butter. Do not worry about cooking all the way through as it will finish baking in the oven. Remove from skillet and add sausages to brown also.
Saute the mushrooms and peppers, adding more oil if necessary. Remove and set aside.
Add the tomato paste and cook briefly until it is dark red. Add the broth and wine and deglaze the skillet. Add the pepperoncini and capers.
Now add back the chicken and sausage and mushrooms and peppers. Spoon a bit of sauce over the top and then place in preheated oven to finish baking.
I've been making a lot of chicken lately and can assure you this dish is a keeper. This chicken scarpariello recipe is loaded with a garlic, peppery taste. Not black pepper but more a tangy vinegar wine like taste from the pepperoncinis and the wine.
What to Serve with this Chicken Scarpariello Recipe
Keep it simple. This is my favorite Italian salad.
Garlic bread or garlic rolls made from pizza dough.
Serve over pasta or polenta.
Dessert? Perhaps another glass of wine, too.
Manservant, Mr. Technology Capitalist, declared it really good. Like when will I make it again good. Trust me. This will make any day great!
I know I told you what a simple Sunday it would be, well, it really wasn't.
I made a recipe of macaroons and matzoh toffee to send to my daughter, did a load of laundry and then cut the caramels from the day before. I then started deciphering the chicken recipe for this dish and found it contained a cup of butter. OMG! Even I know that is not good for you, unless it is in the form of a cookie.
After starting my new original Abbe's chicken scarpariello recipe, I ran over to the neighbor's house to see their new black lab puppy, Ellie. If that dog ever disappears they will know where to look. Such a cute puppy and sooo smart.
Still needs to work on that house training thing, but she's just 12 weeks old. After almost an hour and a half of feeding her doggie treats and having her lick my face and a few glasses of wine, I went home where my dogs totally inhaled me. They were surely upset that I didn't bring them!
I then spent 2 hours wrapping caramels. I am not kidding. The caramels literally took 15 minutes to make AND clean up, but 2 hours to make them pretty with little purple bows. As long as she sells them to make money for her run, I'm OK.
By the time I finished it was 10:30. So no-it wasn't a really simple Sunday. But I'll keep working on it!
Hope you love this chicken scarpariello recipe as much as we do.
With the tangy sauce and both chicken and sausage, I'm not sure how you can go wrong!
More Chicken Recipes
I'd love to hear if you make this recipe!
Please share a review or rate the recipe,
and be sure to tag me on social!
Recipe
Chicken Scarpariello
- Prep Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 Servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stove Top/Oven
- Cuisine: Italian American
Description
Chicken Scarpariello is an Italian American dish made with chicken and sausage and peppers. This is a winner!
Ingredients
- 2 pounded boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 T flour
- 1 T butter plus 1 T butter
- 1 T olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 c sliced mushrooms
- 1 yellow pepper diced
- 2 Italian link sausages (Mild or hot) about ¼ lb
- 2 T sliced pepperoncini or chopped pepperoncinis ,drained
- 2 T capers drained
- ½ c white wine
- ½ c chicken stock
- 1 ½ T tomato paste
- ½ t oregano plus more for seasoning chicken
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat 1 T butter and 1 T olive oil over medium heat in cast iron skillet. Add garlic and cook until slightly light gold.
- Season your pounded boneless chicken breasts with lots of dried oregano and salt and pepper. Lightly dust both sides with flour.
- Put into hot skillet and brown them on both sides. Add the sausages and brown. Remove from skillet.
- Add peppers and mushrooms and cook a few minutes. Remove from skillet.
- Add 1 T butter. Whisk in tomato paste. Melt and add pepperoncini and capers. Cook a few minutes and then add wine, stock, pinch of red pepper flakes and ½ t of oregano. Cook a few minutes and then add back chicken and sausage, mushrooms and peppers. Spoon a little sauce over chicken before putting in oven.
- Bake for about 20 minutes at 375. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve over pasta for a perfect dinner. Add a salad and garlic bread, if you'd like.
Notes
P.S. You can make this for more people if you’d like. I figured half of a chicken breast and one link of sausage per person. You do the math! Feel free to use spaghetti or a pasta of your choice to serve this over. Orzo would also work and I think it would also be great with polenta or mashed potatoes. Ummm. I think I’ll try that next!
Sandra Jennings says
I've made this recipe several times and we love it. The last time I threw some homemade meatballs in to the skillet before I put it in the oven. Loved the meatball add on so much I will be doing it again.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks so much Sandra! I think the addition of meatballs sounds fabulous and I can't wait to try! Really appreciate you letting me know!
