This creamy chicken and pea skillet recipe is a delicious and easy Mediterranean dinner idea perfect for busy weeknights. Enjoy a flavorful Mediterranean meal with simple ingredients and minimal cleanup.
This dish is designed to bring a taste of the Mediterranean to your table without requiring hours in the kitchen, making it ideal for those busy evenings when you still want a wholesome, homemade meal.
Discover the details of how to create this comforting and satisfying skillet dinner that the whole family will love. Its straightforward approach ensures that even beginner cooks can achieve fantastic results, making it a reliable addition to your weekly meal rotation.
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Creamy Chicken and Pea Skillet
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This creamy chicken and pea skillet is a delicious and easy Mediterranean dinner idea perfect for busy weeknights. Enjoy a flavorful Mediterranean meal with simple ingredients and minimal cleanup. This dish is designed to bring a taste of the Mediterranean to your table without requiring hours in the kitchen, making it ideal for those busy evenings when you still want a wholesome, homemade meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Prepare the Chicken and Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breast to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s lightly browned on all sides and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this stage, as it will finish cooking in the sauce.
2. 2. Saute the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until it softens and becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
3. 3. Deglaze and Build the Sauce Base: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This step, called deglazing, adds a lot of flavor to your sauce. Bring the broth to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.
4. 4. Add Cream and Chicken: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream until well combined with the broth. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce.
5. 5. Simmer and Thicken: Let the mixture simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly to your desired consistency. The sauce should be coating the back of a spoon. If it gets too thick, you can add a splash more chicken broth.
6. 6. Stir in Peas and Finish: Add the frozen peas to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, just until they are heated through and tender-crisp. Avoid overcooking the peas, as they can become mushy.
7. 7. Serve and Garnish: Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if necessary. Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if using, and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: main dish
- Method: skillet
- Cuisine: mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
Keywords: chicken, peas, creamy, skillet, mediterranean, weeknight, easy, dinner, one-pan, comfort food
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This creamy chicken and pea skillet is a true weeknight hero, perfect for anyone looking for a flavorful, comforting meal without a lot of fuss. It’s designed for busy individuals and families who appreciate good food but don’t have endless time for cooking. You’ll love how quickly it comes together, making it an excellent choice after a long day at work or school. The one-pan nature of this recipe also means minimal cleanup, which is always a huge win. It’s a fantastic way to introduce Mediterranean-inspired flavors into your diet, offering a balanced meal with lean protein and vegetables. Serve it up for a cozy family dinner, or portion it out for delicious lunches throughout the week.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients ahead of time makes the cooking process much smoother. This recipe uses common pantry staples and fresh ingredients that are easy to find at any grocery store.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
For simple substitutions, if you don’t have chicken breasts, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used, though they may require a few extra minutes to cook through. If you prefer a lighter sauce, you can swap half-and-half for heavy cream, but the sauce might be slightly less rich. Vegetable broth can be used in place of chicken broth for a vegetarian-friendly base, though the overall flavor profile will shift slightly. Feel free to adjust the herbs to your liking; fresh herbs can always be used instead of dried, just double the amount.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
This recipe is designed for speed and efficiency, making it perfect for those busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30-35 minutes
These times are estimates and can vary slightly depending on how quickly you chop your ingredients and the heat of your stove. The goal is to get a delicious, wholesome meal on the table in under 35 minutes, and this skillet dinner delivers exactly that.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Creating this creamy chicken and pea skillet is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to achieve a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Prepare the Chicken and Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breast to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s lightly browned on all sides and mostly cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. The chicken doesn’t need to be fully cooked at this stage, as it will finish cooking in the sauce.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until it softens and becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
- Deglaze and Build the Sauce Base: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This step, called deglazing, adds a lot of flavor to your sauce. Bring the broth to a simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to reduce slightly.
- Add Cream and Chicken: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the heavy cream until well combined with the broth. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce.
- Simmer and Thicken: Let the mixture simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly to your desired consistency. The sauce should be coating the back of a spoon. If it gets too thick, you can add a splash more chicken broth.
- Stir in Peas and Finish: Add the frozen peas to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, just until they are heated through and tender-crisp. Avoid overcooking the peas, as they can become mushy.
- Serve and Garnish: Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings if necessary. Remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if using, and serve immediately.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
This creamy chicken and pea skillet is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can add a handful of small pasta shapes, like orzo or ditalini, directly into the simmering broth in step 3, allowing it to cook alongside the sauce. This makes it a more complete one-pot meal that kids often love.
If you’re looking to boost the vegetable content, consider adding some chopped spinach or kale during the last few minutes of cooking, allowing it to wilt into the sauce. Sliced mushrooms or bell peppers can also be sautéed with the onions for extra flavor and nutrients. For a touch of zing, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can brighten up the flavors beautifully.
This dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Serve it over fluffy white rice, quinoa, or couscous to soak up all that delicious creamy sauce. A simple side salad with a light vinaigrette or some crusty bread for dipping would also complement it perfectly. For a more substantial meal, consider roasted asparagus or steamed green beans. This recipe is also great for meal prepping; portion it out into containers for quick lunches throughout the week.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls, but knowing them ahead of time can help you achieve perfect results every time.
One frequent mistake is overcooking the chicken. Chicken breasts can dry out quickly, becoming tough and stringy. To avoid this, cook the chicken just until it’s lightly browned and mostly cooked through in the initial step, then let it finish cooking gently in the simmering sauce. This keeps it moist and tender.
Another common error is burning the garlic. Garlic cooks much faster than onions. Always add it after the onions have softened and cook it for only about 30-60 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly. Burnt garlic will impart a bitter taste to your entire dish.
Over-reducing the sauce can make it too thick and heavy. Keep an eye on the sauce as it simmers. If it starts to get too thick before the chicken is fully cooked, you can always add a splash more chicken broth or even a little water to thin it out to your desired consistency. Conversely, if your sauce is too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.
Finally, overcooking the peas can turn them mushy and dull in color. Frozen peas only need a couple of minutes to heat through and become tender-crisp. Add them in the very last stage of cooking, just before serving, to maintain their vibrant color and texture.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
This creamy chicken and pea skillet is a fantastic meal to make ahead or enjoy as leftovers. Proper storage ensures it remains delicious.
To store leftovers, allow the skillet to cool completely at room temperature for no more than two hours. Transfer the chicken and sauce to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
When reheating, the sauce might thicken slightly. You can reheat individual portions gently in the microwave, stirring occasionally, until heated through. Alternatively, reheat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce back to its original consistency if needed. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Avoid boiling the sauce vigorously when reheating, as this can cause the cream to separate.
While you can technically freeze this dish, creamy sauces, especially those made with heavy cream, can sometimes separate or become grainy after thawing and reheating. If you plan to freeze, it’s best to use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, or consider adding the cream and peas fresh after thawing the chicken and broth base. Freeze the cooked chicken and broth mixture (before adding cream and peas) in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
