Say hello to your new weeknight favorite: the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet. This dish is legendary for its perfectly seared, juicy chicken breasts, bathed in a silky, buttery sauce kissed with honey and warm spices. Each bite delivers a rich blend of savory and subtly sweet flavors with just a touch of smokiness, just like your favorite roadhouse, but cozy and homemade. It’s a meal that feels special without a fussy ingredient list or complicated steps, making it just right when you want restaurant-quality comfort with zero stress.

Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is its simple, fail-proof pantry staples. Each ingredient brings something essential, working together to make a show-stopping skillet that’s as irresistible as it is easy. Here’s what makes every bite shine:

Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a classic for their tenderness and juiciness, especially when seared and simmered in buttery sauce.
Olive Oil: A swirl of olive oil ensures golden, even browning and locks in moisture while cooking.
Unsalted Butter: The star of the sauce for that luscious, creamy finish—unsalted lets you control the salt level.
Honey: Just a bit adds balance, bringing subtle sweetness to offset the garlic and smoky paprika.
Garlic Powder: Essential for a rounded, savory layer of flavor without overpowering the delicate butter sauce.
Smoked Paprika: Brings warmth and a hint of smokiness, making the skillet taste authentically “roadhouse.”
Salt: A little goes a long way in elevating all the flavors in the skillet.
Black Pepper: Freshly cracked if possible for a gentle peppery zing in every mouthful.
Chicken Broth: This deglazes the pan, catching all those golden flavorful bits, and helps meld the sauce together.
Chopped Parsley: A fresh garnish for just the right pop of color and herby aroma to finish the dish.

How to Make Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

Step 1: Make the Decadent Butter Sauce

Start by grabbing a small mixing bowl and combining your unsalted butter, honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Use a fork or small whisk to blend everything together until you have a smooth, luscious mixture. This rich butter sauce is what transforms everyday chicken into the extraordinary Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet. Set it aside—you’ll need it in just a bit.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it shimmers, add your chicken breasts in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes on each side, until you see a beautiful golden crust and the juices run clear. You want the internal temperature to reach 165°F for juicy, perfectly cooked chicken. Once done, carefully remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate—don’t worry, it’s coming back!

Step 3: Build the Flavorful Pan Sauce

Next, with your skillet still warm, pour in the chicken broth. Using a wooden spoon, gently scrape any golden bits off the bottom—they’re flavor gold! Then, stir in the butter mixture you prepared earlier and let it melt into the broth. In a minute or two, you’ll see the sauce come together, turning glossy and smooth.

Step 4: Simmer Everything Together

Now, return your chicken breasts to the skillet and nestle them into the sauce. Spoon the buttery mixture over each piece, letting them simmer for 2-3 minutes so they soak up all those delicious flavors. The aroma will be impossible to resist—this, right here, is why the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet has such a cult following!

Step 5: Garnish and Serve Hot

Sprinkle the fresh chopped parsley over the chicken right before taking the skillet to the table. This not only gives a splash of vibrant green but makes the entire dish feel fresh and complete. Dive in while the sauce is still warm and silky!

How to Serve Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh parsley is a must—it lifts the whole dish visually and with a kiss of herby brightness. For an extra-special touch, you can add a twist of freshly cracked black pepper or a thin drizzle of honey across the chicken right before serving. This highlights both heat and sweetness, playing up everything you love about Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet.

Side Dishes

This chicken skillet begs for sides that can soak up all that gorgeous sauce! Fluffy mashed potatoes are the go-to, but buttery basmati rice, garlic green beans, or roasted cauliflower rice (for a low-carb option) work wonderfully. Steamed broccoli also adds color and snap, making the meal even more satisfying and balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

For family-style, bring the bubbling skillet right to the table for a cozy, shareable meal. On busy nights, spoon the chicken and sauce onto toasted sourdough bread for a hearty open-faced sandwich. Entertaining? Slice the chicken and serve it atop pillowy dinner rolls with extra sauce for an irresistible slider party platter. With a little imagination, the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet fits every occasion.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, store leftover Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors only get deeper and richer, making it the ultimate lunch or dinner the next day. Spoon any extra sauce over the chicken to keep it moist.

Freezing

You can freeze the cooked chicken and sauce together for up to a month. Let it cool completely before packing into freezer-safe containers or bags. When you’re ready for a taste of roadhouse comfort, thaw in the fridge overnight for best results.

Reheating

For best results, reheat the chicken and sauce gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if necessary to loosen the sauce. You can also microwave on medium in 1-minute bursts, stirring the sauce in between, until everything is heated through and delicious again.

FAQs

Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs bring extra juiciness and absorb the buttery sauce beautifully. Just adjust the cooking time—thighs may take a couple of minutes longer per side, but the result will still be pure Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet comfort.

What can I use if I don’t have smoked paprika?

If you’re out of smoked paprika, try regular paprika plus a teeny pinch of chipotle powder or a drop of liquid smoke for that signature warmth. The hint of smokiness is what gives this dish its trademark Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet flavor, but even just regular paprika works in a pinch.

How can I make the sauce creamier?

For lovers of extra-luxurious sauce, stir in a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk after the butter has melted into the broth. This makes the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet velvety and restaurant-rich, especially nice for colder nights.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! All the ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free, so the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is perfect for anyone avoiding wheat. Just double-check your chicken broth if allergies are a concern, as some brands can contain hidden gluten.

Can I make this spicy?

Of course! For a little Texas kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the butter mixture, or serve the finished skillet with your favorite hot sauce on the side. This way, you can control the heat level and make it your own, while still enjoying everything that makes Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet special.

Final Thoughts

Every home cook deserves a go-to skillet supper, and Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet more than earns its place in your weeknight rotation. It’s easy, comforting, and packs in all the flavor of your favorite steakhouse. Give it a try the next time you need a dose of cozy, buttery goodness—you’ll wonder how you ever cooked chicken any other way!