Chicken Murphy Recipe – Easy Italian Flavor

Chicken Murphy (aka an Italian chicken stew) is one of those solid recipes I make again and again.

If you love a blend of hearty potatoes and veggies coupled with the yummy protein of chicken and sausage, you’ll love this meal.

Served over a bed of angel hair pasta or rice, this Italian-inspired favorite is sure to become a go-to in your kitchen.

What You’ll Need 

Potatoes. Potatoes not only add heartiness to the dish but absorb the flavors in the dish to the point where you’re not sure if the chicken or the spuds are tastier! Russet potatoes are a great option to use.

Vidalia onion. Onion adds a savory depth of flavor and a subtle sweetness to the dish.

Italian sausage – hot. The hot sausage adds a kick of spiciness. But, like all our recipes, if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen. Just kidding, use mild sausage. 

Chicken breast. Cubed chicken breast is a lean cut of meat that works well in this stew. But if you want to use turkey thighs, I’m all for it. (It’s what I use.)

Olive oil. Olive oil is essential for sautéing the vegetables and creating a base for the sauce.

All-purpose flour. Flour is used to dredge the chicken, giving it a light crust and helping to thicken the sauce. We’ll cover flour substitutions below. 

Garlic. I’m not one to tell you how much garlic you should use… Never mind, the more garlic cloves, the better.

White wine. White wine adds acidity and depth to the sauce. (It’s also something to drink while you cook.)

Chicken broth. Chicken broth, though you can also use beef broth or veggie broth, creates the base for the stew. 

Peppadew peppers, pepperoncini, and hot cherry peppers. These peppers add varying levels of heat and tanginess to the dish, giving it a unique and customizable spiciness. Again, if you’re not a fan of spice, leave them out or just use a few. 

Bell peppers. Green bell peppers provide a mild, slightly sweet flavor. Add more bell peppers if you reduce the number of hot peppers above. You can also use any color of bell peppers you like.

Tomatoes. Tomatoes add acidity, umami, and a splash of color.

Unsalted butter. Everything’s better with butter. And it brings a richness to the dish.

Vinegar. A splash of vinegar helps to balance out the flavors in the sauce and cut through the fast of the butter.

Pasta. Angel hair pasta serves as a delicate and light base for the dish, allowing the sauce to shine. We’ll cover other options, besides pasta, to use below. 

Basil. Fresh basil adds a touch of brightness and an herbaceous note to the dish.

Making Chicken Murphy

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 30 minutes

Total time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized cubes or chunks
• 1 lb Italian sausage (hot or mild), cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 lb potatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes 
• 1 large vidalia onion, sliced
• 1 yellow bell peppers, sliced
• 1 orange bell pepper, sliced
• 1/2 cup peppadew peppers, drained and roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup pepperoncini or hot cherry peppers, drained and roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup pepper brine (from the jar of peppers)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 1 lb angel hair pasta, cooked al dente

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, dredge the chicken cubes in flour, shaking off any excess. Set aside.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sausage pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the floured chicken cubes and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside with the sausage.
4. Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion, bell peppers, and potatoes to the skillet. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened slightly.
5. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
6. Pour in the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes to allow the wine to reduce slightly.
7. Stir in the chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, peppadew peppers, pepperoncini, and pepper brine. Bring the sauce to a simmer.
8. Return the cooked chicken and sausage to the pan, stirring to combine with the sauce and vegetables. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked through.
9. Meanwhile, cook the angel hair pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
10. Once the chicken, sausage, and potatoes are cooked, stir in the chopped fresh basil and season the sauce with salt and pepper, to taste.
11. To serve, place a bed of cooked angel hair pasta onto each plate and top with a generous portion of the Chicken Murphy mixture, making sure to spoon plenty of the sauce on top.

I hope you enjoy this Italian-inspired favorite. Don’t forget to adjust the spiciness to suit your personal preferences.

Tips for the Best Chicken Murphy

Choose quality ingredients. The flavors in Chicken Murphy come from the combination of its ingredients, so make sure to choose fresh, high-quality items for the best results.

Use a large skillet or Dutch oven. A large cooking surface ensures even browning and enough space for all the ingredients to cook evenly.

Don’t overcrowd the pan. When sautéing the vegetables and browning the chicken, avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lead to uneven cooking and steaming instead of browning.

Dredge the chicken lightly in flour. This helps create a light crust and thickens the sauce without making it too heavy.

Adjust spiciness. Feel free to add more or fewer hot peppers depending on your preference for heat.

Cook the pasta al dente. Cooking the pasta al dente ensures it will hold up well when mixed with the sauce and other ingredients.

Substitutions and Variations

Swap out the protein. If you’re not a fan of chicken breasts, use chicken thighs instead. You could also use chicken or turkey sausage instead or pork sausage. 

Make it gluten free. It’s easy to make this a gluten-free meal. Simply swap out the flour for either arrowroot or gluten-free flour. 

Go low-carb or keto. To go low carb or keto, either remove the potatoes or swap them out for something like turnips, fennel or carrots, depending on how low-carb you are aiming. 

Chicken Murphy FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs can be a delicious substitute for chicken breasts in this recipe. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly since thighs may take a bit longer to cook through.

Can I make Chicken Murphy ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dish ahead of time and reheat it when you’re ready to serve. The flavors will most likely be even better! Just be sure to store the pasta and sauce separately and reheat them gently to prevent overcooking.

Can I freeze Chicken Murphy?

Yes, Chicken Murphy can be frozen for up to 3 months. To freeze, allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer the sauce and cooked chicken and sausage to a freezer-safe container. I don’t recommend freezing pasta, however.

Can I substitute the Italian sausage for another type of sausage?

You can certainly experiment with different types of sausage in this recipe. However, keep in mind that the unique flavors of Italian sausage – particularly the fennel and red pepper flakes – contribute to the distinct taste of Chicken Murphy. If you choose to substitute another sausage, you may want to add a touch of fennel seed and/or red pepper flakes to maintain the dish’s characteristic flavor.

What should I serve with Chicken Murphy?

Chicken Murphy is a satisfying, well-rounded dish on its own, thanks to the combination of chicken, sausage, potatoes, and pasta. However, if you’d like to serve it with a side, consider Red Lobster stuffed mushrooms, air fryer Brussels sprouts, or smoked corn on the cob.

Dessert Pairing

Ok, when it comes down to it, dessert is a totally separate meal. Isn’t it? So you can eat what you like. But below are a few Italian-inspired desserts and a few extras of our faves. Enjoy!

Olive Garden Tiramisu

Peanut Butter Balls

McDonald’s Yogurt Parfait

Edible Brownie Batter

Mini Cannoli Cups

Have Questions or suggestions about this Chicken Murphy recipe? Leave them in the comment below.