There’s something so satisfying about a one-pan meal that fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas. This Chicken CheeseSteak Skillet Recipe is bursting with tender chicken, sweet peppers, and melty provolone, all cooked together for a comforting, no-fuss dinner you’ll keep coming back to.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I remember the first time I made this recipe—it was a total hit. It’s quick enough for busy weeknights but indulgent enough to feel like a treat. Plus, it’s packed with flavors that complement each other perfectly.
- Speedy and Simple: You can get everything on the table in just 30 minutes, perfect for when you want something fast but tasty.
- All-in-One Skillet: Minimal cleanup—everything cooks in one pan, saving time and effort.
- Flavor-Packed: The combination of Italian seasoning and smoked paprika brings a smoky, aromatic depth that makes the dish stand out.
- Melty Cheese Finish: The shredded provolone melts beautifully over the chicken and veggies, creating a gooey, comforting finish you won’t forget.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This dish strikes that delicate balance between simple and satisfying. The fresh bell peppers add natural sweetness and crunch, while the chicken acts as a blank canvas soaking up all those rich seasonings. Keep your ingredients fresh, especially the chicken and veggies, for the best results.
- Olive Oil: For sautéing—it adds a lovely fruity richness and helps cook everything evenly.
- Yellow Onion: Brings sweetness and a touch of sharpness that softens as it cooks.
- Red Bell Pepper: Offers vibrant color and juicy sweetness that contrasts nicely with the savory chicken.
- Green Bell Pepper: Adds a slightly grassy, fresh flavor and balances the red pepper’s sweetness.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Easy to slice thin and cook quickly, perfect for this skillet approach.
- Italian Seasoning: A wonderful blend of herbs that enhances the flavors without overpowering them.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky warmth that gives the dish extra depth.
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Essentials for seasoning and bringing out all the natural flavors.
- Shredded Provolone Cheese: Melts beautifully for that gooey, cheesy finish that makes everything irresistible.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this recipe depending on what I’m craving or what’s in my fridge. Feel free to play around; it’s very forgiving and perfect for customization.
- Variation: Swap the chicken for thinly sliced steak for an authentic Philly twist—I've done it, and it's just as delicious.
- Vegetarian twist: Use sautéed mushrooms or eggplant instead of chicken for a hearty meatless version that still hits all the right notes.
- Spice it up: If you like a little heat, toss in some sliced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the veggies.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chicken CheeseSteak Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Veggies Until Tender
Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat. When it’s shimmering, add the thinly sliced onions and bell peppers along with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Cook them slowly, stirring occasionally, until they’re sweet, tender, and just starting to caramelize—about 8-10 minutes. This takes patience, but the flavor payoff is huge. Once done, scoop them onto a plate to keep warm.
Step 2: Brown the Chicken Fillets
Pour the remaining tablespoon of olive oil back into the skillet. Add the thinly sliced chicken breasts in a single layer, along with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Resist the urge to stir right away—let the chicken cook undisturbed for a few minutes to develop that lovely golden crust. Then toss and cook until fully done, about 6–8 minutes more.
Step 3: Bring It All Together and Melt the Cheese
Return the sautéed onions and peppers to the skillet with the chicken and any juices on the plate. Stir everything to combine well. Sprinkle the shredded provolone cheese evenly over the top. Cover with a lid and let it sit for a few minutes until the cheese melts into a dreamy, gooey blanket over your chicken and veggies. Then serve immediately.
Top Tip
When I make this Chicken CheeseSteak Skillet Recipe, I realized a couple of little tricks make all the difference between good and unforgettable. I want to share them with you so your dinner turns out perfect—every single time.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Give your chicken room to brown nicely by cooking it in a single layer.
- Low and slow on peppers: Patience with sautéing the veggies enhances their natural sweetness and avoids that raw crunch.
- Cover to melt cheese: Using a lid traps heat and creates steam, so the cheese melts evenly without drying out.
- Season as you go: Don’t wait until the end—salting the veggies and chicken during cooking layers the flavors beautifully.
How to Serve Chicken CheeseSteak Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
I like topping my skillet with a little fresh parsley or some thinly sliced green onions for a pop of color and freshness. A dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes also gives it a fun kick. Sometimes, I add a squeeze of lemon over the top—it brightens the whole dish.
Side Dishes
To keep things simple, I often serve this with crusty bread to soak up the juices or a crisp green salad to balance the richness. For heartier meals, garlic mashed potatoes or roasted baby potatoes are my go-to companions.
Creative Ways to Present
For family gatherings, I sometimes serve the Chicken CheeseSteak Skillet straight from the pan at the center of the table so everyone can dig in. You can also use it as a filling for hoagie rolls or stuff into pita pockets for handheld sandwiches that make great lunchbox treats.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I transfer leftovers into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers taste even better.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t my favorite for this recipe because the peppers get a bit soggy afterward, but if you need to freeze, portion it into freezer-safe containers and consume within a month for the best taste.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium-low heat to keep the chicken tender and melt the cheese again. Microwaving works too, but a skillet gives you better texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Provolone is classic for its great melting quality and mild flavor. But you can swap it for mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even pepper jack if you want a little spice.
Portobello mushrooms or thinly sliced eggplant work well as meaty vegetarian substitutes. They soak up the seasonings and provide a satisfying texture that complements the peppers and cheese.
This Chicken CheeseSteak Skillet Recipe is naturally gluten-free since it uses fresh ingredients and no breading. Just be sure your seasonings and cheese don’t have additives that contain gluten to keep it safe.
Definitely! You can slice the chicken and vegetables in advance and keep them refrigerated until you're ready to cook. This speeds up the cooking process and makes weeknight dinners a breeze.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken CheeseSteak Skillet Recipe is one of my go-to comfort meals when I want something hearty but straightforward. It’s the kind of recipe that feels special without a lot of fuss. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it really brings people to the table, hungry for seconds.
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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 sliced chicken breasts sautéed with sweet bell peppers and onions, seasoned with Italian herbs and smoked paprika, then topped with melted provolone cheese. It’s an easy, satisfying dish perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 1 yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
Protein and Dairy
- 1 ¼ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
Seasonings and Oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare and Sauté Vegetables: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the sliced red and green bell peppers, sliced yellow onion, and season generously with salt and pepper. Sauté the vegetables until they become very tender, then transfer them onto a plate and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the thinly sliced chicken breasts along with the Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Arrange the chicken in a single layer and let it cook undisturbed for a couple of minutes to develop a nice sear.
- Sauté Chicken Until Done: Continue cooking the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is fully cooked through and browned on the edges.
- Combine Ingredients and Melt Cheese: Return the sautéed onions and peppers along with any accumulated juices from the plate back into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Stir everything together to combine well. Sprinkle the shredded provolone cheese evenly over the top.
- Cover and Finish: Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit on low heat until the provolone cheese melts completely. Once melted, remove from heat and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes during cooking.
- You can substitute provolone cheese with mozzarella or cheddar if preferred.
- Use skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier texture.
- Serve with toasted hoagie rolls or over rice for a complete meal.
- If you want a lower-fat option, reduce the olive oil or use a non-stick skillet to minimize oil usage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg

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