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    Home » Main Course Recipes

    The Crispiest Skillet Chicken Puttanesca

    Published: Mar 11, 2018 · Modified: Jul 10, 2021 by Philip + Mystique · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This one skillet chicken puttanesca highlights the trifecta of olives, capers and tomatoes with the crispiest, cracking chicken skin ever. Just be sure to pack enough for tomorrow's lunch because there won't be any leftovers.

    Is there any better pairing than Sunday and meal prep? There's something comforting about having all your meals prepared or thought out for the entire week. And when it comes to meal planning, our favourite kind of recipes make enough for tonight's dinner and tomorrow's lunch, and use very few kitchen tools like our one skillet chicken puttanesca. But what is puttanesca? Find out here.

    Close up of Chicken Puttanesca on a white plate with a blue napkin, fresh basil and tomatoes

    Is there anything more delicious than crispy chicken skin? Chicken thighs in particular are incredibly delicious and packed with bone-in flavour and when seared correctly make for the ultimate crackling chicken ever. Now, pair it with the puttanesca trifecta of olives, capers and tomatoes and you've got yourself a crispy prostitute.

    Puttanesca sauce is made from tomatoes, black olives, capers, onions, garlic, basil and anchovies giving its reputation of being pungent and invigorating.

    Plated Chicken Puttanesca on a white plate next to fresh basil and tomatoes

    The trick for the crispiest, pan fried chicken puttanesca involves chicken thighs skin down on a cold skillet dressed with salt and pepper. Gradually building up heat, the fat renders out slowly and what you're left with are juicy and flavourful chicken thighs glazed with crackling skin and a harmonious medley of citric tomatoes, early capers and tangy olives ideal over pasta, rice or a simple salad. But if we can give you any tip, pack tomorrow's lunch before you eat dinner because this crispy skillet chicken puttanesca is one for the recipe books.

    How to Make Crispy Chicken Puttanesca

    Ingredients and Preparation

    Ingredients you'll need for our chicken puttanesca include, chicken thighs, garlic, anchovies (optional but recommended), tomatoes, black olives, capers, basil, salt and pepper.

    Overhead view of ingredients for chicken puttanesca

    Preheat your oven to 400°F and have an oven safe skillet or dutch oven ready.

    Cook the Chicken

    Pat the chicken dry with a cloth or paper towel. Season both sides of the chicken liberally with salt and pepper. Place the chicken skin down in a cold, oven safe skillet. Place on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high. Cook for 15 minutes, without touching the chicken until the skin is crispy and brown.

    Chicken frying in a dutch oven

    Add the Puttanesca Ingredients

    Turn the chicken over and add the garlic and anchovies. Mash the anchovies into a paste, then add the tomatoes, olives, and capers, being careful not to cover the chicken. Place the skillet in the oven to cook for an additional 15-18 minutes, until the tomatoes are starting to breakdown.

    Close up of chicken puttanesca cooking in a dutch oven

    Style and Serve

    Lay a spoonful of the puttanesca sauce on your favourite plate. Top with the chicken, skin side up, then spoon additional sauce on top. Garnish with basil and serve with a side of pasta or salad.

    Chicken Puttanesca plated on a white plate on top of a blue napkin and wooden cutting board, with tomatoes and basil

    Helpful Tools for Making Our One Pot Crispy Chicken Puttanesca

    Below are affiliate links to products that will assist you in making our chicken puttanesca recipe. If you purchase an item through the links, Chef Sous Chef Inc. will receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you.

    • Le Creuset Dutch Oven
    • All-Clad Tongs
    • Global Chef's Knife Set
    • Measuring Spoons

    Thank you for helping support us through these purchases. If you have made this recipe, please let us know in the comments below!

    Chicken Puttanesca Styled on a Wooden Cutting Board

    The Crispiest Skillet Chicken Puttanesca

    Chef Sous Chef
    This one skillet chicken puttanesca highlights the trifecta of olives, capers and tomatoes with the crispiest, crackling chicken skin ever. Just be sure to pack enough for tomorrow's lunch because there won't be any leftovers.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Course food and drink, Main
    Cuisine Italian

    Ingredients
      

    • 6-8 chicken thighs skin on and boneless
    • 4 cloves garlic crushed
    • 3-4 anchovy fillets
    • 2.5 cups tomatoes chopped
    • ½ cup black olives pitted
    • 2 tablespoon capers chopped
    • ¼ cup basil chopped
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper

    Instructions
     

    • No. 1 | Preheat your oven to 400° F.
    • No. 2 | Pat the chicken dry with a cloth or paper towel. Season both sides of the chicken liberally with salt and pepper. Place the chicken skin down in a cold, oven safe skillet. Place on the stove and turn the heat to medium-high. Cook for 15 minutes, without touching the chicken until the skin is crispy and brown.
    • No. 3 | Turn the chicken over and add the garlic and anchovies. Mash the anchovies into a paste then add the tomatoes, olives, and capers, being careful not to cover the chicken. Place the skillet in the oven to cook for an additional 15-18 minutes, untils the tomatoes are starting to breakdown.
    • No. 4 | To serve, garnish the chicken with basil and serve with salad, pasta, or on a sandwich.
    Keyword Chicken, Easy Recipes, Real Food
    Have you tried this recipe?Tag us on Instagram @chef.souschef or use the hashtag #chefsouschef and let us know how it was!
    Chicken Puttanesca on a white plate with text overlay

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Melissa says

      December 06, 2018 at 3:03 pm

      The tip about the cold pan is amazing! The skin was so crispy, I couldn't believe it. The sauce is a great match with the chicken. Served with a salad and you have a perfect healthy meal.5 stars

      Reply
      • Chef Sous Chef says

        December 06, 2018 at 3:06 pm

        Thanks for the comment Melissa. The cold pan trick is great for bacon and pancetta too.

        Reply
    2. Kimberly says

      August 27, 2020 at 6:40 am

      I want to try this but just want to make sure I don't have to oil the pan before I place the thigh skin side down? Will the chicken's natural juices be enough to not stick to the pan? Thank you

      Reply
      • Chef Sous Chef says

        August 27, 2020 at 7:19 am

        Hi Kimberly,

        You don't have to use oil beforehand if using a heavy-bottomed or cast iron pan, and as long as you place the chicken in the pan before it heats up. If you are using a stainless steel pan, then you can add about 2 teaspoons just to provide a very light coating of the pan. In either case the chicken will stick a bit to the bottom until it is crisp, so if it's sticking to the bottom it's not time to flip it yet. Hope this helps! Enjoy the recipe.

        Reply

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