Description
Chicken Scarpariello is a vibrant Italian-American dish featuring crispy, golden chicken pieces simmered with tangy red wine vinegar, savory herbs, and a mix of bell and hot cherry peppers. The combination of textures and bold, balanced flavors makes it a hearty and crowd-pleasing meal perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Chicken
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or drumsticks (about 3-4 pieces)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Vegetables & Herbs
- Bell peppers, sliced (1-2 medium-sized, any color)
- Hot cherry peppers, sliced (adjust quantity to heat preference)
- Garlic cloves, minced (3-4 cloves)
- Dried oregano (1 tsp)
- Dried rosemary (1 tsp)
Liquids & Fats
- Olive oil (3 tbsp, for browning and sautéing)
- Red wine vinegar (1/4 cup)
- Chicken broth (1/2 to 3/4 cup)
Seasonings
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat each piece of chicken dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure a crispy crust when cooking. Season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Brown the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken pieces skin-side down and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Flip and brown the other side for another 5 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté peppers and garlic: In the same skillet, add the sliced bell peppers and hot cherry peppers. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened, then add minced garlic, dried oregano, and dried rosemary. Stir until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Deglaze and create sauce: Pour in the red wine vinegar and chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan with a spatula or wooden spoon to lift caramelized bits. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce slightly reduces and thickens.
- Combine and simmer: Return the browned chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the pepper and sauce mixture. Cover and simmer on low heat for 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the chicken to cook through completely.
- Final touches: Remove the lid and increase heat for a few minutes if you want to thicken the sauce further or crisp the chicken skin more. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed before serving.
Notes
- Dry the chicken well before cooking to ensure crispy skin.
- Use bone-in, skin-on pieces for juicier, more flavorful results.
- Do not overcrowd the skillet when browning chicken; cook in batches if necessary.
- Simmer the dish gently over low heat to tenderize the meat and develop deep flavors.
- If the sauce tastes too sharp from vinegar, balance it with a pinch of sugar or more chicken broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Chicken Scarpariello, Italian-American chicken, crispy chicken recipe, vinegar chicken, spicy chicken dish
