There’s nothing quite like the aroma of butter and garlic hitting a hot skillet when you’re craving restaurant-quality comfort food at home. This Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet became my go-to weeknight savior after a particularly hectic month when takeout bills were spiraling out of control.
It was one of those rainy Tuesday evenings when my youngest had soccer practice canceled and everyone was hangry by 6 PM. I spotted chicken breasts in the fridge and remembered this honey-butter combination I’d been wanting to try. The result? Absolute silence at the dinner table followed by requests for “that chicken thing” every week since. What makes this Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet special is how the honey balances the rich butter while smoked paprika adds just enough warmth without overwhelming young taste buds. Best of all, everything happens in one pan, so cleanup takes less time than cooking. Let’s get cooking!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
I’ve made this recipe dozens of times now, and these specific ingredients create the perfect balance of flavors. The key is using real butter – I always keep European-style butter on hand because it makes such a difference in richness.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to 3/4-inch thickness for even cooking)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened – I recommend European-style for richer flavor
- 2 teaspoons honey (pure honey, not corn syrup blends)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika – My preference is sweet smoked paprika for deeper color and milder heat
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground if possible
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth – In my experience, low-sodium gives better control over final saltiness
- 1 tablespoon fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped – I usually buy a whole bunch and freeze what I don’t use
Step-by-Step Instructions
I recommend reading through all steps before starting since this recipe moves quickly once you begin heating the pan.
Step 1: Pat chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels and pound to 3/4-inch thickness for even cooking. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until completely smooth and creamy – it should look like flavored compound butter. Set aside at room temperature.
Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until it shimmers but doesn’t smoke. Add chicken breasts and cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and easily release from pan. Flip and cook another 5-6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 3: Remove chicken to a clean plate and tent with foil to keep warm. Add chicken broth to the hot skillet, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon – these add incredible flavor to the sauce.
Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in the prepared butter mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly, until sauce is smooth and glossy. If sauce seems too thick, add an extra tablespoon of broth.
Step 5: Return chicken to skillet and spoon sauce over each piece. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, allowing chicken to absorb flavors. The sauce should coat the chicken without being watery. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Perfect Sides for Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
The rich honey-butter sauce in this chicken pairs beautifully with sides that can either absorb those flavors or provide a fresh contrast.
Mashed potatoes: Creamy garlic mashed potatoes create the perfect vehicle for soaking up every drop of that delicious butter sauce while adding satisfying comfort food appeal.
Jasmine Rice: Fluffy, fragrant rice provides a neutral canvas that lets the honey-butter flavors take center stage while adding substance to make this a complete meal.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts: The slight bitterness and caramelized edges of properly roasted Brussels sprouts create a wonderful contrast to the sweet, rich chicken.
Simple Garden Salad: Fresh mixed greens with a light vinaigrette help cut through the richness and add refreshing balance.
Cauliflower Rice: For a low-carb option that still absorbs all those amazing flavors while keeping the meal lighter and more nutritious.
Storage & Serving Tips
Store leftover Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually intensify overnight, making leftovers incredibly satisfying.
For reheating, use a skillet over medium-low heat rather than the microwave to preserve the sauce’s silky texture. Add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce has thickened, and heat gently until warmed through.
I don’t recommend freezing this dish because butter-based sauces tend to separate and become grainy when thawed. However, you can prepare the seasoned butter mixture up to a week ahead and refrigerate until ready to use.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless thighs work wonderfully and stay incredibly tender. Just adjust cooking time to 7-8 minutes per side since thighs are typically thicker.
What if I don’t have smoked paprika?
Regular sweet paprika works fine, though you’ll miss some smoky depth. A tiny pinch of cumin adds similar earthiness without changing the flavor profile too dramatically.
How do I know when the sauce is ready?
The butter mixture should coat the back of a spoon and look glossy, not separated or oily. If it breaks, remove from heat and whisk in a tablespoon of cold butter to bring it back together.
Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat chicken breasts dry and pound to 3/4-inch thickness. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and creamy. Set aside at room temperature.
- Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add chicken breasts and cook undisturbed 6-7 minutes until golden brown and easily release from pan. Flip and cook 5-6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken to clean plate and tent with foil. Add chicken broth to hot skillet, scraping up browned bits with wooden spoon.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in prepared butter mixture. Cook 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly, until sauce is smooth and glossy. Add extra broth if too thick.
- Return chicken to skillet and spoon sauce over each piece. Simmer gently 2-3 minutes for chicken to absorb flavors. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Conclusion
This Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet proves that restaurant-quality dinners are absolutely achievable on busy weeknights. With simple pantry ingredients and one trusty skillet, you’ll create a meal that brings genuine excitement to your dinner table. The combination of honey sweetness, rich butter, and smoky paprika creates flavors that both adults and kids genuinely crave. Give this recipe a try tonight – I’m confident it’ll earn a permanent spot in your weekly rotation.
