Crave-Worthy Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

If you’re craving a rich, creamy, and deeply flavorful dinner, then this Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is going to become your new go-to meal. This easy, creamy Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet recipe bursts with bold flavors and combines tender chicken, buttery spices, and a luscious sauce into one satisfying dish that’s perfect for any night of the week. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or feeding a hungry family, this skillet meal brings comfort and excitement to your table in under 30 minutes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Bold, buttery flavor: The sauce packs a punch of buttery richness balanced with spices that wake up your taste buds.
  • Simple, quick prep: With straightforward ingredients and easy steps, you can get dinner on the table fast.
  • One-skillet convenience: Fewer dishes to clean means less hassle and more time to enjoy your meal.
  • Customizable spice level: Adjust the heat to your liking by tweaking the spices or adding fresh peppers.
  • Comfort food magic: Creamy, flavorful, and filling, it’s perfect for cozy nights or impressing guests.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet comes from simple, essential ingredients that each bring a unique flavor, texture, and color to the dish. From juicy chicken to creamy butter, every component complements the other perfectly.

  • Chicken breast or thighs: Tender and juicy, these provide the hearty protein base for the skillet.
  • Butter: The star of the show, it delivers rich creaminess and helps build the sauce.
  • Garlic and onions: Aromatics that add depth and a subtle savory sweetness.
  • Heavy cream or half and half: Creates that silky, luscious sauce that coats every bite.
  • Tomato paste: Adds a slight tang and vibrant color, balancing the creaminess.
  • Spices (paprika, cumin, chili powder): Key to achieving that bold Southwest-inspired flavor profile.
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley: Adds a fresh pop of green and brightness at the end.
  • Salt and pepper: Essential seasonings to bring everything together perfectly.

Variations for Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable, making it easy to customize based on your pantry, dietary needs, or flavor cravings. Don’t hesitate to tweak it and make it your own!

  • Spice it up: Add diced jalapeños or cayenne pepper for an extra kick of heat.
  • Swap protein: Use shrimp, tofu, or chickpeas for alternate delicious options.
  • Dairy-free option: Substitute coconut cream instead of heavy cream and vegan butter to keep it creamy without dairy.
  • Add veggies: Toss in bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms for added nutrition and color.
  • Cheesy twist: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or pepper jack on top and melt under the broiler for a gooey finish.
Crave-Worthy Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

How to Make Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by seasoning your chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and a dash of paprika. Heat a large skillet over medium heat, melt a bit of butter, then add the chicken pieces. Cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through, then remove from the skillet and set aside to rest.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

In the same skillet, melt the remaining butter and sauté the diced onions and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent. This step releases layers of flavor that become the foundation of the sauce.

Step 3: Build the Sauce

Add the tomato paste and spices like cumin, chili powder, and paprika to the onions and garlic. Stir well to coat and toast the spices, enhancing their aroma. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and turns creamy.

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over each piece. Reduce heat to low and let everything simmer for a few minutes, allowing the chicken to soak up all those buttery, flavorful juices.

Step 5: Finish and Garnish

Remove from heat and sprinkle fresh cilantro or parsley on top. This final touch adds brightness and freshness to the rich dish, making it ready to serve.

Pro Tips for Making Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

  • Use room temperature chicken: This helps it cook evenly and stay juicy.
  • Don’t rush the onions: Low and slow sautéing releases sweeter, deeper onion flavor.
  • Toast spices well: Blooming them in butter increases the aroma and intensifies taste.
  • Adjust cream thickness: Add a splash of chicken broth if sauce gets too thick; simmer until perfect.
  • Let it rest before serving: Give the skillet a few minutes off heat to let flavors meld beautifully.

How to Serve Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

Garnishes

Sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro, green onions, or even a squeeze of lime over your skillet to enhance visual appeal and add a burst of fresh, zesty flavor that balances the richness.

Side Dishes

This skillet pairs beautifully with warm garlic mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or buttery dinner rolls to soak up all that luscious sauce. Roasted vegetables or a light salad also make perfect, vibrant accompaniments.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the butter chicken skillet family-style in the pan it was cooked in, or plate individual portions draped over a bed of rice with extra sauce ladled on top for a restaurant-quality presentation at home.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping flavors intact and ready to enjoy later.

Freezing

This dish freezes well when wrapped tightly, either in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty wraps, and will maintain quality for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat to prevent the sauce from separating, adding a splash of cream or broth if necessary to restore creaminess.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs add extra juiciness and flavor, and they work perfectly in this recipe as a tender, succulent alternative.

Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe has a mild warmth from the spices, but it’s easily adjustable—add more chili powder or jalapeños if you like it hot, or reduce spices for a gentler flavor.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! Simply swap the butter for a plant-based alternative and use coconut cream or cashew cream to achieve a creamy texture without dairy.

What should I serve with this skillet meal?

Classic sides like rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread pair beautifully, but roasted or sautéed veggies add a fresh and colorful balance to the dish.

How long does it take to prepare and cook?

The Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet comes together in about 30 minutes, making it an ideal quick dinner that doesn’t sacrifice flavor.

Final Thoughts

If you love a hearty dinner that’s both rich and comforting with just the right amount of bold flavor, give this Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet a try. It’s an easy, creamy recipe that quickly becomes a meal your whole family will rave about. Once you taste that buttery, savory sauce combined with perfectly cooked chicken, it’s hard to resist coming back for seconds.

Related Posts

Print

Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

This Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is a rich, creamy, and flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender chicken cooked in a buttery, spiced sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for a quick, comforting dinner that combines bold Southwest-inspired flavors with a luscious sauce, ideal for family meals or cozy nights in.

  • Author: Maria
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Skillet Cooking
  • Cuisine: Southwestern American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 1 to 1.5 lbs chicken breasts or thighs, trimmed and patted dry

Dairy & Cream

  • 3 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream or half and half

Aromatics & Vegetables

  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Flavorings & Spices

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Garnishes

  • Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and a dash of paprika. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside to rest.
  2. Sauté the Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 3-5 minutes, to build the flavor base for the sauce.
  3. Build the Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste, paprika, cumin, and chili powder, coating the onions and garlic. Toast the spices for about 1 minute for enhanced aroma. Slowly pour in the heavy cream, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy.
  4. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over each piece, reduce heat to low, and let simmer for a few minutes to allow flavors to meld and the chicken to absorb the sauce.
  5. Finish and Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat and sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro or parsley on top for a bright, fresh finish. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and juiciness.
  • Sauté onions low and slow to develop sweeter and deeper flavor.
  • Toast spices in butter well to intensify their aroma and taste.
  • If sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of chicken broth and simmer to desired consistency.
  • Allow skillet to rest off heat for a few minutes before serving to meld flavors.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 33 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 130 mg

Keywords: butter chicken skillet, Texas Roadhouse style chicken, creamy chicken skillet, one-pan dinner, quick chicken recipe, buttery chicken sauce

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating