Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe

If you crave restaurant-worthy comfort food but want to keep things easy at home, the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is your new dinnertime hero. This dish brings together juicy, golden-seared chicken breasts with an irresistibly rich, buttery sauce that clings to every bite, infusing the chicken with a hint of honey, smoked paprika, and a pop of garlic. In under 30 minutes, you’ll enjoy a skillet full of Texas-style warmth that’s far more than the sum of its simple ingredients. Grab your favorite pan—this is the kind of meal that feels special enough for company, but casual enough for a cozy night in.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is in how a handful of straightforward ingredients create layers of Texan-inspired flavor. Each element plays a role in achieving that signature taste and luscious texture, so don’t skip anything!

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the perfect canvas for all that buttery sauce to shine and keep things lean yet juicy.
• Olive Oil: A splash to get your chicken beautifully browned and keep it from sticking to the skillet.
• Unsalted Butter: The star of the show, lending richness and a velvety finish to the sauce.
• Honey: Just enough sweetness to balance out the spices and make the flavors pop.
• Garlic Powder: For deep, savory backbone without any fuss or chopping.
• Smoked Paprika: Delivers a subtle smokiness and gorgeous color that sets this dish apart.
• Salt: Essential for amplifying every flavor note—don’t under-season!
• Black Pepper: Adds a gentle heat and rounds out the spices.
• Chicken Broth: Perfect for deglazing and carrying all those delicious bits of flavor into the sauce.
• Chopped Parsley: A bright and fresh garnish that’s as good for your eyes as it is for your taste buds.

How to Make Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

Step 1: Mix the Butter Sauce

Start by grabbing a small mixing bowl. Toss in your unsalted butter (softened), honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Use a spoon or small whisk to combine everything until it’s perfectly smooth. This quick step creates a rich, decadent butter base that will soon transform your chicken into a flavor-packed star of the skillet.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, lay the chicken breasts in gently. Let each side cook for about 5-6 minutes—don’t move them too soon! That rich, golden brown crust adds both flavor and texture. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer; you’re looking for an internal temp of 165°F. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and keep it cozy while you work the skillet magic.

Step 3: Make the Skillet Sauce

With the chicken out, keep the heat on and pour the chicken broth into the same skillet. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits stuck to the bottom—this deglazing step steeps the sauce with loads of flavor. Swirl in your prepared butter mixture and let it bubble for a minute or two, stirring until everything melts together into a glossy, fragrant sauce.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Set the chicken breasts right back into the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the tops so every inch is coated. Let everything simmer together for 2-3 minutes, until the chicken has absorbed the buttery, smoky, garlicky flavor. This step is where the transformation really happens—your kitchen will smell amazing!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Last step—sprinkle chopped parsley over the skillet, letting its fresh color pop against that rich sauce. Serve your Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet straight from the pan for a dramatic “wow” moment at the dinner table. That’s it: ready, set, dig in!

How to Serve Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

Garnishes

Don’t underestimate the finishing touch! A generous sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley balances out the richness of the sauce and brings brightness to your plate. If you have it, a pinch of flaky sea salt or a grind of black pepper just before serving can make those final flavors sing.

Side Dishes

This Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet begs to be paired with something hearty to soak up the luscious sauce. Think fluffy mashed potatoes, crusty bread, steamed rice, or even buttered noodles. For a pop of color and crunch, add a side of roasted green beans or a crisp salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, slice the chicken and fan it out in the skillet, then drizzle with extra sauce and sprinkle on more parsley. Hosting a casual gathering? Serve it family-style right from the pan, letting guests help themselves. If you’re meal prepping, divide everything into bowls with rice and veggies for the ultimate grab-and-go lunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Allow any remaining Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet to cool, then transfer the chicken and sauce to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will deepen as it rests, making leftovers uniquely tasty!

Freezing

If you want to save your skillet creation for a future meal, you can freeze cooked chicken and sauce together in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.

Reheating

When it’s time to reheat, place the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce needs loosening up. Warm until heated through, being careful not to overcook the chicken, so it stays juicy and tender.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs will be delicious here; they’re even juicier and hold up beautifully to the buttery sauce. Just adjust cook time as thighs may take a bit longer than breasts.

How spicy is the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet?

The smoked paprika adds warmth and a hint of smoky depth without any heat. If you want more kick, try adding a pinch of cayenne or a few chili flakes to the butter mixture.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, you can! Swap in a good dairy-free butter alternative to achieve that silky sauce. The flavor will be a little different, but you’ll still get the spirit of the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet.

What can I substitute for honey?

If you don’t have honey on hand, maple syrup or agave nectar work beautifully as sweeteners. They add their own unique twist, but the balance of sweet and savory remains spot-on.

How do I know when the chicken is cooked perfectly?

Use an instant-read thermometer and make sure the thickest part of each breast reads 165°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, pierce the thickest spot with a knife—the juices should run clear and the meat should be opaque.

Final Thoughts

This Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is one of those rare recipes that feels both rustic and a little bit magical—a weeknight favorite that you’ll want to serve to friends, family, or anyone who appreciates big, bold flavors. If you give it a try, it’s sure to earn a spot in your regular rotation. Grab your skillet, savor every bite, and enjoy!

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