Chicken Scarpariello, also known as “Shoemaker’s Chicken,” is an Italian-American classic featuring tender chicken thighs, sausages, and tangy cherry peppers in a savory white wine sauce. This hearty dish is perfect for weekend dinners and special occasions. It’s easy to prepare, with simple ingredients like chicken, sausage, peppers, and aromatic herbs, but the flavor is truly extraordinary.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 5 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

• 6 tbsp flour (divided)

• ½ tsp salt (plus more to taste)

• ½ tsp pepper

• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Sausage:

• 4-5 Italian sausage links (hot, mild, or sweet)

For the Sauce:

• 1 large onion, sliced

• 1 large red bell pepper, sliced

• 6 garlic cloves, sliced or finely chopped

• 1 cup white wine

• 1 cup pickled peppadew peppers (cherry peppers) + 2 tbsp brine

• 2 sprigs rosemary

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1 cup chicken stock

• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar

• Sugar to taste (about 1 tsp)

• Fresh parsley, for garnish

For the Potatoes:

• 1.5 lbs fingerling potatoes (or baby potatoes), halved

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp pepper

Directions

1. Roast the Potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss the potatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then bake for 30-35 minutes until tender.

2. Prepare the Chicken: Pat dry the chicken thighs and dust with a mixture of ¼ cup flour, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken, skin side down, for 8-9 minutes until crispy. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes. Set aside.

3. Cook the Sausage: In the same skillet, brown the sausage links for 5-6 minutes, then remove and set aside.

4. Sauté the Vegetables: Add onion and red bell pepper to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in 1 tbsp flour and cook for 1 minute.

5. Make the Sauce: Pour in white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up the browned bits. Add peppadew peppers, brine, rosemary, oregano, thyme, and chicken stock. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, adjusting seasoning with salt and sugar as needed.

6. Cook the Chicken and Sausage: Return the chicken (skin side up) and sausage to the pan. Cover and bake at 400°F for 40 minutes. Uncover and broil for a few minutes to brown the chicken.

7. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with roasted potatoes and the delicious sauce.

Nutrients

• Calories: 876 per serving

• Fat: 50g

  • Saturated: 15g

  • Trans: 0g

• Cholesterol: 211mg

• Sodium: 1561mg

• Carbohydrates: 49g

  • Fiber: 4g

  • Sugar: 7g

• Protein: 51g

The Origins of Chicken Scarpariello

The name “Scarpariello” comes from the Italian word “scarpa,” meaning “shoe,” and it is said that the dish was originally prepared by shoemakers for a hearty meal after a long day’s work. The dish became popular in the United States among Italian immigrants who made their own versions, often including a combination of chicken, sausage, peppers, and wine, similar to what we know today.

What makes this dish so beloved is its ability to bring simple, humble ingredients together to create something comforting yet indulgent. The rich combination of meats and tangy peppers, along with the aromatic herbs and white wine sauce, creates a dish that is flavorful yet accessible. Chicken Scarpariello has become a staple in many Italian-American homes, particularly for those who love the flavors of Italian cuisine but want a dish that is both filling and delicious.

The Key Ingredients: Chicken and Sausage

The heart of Chicken Scarpariello lies in its two main protein components: chicken and sausage. Chicken thighs, in particular, are used for their juicy and flavorful nature. The skin-on, bone-in cut adds a satisfying texture when seared, creating a crispy outer layer that contrasts beautifully with the tender, moist chicken inside. Chicken thighs also have a rich flavor, which makes them the perfect base for this hearty dish.

The sausages used in Chicken Scarpariello can vary in type. Sweet, mild, or spicy Italian sausages are the most common choices. Each variety of sausage brings its own character to the dish, with spicy sausages providing a nice heat to balance the sweetness of the peppers and the richness of the chicken. The sausages are browned in the same skillet as the chicken, infusing the sauce with extra flavor.

