🌶️ Chicken Calabrese Fiery Italian Comfort Dish You’ll Love

chicken calabrese ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.9 from spice lovers and comfort food fans)
🔥 Spicy | 🍅 Saucy | 🍗 Bold & satisfying

Craving something rustic, spicy, and deeply flavorful? This recipe hits the mark. Inspired by the robust cuisine of southern Italy’s Calabria region, it combines tender chicken with spicy Calabrian chiles, garlic, tomatoes, and bell peppers—all simmered into a soul-warming dish that’s packed with flavor and heart.

Why You’ll Fall in Love with Chicken Calabrese

• ⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
• ⏳ Cook Time: 45 minutes
• 🍽️ Serves: 4
• 🔥 Flavor: Spicy, tangy, savory
• 🇮🇹 Best For: Weeknight meals, Sunday dinners, or Mediterranean-themed nights

Ingredients for Flavor-Packed Chicken Calabrese

The Core Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless thighs or breasts)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

The Flavor Bombs

• 1 small red onion, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1–2 tbsp Calabrian chili paste (adjust to heat preference)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• ½ cup dry white wine (optional)
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish

How to Make Chicken Calabrese Step-by-Spicy-Step

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a hot skillet, brown chicken on both sides in olive oil. Remove and set aside.

Step 2: Build the Flavor Base

Sauté onions and peppers until soft. Add garlic, oregano, and tomato paste. Stir in Calabrian chili paste and cook until aromatic.

Step 3: Simmer to Bold Perfection

Add crushed tomatoes and wine. Nestle the chicken back in. Cover and simmer for 30–40 minutes, until chicken is tender and flavorful.

Step 4: Serve and Garnish

Serve your fiery it over pasta, creamy polenta, or with crusty bread. Garnish with fresh herbs and dig in!

Make Your recipe Unforgettable

Turn Up the Heat on Chicken Calabrese

Add extra Calabrian chili paste or red pepper flakes if you love it hot.

Creamy Chicken Calabrese Twist

Stir in a splash of cream or a few spoonfuls of mascarpone cheese at the end for a silky, mellow contrast.

Make It a One-Pan Wonder

Add chopped potatoes or cannellini beans to the sauce for a complete meal in one skillet.

What People Are Saying About This Chicken Calabrese

“So flavorful and spicy—it felt like a warm hug from Southern Italy.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Giulia M.

“I couldn’t believe how easy and delicious this was. We scraped the pan clean!”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Rob P.

“The Calabrian chiles make all the difference. I’m obsessed with this dish now.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Lara F.

📝 Chicken Calabrese

Chicken Calabrese is a bold and rustic dish from Calabria, Italy, known for its spicy, rich tomato sauce, savory peppers, and tender chicken. This one-pan meal bursts with Southern Italian flavor – perfect for cozy dinners or entertaining guests.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main

Cuisine: Italian

Calories: 390

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (or breasts if preferred)
• Salt & pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small red onion sliced
• 1 red bell pepper sliced
• 1 yellow bell pepper sliced
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes adjust to taste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• 1 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth

Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

Optional: Calabrian chili paste or chopped Calabrian chilis

Equipment

• Large skillet with lid
• Tongs or spatula
• Knife and cutting board

Method

 

Prepare the chicken

1. Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 4–5 minutes until golden. Flip and cook another 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Build the sauce

1. In the same skillet, sauté onions and peppers for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, and tomato paste. Stir until fragrant (~1 minute).
3. Add cherry tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and wine (or broth). Bring to a simmer.

Simmer

1. Return chicken to the skillet, nestling into the sauce. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 25–30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and tender.

Finish

1. Taste and adjust seasoning. If desired, stir in Calabrian chili paste for extra heat.
2. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

Notes

Serve over creamy polenta, pasta, or crusty bread.

You can use boneless thighs or breasts – just reduce cooking time by 5–10 minutes.

Add olives or capers for a briny twist.

FAQ – Chicken Calabrese Tips & Tricks

This Chicken Calabrese, whether you’re rolling breasts with pesto and prosciutto or simmering thighs in ‘nduja-spiked tomato sauce, offers bold Italian flavors and satisfying richness. To lighten and brighten the plate, serve it with a crisp, sweet Pineapple Cucumber Salad. The juicy pineapple and cool cucumber create refreshing counterpoints that make the meal feel balanced and complete.