There’s something wonderfully rustic and comforting about this Chicken Scarpariello with Potatoes and Peppers Recipe that I’m excited to share with you. The combo of crispy roasted potatoes, tender chicken, tangy pickled peppers, and a sauce that’s bursting with flavor makes every bite unforgettable.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken Scarpariello with Potatoes and Peppers Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Chicken Scarpariello with Potatoes and Peppers Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Chicken Scarpariello with Potatoes and Peppers Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, Chicken Scarpariello is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug after a busy day. I love how the potatoes crisp up perfectly while the chicken gets that golden, juicy skin. And the peppers? They add a little kick that just wakes everything up.
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of pickled cherry peppers and savory sausage creates a sauce that’s tangy, spicy, and packed with character.
- Hands-Off Cooking: Roasting everything on one sheet makes this a perfect no-fuss dinner that still feels special.
- Perfect for Entertaining: It’s impressive enough for company yet simple enough to whip up on a weeknight.
- Leftover Friendly: This dish tastes even better the next day, making your future self very happy.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Chicken Scarpariello with Potatoes and Peppers Recipe plays a role in layering flavors and textures. Here’s why each one is essential and a tip or two for picking the best of each.
- Bone-in Skin-on Chicken Thighs: These give you juicy meat with crispy skin — trust me, the texture difference is worth the extra minute of prep.
- Italian Sausage: Adds savory richness and a gentle spice, rounding out the dish’s bold flavors.
- Baby Potatoes: Small and tender, they crisp beautifully when roasted cut side down.
- Olive Oil: The foundation for perfect roasting and searing — a good quality one makes a subtle difference.
- Pickled Cherry Peppers: These bring that signature tangy heat; choose mild or hot depending on your palate.
- Red Wine Vinegar: Helps brighten the sauce and balance out the richness.
- White Wine: Adds depth and acidity to deglaze the pan and create a flavorful base.
- Garlic & Onion: The classic aromatic duo that’s the backbone of many great sauces.
- Fresh Rosemary or Thyme: Gives a fragrant herbal note that lifts the whole dish.
- Red Bell Peppers (Optional): For pops of color and a touch of sweetness to soften the heat.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to balance and enhance all the flavors.
Make It Your Way
I like to tweak this Chicken Scarpariello with Potatoes and Peppers Recipe depending on the season or what I have on hand. Feel free to make it your own — this dish is all about bold flavors and flexibility.
- Variation: When I’m feeding a crowd who prefers milder heat, I swap out the hot cherry peppers for a milder variety or just use their brine sparingly. It still packs tons of flavor without overwhelming anyone.
- Vegetarian Twist: I’ve tried replacing sausage with hearty mushrooms and it still works well, just add a splash of soy sauce for umami depth.
- Seasonal Swap: Throw in some roasted autumn squash or swap the baby potatoes for sweet potatoes to keep things cozy in cooler months.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken Scarpariello with Potatoes and Peppers Recipe
Step 1: Roast the Potatoes to Crispy Perfection
Start by prepping those baby potatoes: halving them and tossing in olive oil, salt, and pepper. I always arrange them cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet — this little trick helps them get that golden, irresistible crisp. Pop them in a 425°F oven and roast for 20-25 minutes. You want them nicely browned but not burnt. Once roasted, leave them right on the sheet; they’ll go back in the oven with everything else later.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken and Sausage for Maximum Flavor
While the potatoes roast, season your chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Heat some olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then sear the chicken skin-side down until golden and crispy — about 5-6 minutes per side. Lay them on a plate once done. Next up, brown the sausage pieces in the same pan to soak up those lovely browned bits. Set them aside too.
Step 3: Build the Flavor-Packed Sauce
Drop in your finely chopped onion and cook until soft, around 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic, cooking for just another minute until fragrant — don’t let it burn! Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up every tasty bit stuck to the bottom. Let it simmer a couple of minutes to reduce slightly, then add chicken broth, red wine vinegar, oregano, red pepper flakes if you want heat, pickled cherry peppers and their brine, sliced red bell peppers, and your fresh herb sprig. Stir it all up to marry the flavors.
Step 4: Bring It All Together & Roast
Now, take your baking sheet with the roasted potatoes and nestle in the seared chicken and sausage. Spoon over the sauce and peppers evenly. Pop it back in the oven at 425°F for another 20-25 minutes, or until your chicken reaches 165°F internally and the sauce thickens a little. This final roast melds all the flavors beautifully and crisps everything up just right.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve with crusty bread or pasta to soak up every drop of that saucy goodness. I love adding a squeeze of lemon at the table for a little brightness — it really cuts through the richness.
Top Tip
Chicken Scarpariello can seem intimidating with its layers of flavors, but trust me, I’ve learned a few tricks that really help nail it every time without stress.
- Roast the Potatoes First: I've made the mistake of skipping this, and the potatoes end up soggy swimming in sauce — not the vibe! Roast them separately first to get that amazing texture.
