Description
Bell Pepper and Zucchini Creamy Chicken is a quick and easy one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a rich, creamy sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish is nutritious, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients
- Slice bell peppers and zucchini into thin strips or bite-sized pieces.
- Mince garlic and chop onion.
- Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook the Chicken
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil if needed.
- Sauté onions and garlic until fragrant.
- Add bell peppers and zucchini, cooking for 3-5 minutes until slightly tender but still crisp.
- Prepare the Creamy Sauce
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits.
- Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, allowing the mixture to simmer until it thickens slightly.
- Add red pepper flakes for extra spice, if desired.
- Combine and Serve
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet and mix well, coating everything in the creamy sauce.
- Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and serve hot over rice, pasta, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan.
- Low-Carb/Keto: Serve over cauliflower rice or enjoy as is.
- Extra Vegetables: Add mushrooms, spinach, or cherry tomatoes for more nutrition.
- Spicy Version: Increase red pepper flakes or add cayenne.
- Protein Alternatives: Try shrimp or tofu instead of chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: creamy chicken recipe, one-pan chicken meal, quick chicken dinner, healthy chicken recipe, bell pepper and zucchini dish