Italian Chicken Skillet Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This Italian Chicken Skillet Recipe is a cozy one-pan dinner made with tender chicken, sautéed mushrooms, briny olives, and artichokes simmered in a rich tomato wine sauce, then served over spaghetti for a meal that feels both rustic and comforting. If you love restaurant-style chicken dinners like Chicken Francaise or cozy skillet meals like Chicken Scarpariello, this one’s right in your wheelhouse.

What makes this recipe work so well is how quickly big Italian flavors build in one pan — browning the chicken adds depth, the red wine and balsamic bring brightness, and the tomatoes create a silky sauce that clings beautifully to pasta. It’s hearty enough for Sunday supper but easy enough for a weeknight when you want something that feels a little special without a lot of fuss.

Grab a loaf of garlic bread and let’s make your kitchen smell like an Italian restaurant tonight.

✨ Before You Begin

✨ Use a wide skillet. You’ll want enough surface area to brown the chicken and simmer the sauce without crowding, which helps build flavor instead of steaming everything.
✨ Cut chicken into large chunks. Bigger pieces stay juicy while the sauce simmers and don’t dry out by the time everything comes together.
✨ Have pasta cooking while the sauce finishes. Timing it this way means everything is hot and ready to serve as soon as the skillet is done.
✨ Taste before serving. Between olives, artichokes, and tomatoes, salt levels can vary — always adjust at the end.

Ingredients + Key Notes

This is just a quick glance at what you’ll need. For exact measurements and the full ingredient list, head down to the recipe card below.

• Chicken breasts: Cutting them into chunks gives you more surface area for browning and helps the chicken absorb more sauce flavor.
• Crimini mushrooms: These add meaty depth and pair beautifully with tomato and wine; white mushrooms work too, but crimini bring more flavor.
• Red wine: Adds richness and helps deglaze the pan after sautéing, pulling up all those browned bits for a deeper sauce.
• Balsamic vinegar: Just a little brightens the tomatoes and balances the savory ingredients without making the sauce taste sweet.
• Artichoke hearts: Bring mild tang and tenderness that cut through the richness of the sauce.
• Pimiento-stuffed green olives: Add briny, savory pops that make the whole dish taste more “Italian-restaurant style.”
• Tomatoes + tomato sauce: Using both gives you body and structure while keeping the sauce from becoming too thick or heavy.
• Dried basil and oregano: Classic Italian seasoning combo that supports the tomatoes and wine without overpowering the other ingredients.
• Spaghetti: Long noodles are perfect for catching all that glossy sauce, but any pasta you love will work.

🥣 How to Make Italian Chicken Skillet

Heat olive oil in a large skillet and brown the seasoned chicken just until golden, then transfer it to a plate. In the same pan, sauté the onion until soft, add the garlic, then stir in the mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and become tender.

Pour in the tomatoes, tomato sauce, sugar, wine, balsamic vinegar, and dried herbs, then let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes so the flavors can meld. Stir in the artichokes, olives, and browned chicken, and continue cooking until the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce is thick and rich. Serve hot over spaghetti with plenty of Parmesan and, if you’re anything like us, lots of Italian bread on the side.

⭐ Pro Tips

⭐ Don’t overcook the chicken in the first step. It finishes cooking in the sauce, so just aim for golden edges, not fully done pieces.
⭐ Let the sauce simmer. Those 10 minutes matter — that’s when the wine cooks down and the tomatoes deepen in flavor.
⭐ Add pasta water if needed. If your sauce thickens too much, a splash of starchy pasta water loosens it while keeping everything silky.
⭐ Fresh herbs are great if you have them. A little chopped basil or parsley at the end adds brightness and makes it extra pretty.

Storing + Reheating + Freezing + Make-Ahead Tips

Storing

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep pasta and sauce together or separate, depending on how saucy you like leftovers.

Reheating

• Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if needed. For larger portions, cover with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes. If stored in a glass or ceramic dish, let it come to room temperature before reheating to prevent shattering, or transfer to an oven-safe pan.

Freezing

• The chicken and sauce freeze well for up to 2 months, but freeze without the pasta for best texture. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Make-Ahead

• You can make the sauce and chicken up to 2 days ahead and reheat gently before serving over freshly cooked pasta.

Food Safety

• If you’d like more info on food safety, check out this link.

🍽️ What to Serve With Italian Chicken Skillet

Fresh + Crisp Sides

A bright, simple side helps balance the rich tomato wine sauce. Mediterranean Salad, House Salad with Red Wine Vinaigrette add freshness and crunch, while Sheet Pan Mediterranean Vegetables or Simple Roasted Peppers are great warm, herby options if you want another veggie on the table.

Cozy Breads

You’ll want something to soak up every drop of that sauce. Garlic Bread, copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks, or Practically No Knead Bread are all perfect choices for rounding out this dinner.

Sweet Finishes

Finish on a classic Italian-inspired note with Tiramisu, easy Cannoli Dip, or rich Espresso Brownies for a cozy, restaurant-style meal at home.

