Name: Roman Chicken and Bell Peppers Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2½ pounds chicken pieces; 3 bell peppers; 1 onion; 2 cloves garlic; 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; ½ cup dry white wine; 1 cup tomato passata; 1½ teaspoons salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

There’s something absolutely comforting about a good skillet meal, and this Roman Chicken and Bell Peppers Skillet Recipe hits all the right notes. Tender chicken pieces braised alongside sweet bell peppers, onion, and a rich tomato sauce create a dish that’s both hearty and bursting with Mediterranean flavor.

The dish has around eight large chicken pieces covered in thick, shiny reddish-orange sauce, mixed with thick yellow and red bell pepper strips, all sitting together in a white bowl with a smooth matte finish. The chicken pieces look tender with a glossy, stew-like coating, and the sauce covers some parts darker than others, showing a rich texture. The bowl rests on a green fabric, and the background is a white marbled surface with a blurred wooden board and white bread slices above. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Roman Chicken and Bell Peppers Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Roman Chicken and Bell Peppers Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Roman Chicken and Bell Peppers Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m really passionate about recipes that feel like a warm hug after a long day, and this Roman Chicken and Bell Peppers Skillet Recipe is exactly that. The flavors are simple but layered, and it’s one of those dishes where the sauce practically begs for crusty bread to mop it up.

Flavorful Braising: Slow cooking the chicken with peppers and wine lets the flavors develop deeply for an irresistible dish.
One-Pan Wonder: Cleanup is a breeze since everything cooks in a single skillet, saving you time and effort.
Perfect for Any Season: Whether it’s a cozy winter dinner or a relaxed summer meal, this skillet fits right in.
Customizable & Approachable: You can tweak the ingredients and seasoning easily to suit your preferences or pantry staples.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic here comes from a few simple ingredients that complement each other beautifully. Each one adds a unique layer of flavor or texture, so choosing fresh and quality produce really makes a difference. I always recommend shopping for the ripest bell peppers you can find to bring out the sweetness in the dish.

Flat lay of raw chicken pieces with pale pink skin and white fat, three fresh bell peppers in red, yellow, and green sliced into thick strips, one peeled and halved white onion showing its layers, two whole garlic cloves with smooth beige skin, extra virgin olive oil in a small white ceramic bowl showing golden yellow liquid, dry white wine in a small white ceramic bowl filled with pale straw liquid, bright red tomato passata in a small white ceramic bowl, small white ceramic bowls with coarse salt crystals and whole black peppercorns scattered beside them, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken pieces: Using bone-in chicken adds depth of flavor and juicy texture to the skillet.
Bell peppers: Choose a mix of colors for a vibrant look and varied sweetness.
Onion: Adds sweetness and a savory base to the sauce.
Garlic: Fresh cloves elevate the aroma and bring a warm punch.
Extra virgin olive oil: The high-quality olive oil is essential for authentic flavor and browning.
Dry white wine: Helps deglaze the pan and adds acidity to balance richness.
Tomato passata: Provides a smooth, fresh tomato base for the sauce.
Salt & black pepper: Basic seasoning, but crucial to bring out all the flavors.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Roman Chicken and Bell Peppers Skillet Recipe is how easy it is to adapt. I often switch up the peppers depending on what’s in season, or sometimes add a pinch of chili flakes for a subtle heat punch. Don’t hesitate to make it yours!

Variation: I’ve tried swapping white wine for dry vermouth or even chicken broth if I’m out of wine — both work surprisingly well to keep that lovely braising liquid flavor.
Dietary tweak: For a lower-fat version, I remove skin from the chicken, and the sauce remains delicious without losing its soul.
Shortcut: If you’re short on time, starting with pre-cut chicken thighs helps speed things up, but browning well is still key.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Roman Chicken and Bell Peppers Skillet Recipe

A white plate holds a single chicken drumstick and a piece of chicken covered in thick, bright orange-red sauce sitting on top of soft, cooked red and yellow bell pepper strips. The chicken has a glossy texture from the sauce. A silver fork rests on the left side of the plate. In the blurry background, there is a white bowl filled with more chicken pieces and peppers. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a green cloth underneath the plate. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep your chicken and veggies

The first step is all about care and patience. I always trim any excess skin off the chicken and look for tiny feather quills — nothing dangerous but I find it nicer for presentation. Pat your chicken dry with paper towels to avoid hot oil splatters when cooking. Slice your onion and bell peppers into thick strips, and peel the garlic. This prep ensures everything cooks evenly and retains its texture.