The Flavorful Sauce: A Perfect Balance

The sauce in Chicken Scarpariello is what ties all of the components together. The combination of white wine, rosemary, garlic, and pickled peppadew peppers (or cherry peppers) creates a sauce that is both savory and tangy. The white wine serves as the base for the sauce, giving it a slightly acidic, aromatic quality that enhances the richness of the chicken and sausage.

The peppadew peppers, with their sweet and tangy flavor, are the signature ingredient in the sauce. They add a gentle heat and brightness, balancing out the richness of the meats and creating a vibrant contrast to the creamy textures. The rosemary, thyme, and oregano contribute a lovely herby aroma that elevates the flavor profile, while the garlic deepens the overall savory notes of the sauce.

After browning the meats and sautéing the vegetables, the wine is added to deglaze the pan, scraping up the caramelized bits that have stuck to the bottom. This adds an extra layer of flavor to the sauce, creating a complex and rich base for the dish.

The Potatoes: A Perfect Accompaniment

No Italian-American dish would be complete without a side of potatoes, and in this case, fingerling potatoes are used to provide a crispy, tender side. The fingerling potatoes are halved and roasted until golden and crispy, making them the perfect complement to the rich and flavorful sauce. The crispiness of the potatoes contrasts with the tenderness of the chicken and sausages, offering a satisfying bite that enhances the meal.

The potatoes are seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper, allowing their natural flavors to shine through while enhancing the dish with their light, earthy taste. The potatoes soak up some of the sauce when served, making each bite even more satisfying.

Cooking the Chicken Scarpariello

One of the keys to making Chicken Scarpariello is the careful preparation of the chicken and sausages. The chicken thighs are first seared in a hot skillet with olive oil, skin-side down, for 8-9 minutes to achieve a crispy, golden brown exterior. Once flipped, they are cooked for a few more minutes before being removed from the pan.

The sausages are browned in the same pan, infusing the cooking fat with their delicious flavor. After the meats are cooked, they are set aside while the vegetables—onion, red bell pepper, and garlic—are sautéed in the same pan. The white wine is then poured in to deglaze the pan, followed by the addition of the herbs, stock, and peppadew peppers.

The chicken and sausages are returned to the pan and simmered in the sauce for about 40 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. The dish is then broiled for a few minutes to ensure that the chicken skin remains crispy and golden.

Serving and Garnishing

Once the dish is cooked, it is ready to be served. The chicken, sausages, and potatoes are plated together, and the sauce is generously poured over the top. Fresh parsley is sprinkled over the dish as a final touch, adding a pop of color and freshness to the rich, savory flavors.

The dish is typically served with a side of crusty bread or pasta, allowing you to soak up the remaining sauce. A simple green salad is also a nice accompaniment, balancing out the richness of the chicken and sausages with a light, refreshing touch.

Health Considerations and Modifications

While Chicken Scarpariello is undeniably a rich and indulgent dish, it can still fit into a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation. The chicken thighs provide a good source of protein, and the dish includes a variety of vegetables and herbs that contribute nutrients and antioxidants.

If you are looking to make the dish lighter, you can consider using chicken breasts instead of thighs, though this will result in a slightly less juicy texture. Additionally, reducing the amount of sausage or opting for a leaner sausage variety can help cut down on the fat content.

For a gluten-free version, ensure that the flour used for dredging the chicken is a gluten-free alternative. You can also swap out the potatoes for cauliflower or a vegetable side to lower the carbohydrate content.

Conclusion

Chicken Scarpariello is a dish that combines the best of Italian-American cooking, bringing together savory meats, a rich sauce, and perfectly roasted potatoes. The slow-cooked flavors, the tender meats, and the tangy peppadew peppers make this dish a comforting, hearty meal that is perfect for any occasion. Whether served on a busy weeknight or for a special family gathering, Chicken Scarpariello is sure to be a hit, offering a deliciously satisfying and flavorful meal that is bound to impress everyone at the table.