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When the week gets busy, you need dinner recipes that are fast, easy, and guaranteed to please everyone without leaving a mountain of dishes. Meet your new go-to: this Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet. This entire flavor-packed meal comes together in under 30 minutes using just one pan! Simple ingredients transform into a savory, buttery chicken dinner that tastes like you spent hours on it, making it the perfect solution for hectic weeknights.
This texas roadhouse butter chicken skillet recipe transforms simple ingredients into something absolutely spectacular. Tender chicken breasts coated in a rich, buttery garlic sauce deliver that perfect balance of savory, creamy, and indulgent flavors that make this restaurant-style chicken recipe absolutely irresistible for any family-friendly chicken meal.
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Why You’ll Love This Easy Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
This creamy garlic butter chicken has that perfect combination of restaurant-quality flavors and home-cooked comfort that makes every bite absolutely satisfying. The cast iron skillet chicken method creates beautifully seared, golden chicken that stays incredibly juicy while developing those delicious caramelized edges we all crave. Each piece gets coated in that signature rich savory pan sauce that’s loaded with garlic, butter, and herbs for incredible depth of flavor.
What really sets this Southern comfort chicken skillet apart is how it delivers those authentic Texas Roadhouse inspired recipe flavors without any of the complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. This creamy texas roadhouse butter chicken skillet recipe comes together in just one pan, making cleanup a breeze while creating a dinner that feels both special and comforting. The buttery sauce is so good you’ll want to serve it over rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up every last drop.
Ingredients for Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
This texas roadhouse butter chicken skillet recipe copycat uses simple, accessible ingredients that recreate those beloved restaurant flavors perfectly. The key is in the combination of butter, garlic, and seasonings that create that signature taste we all remember and crave.
What You’ll Need
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6-8 oz each)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Texas Roadhouse Butter Sauce:
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Why These Ingredients Matter
The secret to authentic Texas Roadhouse flavors is in that perfect balance of butter, garlic, and honey that creates their signature taste. Real butter is absolutely essential here – it provides both richness and that distinctive flavor that margarine simply can’t replicate. The combination of chicken broth and heavy cream creates the perfect sauce consistency that coats the chicken beautifully without being too thick or too thin. Fresh garlic is crucial for that aromatic base, while the touch of honey adds just enough sweetness to balance the savory elements perfectly.
Instructions for Making Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder on both sides. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Heat a large frying pan to medium high heat with olive oil until shimmering.
Step 3: Add seasoned chicken breasts and sear for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove and set aside.
Step 4: In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Step 5: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 6: Add remaining butter, heavy cream, honey, parsley, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Whisk until smooth and creamy.
Step 7: Return chicken to the skillet and simmer in the sauce for 3-4 minutes, spooning sauce over chicken frequently.
Step 8: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Step 9: Serve immediately while hot, spooning extra sauce over each piece.
Hint: Don’t move the chicken too early during the searing process – let it develop that beautiful golden crust before flipping! This creates those delicious caramelized flavors that make restaurant chicken so special. For another indulgent comfort food dinner, try this marry me chicken pasta when you want something equally rich and satisfying.
Top Tip
The secret to perfect Texas Roadhouse butter chicken is getting that beautiful golden sear on the chicken first – this creates incredible flavor and keeps the meat juicy throughout cooking. Make sure your pan is properly heated before adding the chicken, and resist the urge to move it around too much. Also, don’t skip scraping up those browned bits when making the sauce – they add tremendous depth and flavor to the final dish.
Let your chicken rest at room temperature before cooking for the most even results, and always use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness. The sauce should be creamy and smooth – if it seems too thick, add a splash more chicken broth; if too thin, let it simmer a bit longer to reduce. For another Southern-inspired comfort dish, this chicken fried steak offers similar hearty, satisfying flavors.
My Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet Story
I’ll never forget the first time I tasted this dish at Texas Roadhouse – I was completely blown away by how something so seemingly simple could be so incredibly flavorful and satisfying. I spent months trying to recreate it at home with mixed results, getting close but never quite capturing that perfect balance of buttery richness and garlic flavor that made the original so special.
The breakthrough came when I realized the secret wasn’t just in the ingredients, but in the technique of building the sauce right in the same pan where I’d seared the chicken. Grandma watched me make my first successful attempt and said, “Jazzy, the best flavors come from not wasting a single bit of what the pan gives you.” She was absolutely right – those browned bits and the fond from the chicken are what make this sauce so incredibly delicious.
Substitutions for Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
If you need to adapt this best texas roadhouse butter chicken skillet recipe for different needs, here are swaps that work well:
- Chicken breasts – chicken thighs work beautifully and stay even more juicy, or try pork chops for different protein
- Heavy cream – half-and-half works but sauce will be slightly thinner, or use whole milk with a tablespoon of flour
- Fresh garlic – 2 teaspoons garlic powder in a pinch, though fresh gives much better flavor
- Chicken broth – vegetable broth or white wine work for different flavor profiles
- Honey – maple syrup or brown sugar provide similar sweetness balance
The beauty of skillet cooking is how adaptable the technique is while still delivering those incredible restaurant-style results. For another comforting Italian-inspired dish, this san giorgio lasagna recipe offers equally satisfying family dinner vibes.