- Don’t Skip the Brine: Adding the cherry peppers’ brine to the sauce is a game changer; it lifts the entire dish and ties everything together.
- Sear Chicken Skin-Side Down: This step crisps up the skin perfectly — make sure your pan is hot and don’t move it too soon.
- Use a Rimmed Baking Sheet: This helps contain the sauce so nothing escapes in the oven and makes cleanup easier.
How to Serve Chicken Scarpariello with Potatoes and Peppers Recipe
Garnishes
I’m a big fan of fresh chopped parsley for that pop of green and freshness—it balances the richness perfectly. Also, a few lemon wedges on the side let you add a splash of acidity that brightens every bite.
Side Dishes
Serve this alongside a simple green salad or roasted seasonal veggies. If you want to keep it cozy, buttered pasta or a chunk of crusty Italian bread is the way to go—it’s perfect for mopping up that flavorful sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist at dinner parties, try plating each chicken thigh on a bed of the potatoes and peppers, drizzle some sauce artfully, and garnish with microgreens or extra herbs. It looks restaurant-worthy but takes no extra effort.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so if you can wait, you’re in for a real treat.
Freezing
Freezing works well too — just pack it tightly in a freezer-safe container and thaw overnight in the fridge. I usually freeze if I’ve made a big batch but still want to enjoy it later without any sacrifice on flavor or texture.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet or oven to keep the chicken skin from getting soggy again. Avoid microwaving because it can make the potatoes chewy and the chicken a bit rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You absolutely can use boneless chicken, but keep in mind that bone-in, skin-on thighs offer more flavor and juiciness. The skin crisps up beautifully and keeps the meat tender during roasting, which boneless parts sometimes lack.
While the cherry peppers and their brine really define this dish, if you don’t have them on hand, you can substitute with a mix of fresh bell peppers and a splash of red wine vinegar with a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. The flavor won't be quite the same, but it will stay close to the spirit of the recipe.
Definitely! Use hot cherry peppers instead of mild ones and add extra red pepper flakes to the sauce. Just be mindful if you’re cooking for kids or guests who prefer milder flavors—you can always serve more hot sauce on the side for them to adjust at the table.
Yes! Because this dish keeps so well and even improves after a day or two, it’s ideal for meal prepping. Just portion out into containers after cooking and store in the fridge. Reheat gently to enjoy later in the week.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Scarpariello with Potatoes and Peppers Recipe is a genuine staple in my kitchen — it’s that perfect blend of comforting, flavorful, and surprisingly easy to pull off. I can’t recommend it enough for a dinner that feels like a celebration of simple, honest ingredients working together. Give it a try, and you’ll soon see why it’s become such a favorite in my house and hopefully yours too.
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Chicken Scarpariello with Potatoes and Peppers Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
Chicken Scarpariello is a flavorful Italian-American dish featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and Italian sausage roasted with crispy baby potatoes in a tangy, spicy sauce made from white wine, pickled cherry peppers, and fresh herbs. This hearty one-pan meal combines searing and roasting techniques to deliver a perfect balance of crispy skin, tender meat, and vibrant sauce, garnished with fresh parsley and optional lemon wedges for brightness.
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Sausage:
- 1½ pounds bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 pound Italian sausage (cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Potatoes:
- 1 cup baby potatoes (halved)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Sauce:
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium or no sodium added)
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 cup jarred pickled cherry peppers (halved; mild or hot)
- ½ cup brine from the cherry peppers
- 2 medium red bell peppers (sliced; optional)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary or thyme
For Garnish:
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
- Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for roasting the potatoes and final cooking.
- Roast Potatoes: Toss the halved baby potatoes with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper. Arrange them cut side down on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove from oven but keep potatoes on the baking sheet.
- Sear Chicken: Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down until golden, about 6 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Brown Sausage: In the same pan, brown the Italian sausage pieces until cooked through. Remove and set aside with chicken.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add finely chopped onion to the pan and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- Deglaze and Simmer Sauce: Pour in white wine, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Let simmer for 3 minutes until slightly reduced. Add chicken broth, red wine vinegar, oregano, red pepper flakes if using, pickled cherry peppers, their brine, sliced red bell peppers, and rosemary or thyme. Stir well to combine.
- Combine and Roast: Transfer seared chicken, browned sausage, and sauce to the baking sheet with roasted potatoes. Spread evenly. Return to the oven and roast for 25 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature and sauce thickens slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread or pasta to soak up the sauce. Add lemon wedges to squeeze over for extra brightness if desired.
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for best flavor and texture; boneless is possible but less satisfying.
- Select mild or hot pickled cherry peppers based on heat preference; hot peppers add more spice.
- Do not omit the pepper brine; it is key to the sauce's vibrant flavor.
- Roasting potatoes separately first ensures they stay crispy and not soggy in sauce.
- This dish makes excellent leftovers and flavors often deepen after resting overnight.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
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