Chicken Vesuvio

I like to turn ordinary chicken into an exciting meal with dishes such as chicken adobo, one pan maple dijon chicken, cider glazed chicken, savory Moroccan chicken, rich and creamy chicken fricassee and this classic version of chicken Vesuvio. You simply can’t go wrong with a one pot chicken meal. They’re easy to make, and clean up is a breeze! This Chicken Vesuvio is the perfect dinner option for those busy weeknights. For more easy chicken dinner ideas, check out my list of 20 one pot chicken recipes!

What is chicken Vesuvio?

Chicken Vesuvio originated in Chicago, and features bone-in chicken pieces and potatoes that are cooked until golden brown, then served in a white wine and butter sauce with peas. It is thought that this dish came from Vesuvio restaurant, which is how it got its name.

How do you make chicken Vesuvio?

Start by cooking your chicken thighs in a hot pan until they’re golden brown. Next, add potato wedges to the pan and cook until they form a brown crust. Finally, add onions and garlic and cook until tender. Make a sauce with white wine, chicken broth and seasonings, then place the chicken and potatoes in the sauce. Put the pan in the oven, and bake until everything is browned and the chicken and potatoes are cooked through. Add peas to the pan and cook for a few more minutes. Finally, add a squeeze of lemon juice and sprinkle of parsley, then serve and enjoy.

Tips for the perfect dish

Chicken Vesuvio really works best with bone-in skin-on chicken pieces. I use thighs, but you could use a combination of thighs and drumsticks, or even bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts. Be aware that the chicken breasts may take longer to cook as they are larger in size. Frozen peas work just fine here, no need to seek out fresh peas. I don’t recommend using canned peas as the flavor and texture is inferior. This dish really stands alone as a one pot meal, but you can add a green salad or loaf of bread as a side dish if you like. Leftovers will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 days, or can go in the freezer for 2 months. Use a white wine that you’d enjoy drinking such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir or Sauvignon Blanc.

Flavor variations

This dish is fabulous as-is, but you can add other flavors to customize it to your tastes.

Protein: Swap out the chicken for pork chops for an untraditional, but still delicious dish. Vegetables: Instead of peas you can use lima beans or fava beans. You can also add extra vegetables such as sauteed mushrooms or fresh spinach. Potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes make a nice substitute for Russet potatoes. Toppings: You can add green olives, capers or lemon zest at the end of the cook time for extra flavor.

I love this dish because it’s easy enough to put together on a busy weeknight, but fancy enough to serve to company.