Chicken Murphy is one of those legendary Italian-American dishes that can turn any dinner into an absolute feast. If you’ve ever been to a New Jersey Italian restaurant, chances are you’ve seen it on the menu, and for good reason.
This hearty combo of tender chicken, Italian sausage, peppers, mushrooms, and hot cherry peppers in a savory white wine sauce is pure comfort food at its finest.
The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make at home, and the flavors are out of this world. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll be making it on repeat!
What Is Chicken Murphy?
Chicken Murphy is a classic Italian-American dish that’s wildly popular in northern New Jersey. It’s named after Murphy’s Steakhouse, where the dish is said to have originated.
The base is sauteed chicken breast and Italian sausage, tossed with bell peppers, mushrooms, onions, and those irresistible hot cherry peppers that give it a nice kick.
Everything gets finished in a white wine and chicken broth sauce, and some versions include cubed potatoes for extra heartiness. It’s like a one-pan Italian dinner party on your plate!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s an absolute crowd-pleaser. The combination of chicken and sausage with all those peppers and mushrooms creates layers of flavor that’ll blow your mind.
The hot cherry peppers give it just the right amount of heat without being overwhelming. If you like a little spice in your life, this dish hits the spot perfectly.
It’s a fantastic one-pan meal that feeds a crowd. Whether you’re hosting a weeknight family dinner or a weekend gathering, Chicken Murphy is the way to go.
Not only is it packed with flavor, but it also reheats beautifully. Leftovers might taste even better the next day!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – Cut into bite-sized pieces. You can also use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful results.
Italian Sausage – Use sweet or hot Italian sausage, depending on how much heat you want. I love using a mix of both!
Bell Peppers – A colorful mix of red, green, and yellow peppers adds sweetness and a gorgeous pop of color to the dish.
Hot Cherry Peppers – These are the star of Chicken Murphy. They bring a tangy, vinegary heat that makes this dish truly special. Don’t skip them!
Mushrooms – Sliced white or cremini mushrooms add an earthy depth that pairs perfectly with the peppers and sausage.
Yukon Gold Potatoes – Cubed and pan-fried until golden, they soak up all that delicious sauce and make the dish extra hearty.
White Wine – A dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc deglazes the pan and creates an incredibly flavorful sauce.
Chicken Broth – Combined with the wine, it builds a rich, savory sauce that ties everything together beautifully.
Garlic and Onion – Because no Italian-American dish is complete without plenty of both!
Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, and Italian Seasoning – Simple seasonings that let the main ingredients shine.
How to Make Chicken Murphy
Start by parboiling the cubed potatoes until they’re just tender, then drain and set aside. You want them partially cooked so they finish up perfectly in the pan.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then cook until golden brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, brown the sliced Italian sausage until it’s cooked through and has a nice sear. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
Add the onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms to the pan. Saute until they’re softened and the mushrooms have released their moisture, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Toss in the garlic and sliced hot cherry peppers. Cook for another minute until the garlic is fragrant. The smell alone will make your mouth water!
Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom. Let it reduce by half, then add the chicken broth.
Return the chicken, sausage, and potatoes to the skillet. Let everything simmer together for about 10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and all the flavors meld together.
Give it a taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve it up and get ready for some serious compliments!
Tips for the Best Chicken Murphy
Don’t skip the cherry peppers. They’re what make Chicken Murphy different from any other chicken and sausage dish. The tangy, spicy brine they bring is a total game-changer.
Use a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven. You need plenty of room so everything can brown properly instead of steaming.
Don’t overcook the chicken. Since it goes back into the sauce to simmer, pull it from the pan when it’s just golden on the outside. It’ll finish cooking in the sauce.
Add a splash of cherry pepper brine to the sauce for extra tangy heat. I promise, it takes the flavor to the next level.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. This gives the sauce a chance to thicken up and the flavors to come together even more.
Variations to Try
Chicken Murphy with Pasta – Toss the whole thing with penne or rigatoni for an incredible pasta dinner. The sauce clings to the noodles like a dream!
Spicy Chicken Murphy – Use all hot Italian sausage and add extra cherry peppers plus a pinch of red pepper flakes. This version is for the heat lovers out there.
Chicken Murphy without Potatoes – Skip the potatoes and serve it over creamy polenta or a bed of buttery mashed potatoes instead. Equally fantastic!
Chicken Murphy with Shrimp – Add some jumbo shrimp to the mix for a surf-and-turf twist. The shrimp cook fast, so toss them in during the last 3 to 4 minutes.
How to Store Chicken Murphy
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. This is one of those dishes that honestly tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
To reheat, warm it gently in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of chicken broth to loosen the sauce. You can also use the microwave, but the stovetop gives you a much better result.
You can freeze Chicken Murphy for up to 3 months. Just let it cool completely, transfer to a freezer-safe container, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Chicken Murphy
Ingredients
For the Chicken Murphy
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 lb Italian sausage sweet or hot, sliced into rounds
- 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes cubed into 1-inch pieces
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper sliced into strips
- 1 green bell pepper sliced into strips
- 1 yellow bell pepper sliced into strips
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms sliced
- 1/2 cup hot cherry peppers sliced, plus 2 tablespoons brine
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3/4 cup dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the cubed potatoes in a pot of salted water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 8 minutes until just fork-tender. Drain and set aside.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until golden brown on all sides, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the Italian sausage slices and cook until browned on both sides, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
- Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Add the diced onion, bell pepper strips, and sliced mushrooms. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and sliced hot cherry peppers. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it reduce by half, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth and cherry pepper brine. Stir to combine.
- Return the chicken, sausage, and parboiled potatoes to the skillet. Stir everything together gently.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly and the flavors meld together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Final Thoughts
Chicken Murphy is hands down one of the best Italian-American comfort food dishes you can make at home. The combination of tender chicken, savory sausage, sweet peppers, and tangy cherry peppers in that white wine sauce is absolutely phenomenal.
Whether you serve it on its own, over pasta, or with a big piece of crusty bread, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Give it a try and I promise it’ll become a regular in your dinner rotation!
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