Susan says
I've never heard of it either but I love your Abbe's version! I'll look forward to trying this soon!
sippitysup says
Italian-American chicken and sausage is a real winner. GREG
Eha says
Writing from outside the States methinks there are a number of dishes prepared there of which many of us have never heard 🙂 ! 'Scarpariello' sounds so operatically dramatic: although I have not thought of melding chicken and sausage thus in the one dish - interesting and a 'must-try'! Would use chicken thighs and meant to add couscous until I saw Chgo John's comment from way back about using polenta . . and that it will be !! And reading John's comment made me look at the date and realize this has indeed been a firm favourite for quite a few years . . .
Abbe Odenwalder says
I have been making this awhile! Even made it for dinner last night. Probably should ave taken new photos, but oh well! Chicken thighs would work well. Thanks Eha.
Liz says
I made this years ago, but you've made me want to add it to the menu again ASAP! Your version is a winner!
Gerlinde @ sunnycovechef says
I never heard of this dish either but it looks so good and gives the chicken so much flavor. Pinned!
Roksa says
My husband went crazy when he saw what I did. Thank you for recipe
Abbe Odenwalder says
I hope that was a good thing!
John / Kitchen Riffs says
STILL a dish I haven't made! Although I'm sure --positive! -- that your version is by far the best. 🙂 I do need to make this -- we've been on a chicken kick lately!
Holly says
I can almost smell this dish cooking-- I bet the aroma wafted through the house. Looks great!
Roberto says
This was absolutely Delicious!! My Wife and I loved this. Thank You for sharing!!
Abbe Odenwalder says
I'm so happy you enjoyed it Roberto! You made my day! 🙂
Mike says
Sounds and looks delightful. What would you serve with this ti enhance all of these grand flavors?
Abbe Odenwalder says
Mike, I would suggest a simple, undressed spaghetti, perhaps just with a bit of garlic and oil or polenta, buttered noodles or orzo. It would even be good with roasted potatoes. There isn't a lot of sauce, so double the sauce ingredients if you like it saucy!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks Cathleen for stopping by. This is definitely one of my new favorites!
Cathleen says
Oh yum! I'm always looking for more recipes with chicken. This looks fantastic!
Abbe Odenwalder says
I love the oregano and the peppers. They make this really good. And wrapping caramels is a pain but I knew my daughter wouldn't do it!
Laura Dembowski says
I've never had chicken scarpariello, but it sounds good! Wrapping caramels is such a pain. But they taste so good that it's worth it.
Abbe Odenwalder says
From what I could tell it is Italian American. The pepperocinis and capers gave it a ton of flavor. Thanks Purabi.
Purabi Naha says
I am sure, this would be a great dish, as it has chicken and sausages. Chicken Scarpariello is such a new name for me: is it a traditional Italian dish? Wow, I am impressed.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Amy, you will love it! But I just came from your site (TRUE) and I want those cute little bunnies. They are to die for!
Amy says
I don't think I've every tried Chicken Scarpariello either. But I'm loving what's in it and yours looks so good I want some right now...oh...and I just had dinner too. But your pictures and descriptions are making me very hungry. 😉
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks for stopping by! You will enjoy it!
Shut Up and Cook says
I've never heard of this dish either, but great combo of flavors. Thanks for sharing!
Abbe Odenwalder says
Thanks so much Chicago John. It is nice to know someone knows of it! Honestly, it was great and I thank you for your generous comment. the recipe is very good and I know you will enjoy it!
Angie, you will love it too!
And Ronnie, is this similar to your recipe? I'd be curious to see. Make your husband happy and make it soon!
RonnieVFein says
This is one of my husband's favorite dishes. A blast from the past but enduring because it's delicious.
Angie's Recipes says
New to me too. It looks hearty and flavoursome. I am sure I will love it.
ChgoJohn says
I learned of this dish ages ago on some cooking show and never would have thought to add sausage and chicken together in the same pot on my own. Sure wish I had, though,, for it is a very good dish. I normally serve it over polenta, like you suggest trying, but have also used pasta or buttered noodles. Never, though, did I use a cup of butter in any part of the recipe. This was a great post, Abbe, and your recipe delicious.
Abbe Odenwalder says
I never had either. Still not sure if it's real. However I can tell you it was very good. And as for puppies or kittens-seeing them always makes me want one, or two,or...
Kitchen Riffs says
This is a new dish to me - I don't believe I've ever heard of it. Lots of good stuff in it, though - sounds delish. Sounds like your Sunday was lots of fun, even though it was somewhat complicated. New puppies (or kittens) are such a hoot, aren't they?
Abbe Odenwalder says
Oh Mr. TC! It is a test and you are paying attention. OK, it took one of us 1 and 1/2 hours and two of us a half hour. You are so cute.
Anonymous says
how about putting calories on your meals, health vs. unhealthy and for conscious eaters.
Abbe Odenwalder says
I would love to, it you know a simple way for me to figure it out!
technology capitalists says
It took YOU 2 hours to wrap the candy???
I think the polenta version should be tested before you go recommending here? There could be some variables that you need to work out! 🙂