**Sheet Pan Chicken Scarpariello with Gnocchi: A Tasty One-Pan Treat**
Sheet Pan Chicken Scarpariello with Gnocchi offers a contemporary spin on a traditional Italian-American recipe that merges the delectable tastes of chicken, sausage, and peppers with the ease of a one-pan dish. This meal is ideal for hectic weeknights or a relaxed weekend dinner, presenting a delightful mix of textures and flavors that will please the entire family.
**History of Chicken Scarpariello**
Chicken Scarpariello, which means “shoemaker’s chicken,” is thought to have emerged in Italian-American neighborhoods in the northeastern US. The dish typically includes chicken cooked alongside Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and a zesty vinegar-based sauce. The term “scarpariello” is believed to reflect the simple, rustic essence of the meal, akin to a shoemaker’s modest offerings.
**Components and Preparation**
For this sheet pan variation, you’ll require these ingredients:
– Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
– Links of Italian sausage
– Red and yellow bell peppers
– Red onion
– Garlic cloves
– Cherry tomatoes
– Fresh rosemary and thyme
– White wine or chicken broth
– Red wine vinegar
– Olive oil
– Salt and pepper
– Packaged gnocchi
**Step-by-Step Directions**
1. **Preheat the Oven**: Begin by setting your oven to 425°F (220°C). This elevated temperature guarantees that the chicken skin turns crispy while the vegetables caramelize superbly.
2. **Prep the Ingredients**: Cut the bell peppers and onion into strips, halve the cherry tomatoes, and mince the garlic. Slice the sausage links into bite-sized chunks.
3. **Arrange the Sheet Pan**: On a spacious sheet pan, position the chicken thighs, sausage pieces, bell peppers, onion, garlic, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil, then generously season with salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme.
4. **Incorporate the Gnocchi**: Disperse the packaged gnocchi throughout the pan. These will cook in tandem with the other ingredients, soaking up the delightful flavors.
5. **Make the Sauce**: In a small bowl, mix together white wine (or chicken broth) with red wine vinegar. Drizzle this blend over the ingredients on the sheet pan.
6. **Roast in the Oven**: Insert the sheet pan into the preheated oven and roast for roughly 35-40 minutes. The chicken should be fully cooked with crispy skin, and the vegetables should be tender with slight charring.
7. **Serve and Savor**: After cooking, take the sheet pan out of the oven. Allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving. You can garnish the dish with extra fresh herbs for an additional burst of flavor.
**Reasons to Love This Dish**
– **Convenience**: A sheet pan means less cleanup and an uncomplicated cooking method.
– **Flavorful**: The mix of succulent chicken, spicy sausage, and sweet peppers creates a delightful medley of flavors.
– **Versatile**: The dish lends itself to easy customization, allowing you to add other vegetables such as zucchini or mushrooms, or to opt for different types of sausage.
– **Comforting**: The inclusion of gnocchi makes this a filling, satisfying meal suitable for any time of the year.
Sheet Pan Chicken Scarpariello with Gnocchi exemplifies the charm of simple, rustic cuisine. It combines the best of Italian-American flavors in a convenient, modern format, destined to become a staple in your recipe collection.