Variations on Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
This comfort food recipes base is perfect for so many delicious variations:
- Mushroom Addition – add sliced mushrooms with the garlic for extra umami and texture
- Herb Crusted – coat chicken in fresh herbs before searing for added flavor
- Spicy Version – increase red pepper flakes or add cayenne for heat lovers
- Lemon Butter – add fresh lemon juice and zest to the sauce for bright citrus notes
- Slow Cooker Method – for texas roadhouse butter chicken skillet recipe slow cooker style, brown chicken first then transfer to slow cooker with sauce ingredients
- Bacon Wrapped – wrap chicken in bacon before searing for extra indulgence
Each variation keeps that signature buttery richness while giving you different flavor profiles for any preference or occasion.
Equipment for Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
The right tools make this quick chicken recipes project so much easier:
- Large cast iron or heavy skillet – essential for even searing and heat retention
- Meat thermometer – ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time
- Tongs – for easy, safe flipping without piercing the meat
- Whisk – for creating smooth, lump-free sauce
- Cutting board – for safe chicken preparation and resting
If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, any heavy-bottomed pan works well – just make sure it can handle medium-high heat without warping. The key is having a pan that distributes heat evenly for perfect searing.
Storage Tips for Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
This chicken skillet recipes favorite stores beautifully for easy meal planning:
- Refrigerator – store leftover chicken and sauce for up to 3 days in airtight containers
- Freezer – freeze cooked chicken (without sauce) for up to 3 months
- Reheating – reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed
- Make-ahead tip – you can prep and season chicken ahead, but cook fresh for best texture
- Sauce storage – the butter sauce is best made fresh, as it can separate when reheated
The flavors actually develop beautifully overnight, making leftovers almost as good as the original meal.
Grandma’s Secret for Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
Grandma always lets her butter come to room temperature before starting the sauce – she says cold butter doesn’t melt as smoothly and can make the sauce look broken. “Jazzy, patience with your butter makes all the difference between restaurant-quality and home-cook amateur,” she’d remind me while setting the butter out an hour before cooking.
Look at this gorgeous golden chicken glistening with that rich, creamy butter sauce – pure restaurant magic made at home!
FAQ about Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
What seasoning does Texas Roadhouse use on their chicken?
Texas Roadhouse typically uses a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika on their chicken, along with their signature butter sauce that contains garlic, herbs, and a touch of honey for sweetness.
What are common mistakes when making butter chicken?
The most common mistakes are overcooking the chicken (making it dry), not getting a proper sear, and making the sauce too thick or breaking it by adding cold ingredients too quickly to hot butter.
What is the butter they use at Texas Roadhouse?
Texas Roadhouse uses a whipped honey butter for their rolls, but this chicken dish features a different garlic herb butter sauce that’s more savory and rich rather than sweet.
Can you cook chicken in a skillet with butter?
Yes, but start with oil for searing since butter burns at high heat. Add butter later for the sauce or finish, which gives you the best of both worlds – proper searing and rich butter flavor.
Conclusion
There’s something truly special about recreating a restaurant favorite at home, and this Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet delivers that ‘night out’ feeling with weeknight ease. It’s more than just a quick meal; it’s a way to bring your family together over a dish that feels both comforting and a little bit fancy. For another elegant dinner option that’s equally impressive, try these floriditas cheese scones as a perfect side dish. If you’re looking for more garlic butter inspiration, I found these amazing garlic butter chicken bites that offer similar bold flavors in bite-sized portions.
I hope this copycat recipe helps you create some wonderful memories around your own dinner table.
Grandma’s Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet (Copycat)
Equipment
- 1 Large cast iron or heavy skillet Grandma swore by her cast iron. She said it holds the heat and the memories just right.
- 1 Meat thermometer
- 1 Tongs
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 oz each)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For Grandma's Butter Sauce:
- 6 tablespoons butter Unsalted is best, so you can control the saltiness yourself.
- 6 cloves garlic Minced. Don't be shy with this!
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes Optional, but Grandma loved the tiny bit of warmth it added.
Instructions
- On a clean cutting board, pat the [boneless, skinless chicken breasts] dry. In a small bowl, mix the [salt], [black pepper], [paprika], and [garlic powder]. Sprinkle this seasoning generously over all sides of the chicken. Grandma always said to let the chicken "rest and think about things" on the counter for about 15 minutes to let the flavors sink in.
- Heat the [olive oil] in your skillet over medium-high heat. You'll know it's ready when it shimmers. Carefully place the chicken in the pan. I can still hear Grandma saying, "Don't crowd them, honey, and don't touch them!" Let them cook for 6-7 minutes per side, until they have a beautiful, deep golden-brown crust. Once cooked to 165°F, remove them to a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add 2 tablespoons of the [butter] to the same skillet. Once it's melted and foaming, add the minced [garlic]. Cook for just a minute until you can smell that wonderful garlic aroma filling your kitchen. Don't let it burn!
- Pour in the [chicken broth], and use your whisk or a wooden spoon to scrape up all those browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Grandma called this "pan gold," and she insisted it was the secret to any good sauce.
- Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of [butter], the [heavy cream], [honey], [dried parsley], [dried thyme], and the [red pepper flakes]. Whisk everything together until the sauce is smooth and creamy and has just started to bubble.
- Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes, spooning that incredible sauce over the chicken again and again. Taste the sauce and add a pinch more [salt] or [pepper] if you think it needs it. Serve hot, with plenty of extra sauce for spooning over rice or potatoes.
Notes
- Grandma’s Butter Secret: Always use room temperature butter for the sauce. Cold butter can “break” the sauce. Grandma would set hers on the counter an hour before she started cooking, saying, “Patience with your butter makes all the difference.”
- Don’t have heavy cream? You can use half-and-half, but the sauce will be a little thinner.
- Storage: Leftovers are wonderful! Store the chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors get even better overnight. Reheat gently in a skillet.
