Nothing beats the satisfying sizzle and melty cheese of this **Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet Recipe**. It’s a cozy, one-pan wonder loaded with tender chicken, sweet peppers, and gooey provolone, perfect for a fuss-free dinner that feels like a warm hug.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet Recipe isn’t just delicious, it’s downright reliable. Every time I make it, the flavors come together in the most comforting way without needing hours or fancy ingredients.
- Quick & Easy: Ready from prep to plate in just about 30 minutes, it’s great for busy weeknights when you want something tasty without the stress.
- One Skillet Wonder: Minimal cleanup means you spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your meal—and maybe a glass of wine.
- Loaded with Flavor: The combo of Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and provolone cheese brings bold, inviting flavors that everyone will rave about.
- Super Versatile: Easily swap veggies or spice it up however you like—this recipe plays well with personalization.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet Recipe plays a key role in making sure the final dish is deliciously balanced—melty cheese, smoky meat, crisp-tender veggies. Plus, it calls for simple, easy-to-find components, so shopping won’t be a hassle.
- Olive oil: Helps everything brown nicely and adds a subtle fruity richness.
- Yellow onion: Brings a sweet and slightly sharp flavor that softens beautifully when sautéed.
- Red and green bell peppers: Add vibrant color and a touch of sweetness that complements the savory chicken.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Easy to slice thinly and cook quickly, making dinner faster.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs that lifts the dish with aromatic freshness.
- Smoked paprika: Gives a warm, smoky depth that really makes the flavors pop.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing every element.
- Shredded provolone cheese: Melts so smoothly, adding creamy, gooey goodness that ties it all together.
Make It Your Way
What I love most about this Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Over time, I've tried all sorts of variations—and honestly, you’ll enjoy making it your own as much as eating it.
- Variation: I sometimes swap provolone for mozzarella or even cheddar for a sharper bite, and swapping chicken for thinly sliced steak can turn it into a classic cheesesteak skillet.
- Spice it up: Adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce after cooking adds a delicious kick.
- Veggie boost: Feel free to toss in mushrooms or sliced jalapeños if you want more layers of flavor.
- Make it low-carb: Skip any bread sides and pile this on top of cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a lighter feel.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Veggies Until Tender
I start by heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, I add the thinly sliced onions and both peppers with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. This step is all about coaxing out sweetness and softening the veggies until they’re tender—usually around 7-8 minutes. Don't rush here! Letting them get a little caramelized makes a big flavor difference. Then I scoop them out onto a plate to make room for the chicken.
Step 2: Brown the Chicken with Seasonings
Adding the remaining olive oil, I spread the thin chicken slices evenly in the pan. It's tempting to stir immediately, but letting the meat sit still for a couple of minutes helps get that beautiful brown crust. Then I sprinkle Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper evenly over the chicken. As it cooks, I keep it moving occasionally so nothing sticks or burns—about 8-10 minutes total until the chicken is cooked through.
Step 3: Combine, Top with Cheese, and Melt
Once the chicken’s done, I add the sautéed veggies back into the skillet — along with all those tasty juices on the plate. After stirring everything together, I sprinkle a full cup of shredded provolone over the mixture and cover it with a lid. Just a few minutes under the lid lets the cheese melt into a gooey, irresistible topping that pulls the whole dish together.
Top Tip
From my experience, nailing the texture of both veggies and chicken is key to a perfect Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet Recipe. Let me share a few tips I swear by that make this dish shine every single time.
- Don’t crowd the pan: Cooking the chicken in a single layer ensures it browns nicely instead of stewing in its own juices.
- Slow Sauté for sweetness: Taking the time to soften onions and peppers slowly helps develop natural sugars—skip this, and the dish won’t have that signature richness.
- Cover to melt: Always cover the skillet when melting the cheese to trap steam; it softens cheese evenly and prevents drying out.
- Season generously: Salt and season in layers—first the veggies, then the chicken. It makes all the difference.