✦ Frequently Asked Questions

✦ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs work beautifully and stay extra juicy. Just cut them into similar-size chunks so they cook evenly.

✦ What kind of red wine is best for cooking?
Use a dry red wine you’d enjoy drinking, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Pinot Noir. Avoid sweet wines, which can make the sauce taste syrupy.

✦ Can I make this without wine?
You can substitute chicken broth with an extra splash of balsamic vinegar for acidity, but the flavor won’t be quite as rich or complex.

✦ Does this reheat well?
Yes — the flavors actually deepen as it sits, making leftovers even better the next day.

Still have questions? Drop them in the comments — I love helping you bake + cook with confidence! 💗

🇮🇹 More Italian-Style Chicken Dinners You’ll Love

If you’re craving more cozy Italian-inspired chicken dinners, try one of these next:

• Chicken Saltimbocca — Prosciutto-wrapped chicken with sage and a silky wine sauce that tastes fancy but comes together fast.
• Chicken Vesuvio — Juicy chicken and crispy potatoes roasted together in a savory garlic-wine sauce for a hearty, classic Italian-American dinner.
• Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken — Tender chicken in a rich, creamy sun-dried tomato sauce that’s always a family favorite.
• Chicken Murphy — Spicy, saucy, and loaded with peppers and potatoes, this one’s perfect when you want something bold and filling.
• Chicken Milanese — Crispy, golden cutlets that feel restaurant-worthy but are totally doable at home (and so good with a simple salad).
• Chicken Riggies — A saucy, flavor-packed pasta dinner with tender chicken that’s perfect when you want something hearty and satisfying.
• Chicken and Gnocchi — Soft, pillowy gnocchi simmered with tender chicken in a creamy, cozy soup that tastes just like your favorite Italian restaurant.

Tried This Recipe?

💌 And while you’re here, don’t miss the next cozy recipe — subscribe to my totally FREE newsletter so you’ll always have comfort food favorites at your fingertips. 💌

If you enjoyed this recipe, please take a moment to leave ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star rating and a quick comment — I love hearing from you and it helps our community of bakers and cooks!

📸 And if you Gram… don’t forget to share your photo on Instagram — tag me @gonnawantseconds so I can cheer you on and share your creations!

Thanks for stopping by my kitchen today — happy cooking, friends! 💗 Kathleen

Save Recipe!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Italian Chicken Skillet Recipe

Italian Chicken Skillet with red wine, mushrooms, and artichoke, as beautiful as it is richly satisfying. It's an easy, flavor-packed complete meal.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 -8 servings

Author: Kathleen

Ingredients

• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 4 chicken breast halves boneless, skinless, cut into large chunks
• ▢ 1 onion medium, sliced
• ▢ 2 tablespoons garlic roughly chopped
• ▢ 2 cups Cremini mushrooms sliced
• ▢ 1 (15-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
• ▢ 1 cup tomato sauce
• ▢ pinch sugar
• ▢ 1/3 cup red wine
• ▢ 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• ▢ 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts quartered
• ▢ 3/4 cup pimiento-stuffed green olives sliced
• ▢ 1 teaspoon dried basil
• ▢ 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• ▢ salt to taste
• ▢ black pepper to taste
• ▢ 1 pound spaghetti cooked and drained
• ▢ Parmesan cheese to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Season the chicken (4) with salt and pepper. Heat a large saute pan to medium-high and add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the chicken and quickly saute until just browned. Remove to a plate.
• In the same pan, add another tablespoon of olive oil and saute the onion (1) until they just are soft and translucent. Add the garlic (2 tablespoons) and saute for 3 - 4 minutes. Add the mushrooms (2 cups) and saute until they are soft. Add the tomatoes (1 can), tomato sauce (1 cup), sugar (pinch), wine (1/3 cup), balsamic vinegar (1/4 cup), basil (1 teaspoon), and oregano (1 tablespoon) and simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes for flavors to marry. Stir in the artichokes (1 can), olives (3/4 cup), and the chicken and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through (It took me about 10 minutes. The exact time will depend on the size of your chicken chunks.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Serve with hot spaghetti (1 pound) and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. And LOTS of Italian bread
• Source: Adapted From Dinners for a Year and Beyond 

Fans Also Made:

None found

RATE THIS RECIPE

Save Recipe!

Notes

1. Don’t overcook the chicken in the first step. It finishes cooking in the sauce, so just aim for golden edges, not fully done pieces.
2. Let the sauce simmer. Those 10 minutes matter — that’s when the wine cooks down and the tomatoes deepen in flavor.
3. Add pasta water if needed. If your sauce thickens too much, a splash of starchy pasta water loosens it while keeping everything silky.
4. Fresh herbs are great if you have them. A little chopped basil or parsley at the end adds brightness and makes it extra pretty.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 559kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 641mg | Potassium: 1011mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1667IU | Vitamin C: 51mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 4mg

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I'D LOVE TO SEE!Tag @GonnaWantSeconds or #gonnawantseconds on Instagram!

© Gonna Want Seconds. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media/website/blog is strictly prohibited.

Pin

Share

Email