Creamy Banana Pepper Chicken
Creamy Banana Pepper Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Bacon
- 6 slices bacon
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Creamy Sauce
- 1 red onion, medium, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup jarred banana peppers, sliced
- 2 tablespoons banana pepper brine
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
For Serving and Garnish
- 1 cup orzo pasta, dry
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet, reserving the bacon grease in the pan. Crumble the cooked bacon and set aside.
⏱️ 8 min
- 2
While the bacon cooks, pound the chicken breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Cook for approximately 5 minutes per side, or until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate; any accumulated juices should be reserved.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
To the drippings remaining in the skillet, add the sliced red onion and sliced banana peppers. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the red onion softens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the banana pepper brine.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Pour the heavy cream into the skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Return the partially cooked chicken breasts, along with any reserved juices, to the simmering sauce. Continue to cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce has slightly thickened.
⏱️ 7 min
- 7
While the chicken finishes cooking, prepare the orzo pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
⏱️ 10 min
- 8
Once the chicken is fully cooked, transfer it to a serving platter. Stir the crumbled feta cheese into the creamy sauce in the skillet until melted and combined. Serve the chicken over orzo pasta, spooning the creamy banana pepper sauce generously over the top. Garnish with the reserved crispy bacon bits and chopped fresh parsley.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Creamy Banana Pepper Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Bacon
- 6 slices bacon
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
For the Creamy Sauce
- 1 red onion, medium, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup jarred banana peppers, sliced
- 2 tablespoons banana pepper brine
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
For Serving and Garnish
- 1 cup orzo pasta, dry
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet, reserving the bacon grease in the pan. Crumble the cooked bacon and set aside.
⏱️ 8 min - 2
While the bacon cooks, pound the chicken breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Cook for approximately 5 minutes per side, or until browned but not fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate; any accumulated juices should be reserved.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
To the drippings remaining in the skillet, add the sliced red onion and sliced banana peppers. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the red onion softens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the banana pepper brine.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Pour the heavy cream into the skillet. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Return the partially cooked chicken breasts, along with any reserved juices, to the simmering sauce. Continue to cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce has slightly thickened.
⏱️ 7 min - 7
While the chicken finishes cooking, prepare the orzo pasta according to package directions. Drain well.
⏱️ 10 min - 8
Once the chicken is fully cooked, transfer it to a serving platter. Stir the crumbled feta cheese into the creamy sauce in the skillet until melted and combined. Serve the chicken over orzo pasta, spooning the creamy banana pepper sauce generously over the top. Garnish with the reserved crispy bacon bits and chopped fresh parsley.
⏱️ 5 min