How to Serve Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
When I serve this skillet, I love adding a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chopped green onions for a pop of color and freshness. A little drizzle of hot sauce or a spoonful of pickled jalapeños brings a nice tangy heat if you’re into that. You can also add some crunchy crushed red pepper flakes if you like a bit of spice unexpectedly hitting your taste buds.
Side Dishes
This Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet Recipe pairs wonderfully with crispy roasted potatoes, a simple green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette, or some crusty bread to mop up that cheesy goodness. Once, I served it alongside garlic butter noodles—which was a comforting and kid-friendly hit.
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve even layered this skillet filling in hoagie rolls for a casual party platter that lets everyone build their own sandwiches. For a fancier dinner, serve it over creamy polenta or mashed potatoes and sprinkle with fresh thyme or oregano—instant elevated comfort food!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and they keep beautifully for up to 3 days. The flavors even mellow and blend a bit as they sit, which isn’t a bad thing! Just avoid adding extra cheese on leftovers so they don’t get gloopy.
Freezing
Freezing works if you want to prep in advance. I let the skillet cool completely, then transfer portions into freezer-safe containers or bags. When thawed in the fridge overnight, the texture remains surprisingly good, though the peppers soften even more. Just skip freezing with the cheese on top; add fresh shredded provolone when reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, I prefer warming leftovers gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a lid on, stirring occasionally until warmed through. This keeps the chicken tender and veggies from drying out. A quick sprinkle of fresh cheese on top and a lid back on shortly before serving revives that melty magic perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Boneless skinless chicken thighs work well too and can add a bit more moisture and richness to your Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet Recipe. Just slice them thinly like the breasts and cook slightly until fully done.
Provolone is traditional and melts beautifully, but mozzarella or a mild cheddar also work well. Choose a cheese with good melting qualities to get that perfect gooey top layer.
Yes! This skillet recipe itself is naturally gluten-free, just make sure to serve it with gluten-free sides or bread. Double-check seasonings like Italian seasoning to avoid any hidden gluten.
Slice the chicken thinly and avoid overcooking by watching for when it's just done and still juicy. Cooking it in a single layer with some olive oil and covering the skillet when adding cheese helps retain moisture.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet Recipe is one of those dishes I keep coming back to when I want dinner fast, comforting, and packed with flavor. It’s simple but satisfying—a real kitchen hug in a pan. I’m confident you’ll enjoy making and customizing it just as much as digging into those melty cheesy bites. Give it a try and let it become your go-to weeknight winner.
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Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Chicken Cheesesteak Skillet is a quick and flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts sautéed with sweet bell peppers and onions, seasoned with Italian spices and smoked paprika, and topped with melted provolone cheese for a satisfying twist on the classic cheesesteak.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 ¼ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Kosher salt to taste
- Fresh ground black pepper to taste
Other Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the thinly sliced yellow onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper generously. Sauté the vegetables until they become very tender, about 7-10 minutes. Remove the cooked vegetables from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
- Cook the chicken: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the thinly sliced chicken breasts to the pan along with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Arrange the chicken in a single layer and let it cook without stirring for a couple of minutes to achieve a nice browning.
- Sauté the chicken thoroughly: Continue cooking the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is fully cooked and no longer pink inside, about 8-10 minutes total.
- Combine and melt cheese: Return the sautéed onions, peppers, and any juices from the plate back into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Stir everything together to combine evenly. Sprinkle the shredded provolone cheese on top of the mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely.
- Serve: Once the cheese is melted and gooey, remove the skillet from heat and serve the chicken cheesesteak immediately while warm.
Notes
- For a spicier variation, add sliced jalapeños with the bell peppers.
- If you prefer a lower fat option, substitute olive oil with a cooking spray and use part-skim mozzarella instead of provolone cheese.
- This dish pairs well with crusty bread or a side of steamed rice for a complete meal.
- Use fresh Italian seasoning blend or substitute with dried oregano, basil, and thyme if preferred.
- Ensure the chicken is sliced thinly for quick and even cooking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
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