Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe
Introduction
This Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is a rich and creamy dish that combines tender chicken with a buttery, flavorful sauce. It’s perfect for a comforting weeknight meal and comes together in under an hour.

Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra juiciness)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, plus extra for garnish)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help it sear nicely. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: Lower the heat to medium. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and the chopped onion to the skillet. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
- Step 4: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the skillet to loosen browned bits. Reduce slightly, then stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook, stirring, until the sauce thickens. Whisk in the final tablespoon of butter if desired, and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- Step 5: Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the chicken, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 8–10 minutes until fully cooked and tender.
- Step 6: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish. Serve hot directly from the skillet with warm rolls, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier meat.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat or substitute fresh herbs like thyme or basil for a different aroma.
- If you don’t have Parmesan, try Pecorino Romano or another hard cheese to maintain richness.
- Use an oven-safe skillet like cast iron to simplify cooking and serving in one pan.
Storage
Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat to prevent the cream sauce from separating. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream if the sauce thickens too much.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe and will add extra juiciness and flavor. Adjust cooking time slightly to ensure they are cooked through.
Is it necessary to use heavy cream?
Heavy cream helps create the rich, velvety sauce typical of this dish. You can substitute with half-and-half for a lighter option, but the sauce may not thicken as well or be as creamy.
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Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet recipe combines perfectly seared chicken breasts with a rich, creamy butter sauce infused with garlic, smoked paprika, and Parmesan cheese. Cooked in one skillet, it delivers a hearty, comforting meal reminiscent of the beloved restaurant style. The sauce is buttery and smooth, simmered to tenderize the chicken, making it an ideal family-friendly dinner served with warm rolls, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra juiciness)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for a little heat)
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
Sauce
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, plus extra for garnish)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Generously season both sides of each piece with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and optionally cayenne pepper for heat.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken and cook for about 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Lower heat to medium in the same skillet. Add 1 tablespoon butter and chopped onion. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until soft and translucent, then stir in minced garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Create the Sauce: Pour in chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the skillet bottom. Let broth reduce slightly, then add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and starts to thicken. For extra buttery richness, whisk in the remaining tablespoon of butter. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or cayenne to taste.
- Simmer the Chicken in Sauce: Return chicken to skillet, nestling it into the creamy sauce. Spoon some sauce over each piece. Reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 8–10 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and tender.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish. Serve hot directly from the skillet alongside warm rolls, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- For juicier chicken, use boneless skinless thighs instead of breasts.
- Make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning to get a nice sear.
- The skillet used should be oven-safe if you want to keep the option of finishing the dish in the oven, though stovetop works perfectly here.
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your spice preference or omit for a milder flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken, creamy chicken skillet, butter chicken recipe, skillet chicken with sauce, American dinner recipes

