The Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet brings the bold flavors of a classic American steakhouse dish right to your home kitchen. This one-pan meal features succulent chicken breasts seared to a golden brown and enveloped in a rich, creamy honey-butter sauce. The addition of smoked paprika and garlic powder infuses the dish with a smoky depth, while the honey adds a subtle sweetness that balances the savory elements perfectly.
Not only is this dish a feast for the taste buds, but it’s also incredibly easy to prepare. With minimal ingredients and a straightforward cooking process, you can have a restaurant-quality meal on your table in just 25 minutes. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or a special occasion, the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is sure to impress with its delightful flavors and satisfying textures.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
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2 teaspoons honey
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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¼ cup chicken broth
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1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish)
Directions:
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Prepare the Chicken:
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Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.
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Season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
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Sear the Chicken:
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes on one side until golden brown.
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Flip and cook for another 5-6 minutes on the other side until fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 75°C).
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Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
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Make the Butter Sauce:
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In the same skillet, add chicken broth to deglaze the pan.
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Stir in the butter-honey mixture and cook until smooth.
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Finish Cooking:
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Return the chicken to the skillet and coat with the sauce.
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Simmer for 2-3 minutes to absorb the flavors.
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Serve:
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Garnish with chopped parsley.
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Serve hot with your choice of sides, such as mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: Approx. 350 per serving
Servings: 4 servings
The Legacy Behind Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
The Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet draws its inspiration from the beloved flavors served at Texas Roadhouse—a restaurant known for its hearty, flavorful, and comforting American cuisine. This specific dish brings together the rustic charm of Southern cooking with the finesse of well-balanced seasoning and butter-based sauces. It’s not a traditional Indian butter chicken dish, despite the name similarity. Instead, it’s a creamy, savory skillet meal built around American comfort food roots, and has quickly become a crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners and family gatherings.
This dish is characterized by its tender, juicy chicken breasts pan-seared to perfection and then smothered in a luscious butter-honey-garlic sauce that hits all the right notes—rich, slightly sweet, and full of umami. The result is a harmonious balance that satisfies both picky eaters and those looking for a gourmet-style home-cooked meal.
Why This Dish Works So Well
One of the key reasons this dish has grown in popularity is its simplicity paired with restaurant-quality results. Every component of this dish is thoughtfully chosen to elevate flavor without overwhelming the palate. Smoked paprika adds a smoky undertone, garlic provides sharpness, and honey brings in subtle sweetness, while butter ties everything together in a silky, cohesive sauce.
The balance between these flavors makes this chicken skillet not just easy to make, but genuinely comforting to eat. You’re not left with an overly spicy or greasy meal—just a plate full of richness and heartiness that satisfies your soul. It’s the kind of dish that makes people come back for seconds, if not thirds.
Perfect for Any Occasion
The Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is incredibly versatile. It fits seamlessly into a weeknight dinner rotation due to its fast prep and cook time—ready in about 25 minutes. But it also holds its own at more formal gatherings thanks to its rich, polished flavor profile. Whether you’re cooking for your family, entertaining guests, or meal-prepping for the week, this dish offers consistency, elegance, and satisfaction.
Its simple elegance also makes it an ideal main course for holiday spreads, dinner parties, or date nights at home. Pair it with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, rice, or even a light salad, and you’ve got a full, balanced meal that doesn’t skimp on indulgence.
Healthier Comfort Food Made Easy
Though the dish contains butter, it’s still relatively light compared to traditional cream-heavy recipes. Using chicken breasts instead of thighs keeps it leaner, and because it’s pan-seared instead of deep-fried, you avoid unnecessary added fats. It’s possible to make this dish even lighter by substituting reduced-fat butter or using a smaller amount of oil.
You can also easily make it gluten-free or keto-friendly with minimal tweaks. Serve it with steamed vegetables, cauliflower rice, or mashed sweet potatoes to cater to a range of dietary needs. It’s a great example of how you can have a satisfying, flavor-packed meal without compromising your health goals.
A One-Pan Wonder
One of the biggest selling points of this recipe is its one-pan simplicity. All the magic happens in a single skillet, which not only makes for quick cleanup but also allows the chicken to absorb all the flavorful bits from the sauce and searing process. There’s something incredibly satisfying about a meal that delivers bold, layered flavor without piling up a mountain of dishes in the sink.
This also makes it an ideal recipe for beginner cooks or those looking to build confidence in the kitchen. With just a few ingredients and easy techniques, you can achieve a restaurant-style dish that feels both indulgent and approachable.
How to Customize This Skillet Dish
While the base recipe is perfection on its own, the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet offers plenty of opportunities for customization. Want to add more depth? Throw in sautéed mushrooms or caramelized onions. Looking to add a pop of color and freshness? Toss in cherry tomatoes or spinach in the final minutes of cooking.
If you’re cooking for spice lovers, you can easily up the heat by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a splash of hot sauce to the butter mixture. For a tangy twist, a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or a dash of lemon juice can enhance the complexity of the dish. It’s flexible, forgiving, and ready to adapt to whatever’s in your fridge or pantry.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken skillet is best served hot, right out of the pan, with the sauce spooned generously over each piece. Pair it with sides that can soak up that beautiful sauce. Mashed potatoes are the obvious classic—fluffy, buttery, and perfect for a comfort food pairing. Rice or pasta are equally effective carriers of flavor.
If you want a lighter side, steamed green beans, sautéed zucchini, or a crisp garden salad can help balance the richness of the main dish. A crusty piece of bread or dinner rolls can also work wonders to mop up every last bit of sauce from your plate.
For beverages, consider a crisp white wine like Chardonnay or a light beer. Even a sparkling water with lemon can help refresh your palate between each bite.
Tips for Perfect Execution
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Don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to ensure a proper sear.
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Use room temperature chicken. This helps cook the meat more evenly and avoids a tough texture.
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Deglaze the pan. The fond (brown bits) stuck to the skillet after searing are full of flavor. Use the chicken broth to scrape those up for a deeper sauce.
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Rest before slicing. Let the chicken sit for a few minutes after cooking to retain its juices and stay tender.
Why It’s a Family Favorite
There’s a reason why this dish becomes a go-to in households that try it—it’s a reliable, delicious, and satisfying recipe that fits all ages and preferences. Kids love the sweetness of the honey, adults appreciate the richness of the butter and garlic, and everyone enjoys the tender texture of well-cooked chicken.
It’s also a dish that holds up well for leftovers. Store it in the fridge and reheat in a skillet with a splash of broth or water to keep it moist. It even freezes fairly well, making it a great option for batch cooking and busy weeknights.
Conclusion
The Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is a stellar example of how a simple combination of ingredients can create a show-stopping dish. It’s flavorful, versatile, and made in one pan—checking every box for modern home cooks looking for a fast, foolproof, and fabulous meal. Whether you’re trying to impress guests or feed your family, this skillet dish brings the warmth and comfort of a restaurant-quality experience right to your table.
It’s not just dinner—it’s an experience. A rich, velvety sauce coating perfectly cooked chicken, all brought together with pantry staples and a touch of Southern charm. Once you try it, this recipe will quickly earn a permanent spot in your rotation.