Step 2: Brown the chicken

Heat your olive oil over medium-high in a large skillet, then add the chicken pieces. Browning every side thoroughly is worth the extra time — about 10 to 15 minutes — because it locks in flavor and gives the dish that crave-worthy depth. Patience here pays off big time.

Step 3: Soften the aromatics

Add the sliced onion and whole garlic cloves to the skillet with the browned chicken. Cook for around 5 minutes until the onion starts to soften and the garlic releases its fragrance. Keep stirring gently so nothing browns too quickly or burns.

Step 4: Deglaze and simmer

Pour in the dry white wine and let it bubble up — this is where the skillet picks up all those fond bits stuck to the pan. After the alcohol cooks off, add the sliced peppers, tomato passata, salt, and pepper. Stir gently, cover, and reduce the heat to a low simmer. This slow braise for 30 to 40 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally, is where everything melds beautifully.

Step 5: Final reduction and seasoning

Remove the lid and let the sauce gently thicken as you continue turning the chicken, which takes about another 30 minutes. Taste the sauce toward the end — the natural sweetness of the peppers may mean you want to add a little extra salt. Resist the urge to rush; the rich texture of this finishing step is the hallmark of the dish.

Top Tip

From my own kitchen adventures with this Roman Chicken and Bell Peppers Skillet Recipe, these tips have saved me a lot of guesswork and elevated the dish every time.

Dry the Chicken Well: It reduces splatter and helps achieve that gorgeous golden crust.
Don’t Skip Browning: I learned the hard way that skipping this step yields a much less flavorful result.
Adjust Heat Carefully: Keep the simmer gentle so the chicken stays tender and the sauce thickens without burning.
Use Good Olive Oil: It really makes a difference in the dish’s overall taste and aroma.

How to Serve Roman Chicken and Bell Peppers Skillet Recipe

Garnishes

I like topping it with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a lovely color contrast and a fresh herbal note. Sometimes a few grinds of black pepper right before serving add a little extra kick, which I think balances the rich sauce perfectly.

Side Dishes

Crusty bread is a must — trust me, you’ll want to soak up every last drop of that sauce. For something green and light, a simple side salad with lemon vinaigrette or steamed green beans pairs beautifully, balancing the rich, savory flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes serve the chicken over creamy polenta or even a bed of saffron rice. Plating with colorful peppers on top always impresses guests and gives you that restaurant-quality feel at home.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they stay delicious for up to three days. The chicken keeps its tenderness, and the sauce thickens up nicely overnight, making for great next-day meals.

Freezing

This skillet meal freezes well—just let it cool completely, then portion it out and freeze in sturdy containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating, and you’ll still enjoy that fresh-braised flavor.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water if the sauce gets too thick. Microwaving works too, but slow reheating helps keep the chicken juicy and the peppers tender.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?

Yes, you can use boneless chicken pieces if you prefer. Just be aware that bone-in chicken tends to stay juicier and adds more flavor during the braising process, so keep an eye on cooking times to avoid drying out the meat.

What can I substitute if I don’t have white wine?

If you don’t have white wine on hand, dry vermouth or chicken broth work well as substitutes. They provide the necessary acidity and moisture to deglaze the pan and enhance the flavors without overpowering the dish.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! This dish actually tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Simply refrigerate it in an airtight container and reheat gently before serving.

What’s the best way to avoid overcooking the chicken?

Keep the heat at a low simmer once you've added the sauce and peppers, and turn the chicken occasionally. Using bone-in pieces helps maintain moisture, but monitoring the heat and cooking time carefully is key to juicy chicken.

Final Thoughts

This Roman Chicken and Bell Peppers Skillet Recipe holds a special place on my weeknight dinner roster. It’s straightforward, uses ingredients you probably already have, and yields a meal that’s cozy, flavorful, and satisfying. Next time you want a dish that feels both rustic and refined, give this a try—you might just find your new go-to comfort meal.