Picture this: it's 6 PM on a Wednesday, the kids are asking "what's for dinner?" for the third time, and you're staring into your fridge hoping inspiration will magically appear. Well, friend, let me introduce you to your new weeknight hero – this butter chicken skillet that tastes like it came straight from Texas Roadhouse's kitchen, but takes less than 30 minutes to make at home.
I'll be honest – this recipe happened by pure accident. I was trying to recreate that incredible buttery goodness from Texas Roadhouse (you know the one I'm talking about!), and after a few kitchen experiments that my family lovingly calls "mom's creative moments," I landed on this golden gem. Now it's requested at least twice a week, and I'm not complaining one bit.

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Why You'll Love This Butter Chicken Skillet
Let's talk about why this creamy texas roadhouse butter chicken skillet is about to become your new go-to dinner. First off, it's ridiculously simple – we're talking one skillet, minimal cleanup, and ingredients you probably already have hanging out in your pantry. The honey butter sauce? Pure magic. It's got that perfect balance of sweet and savory that makes even the pickiest eaters (looking at you, eight-year-old who only eats chicken nuggets) ask for seconds.
What really sets this apart from your average melt-in-your-mouth chicken breast recipe is the way that butter mixture caramelizes slightly in the pan, creating this gorgeous golden coating that looks restaurant-worthy but requires zero culinary school training. Plus, it's naturally gluten-free and can easily be made dairy-free with a simple butter substitute.
The best part? This texas roadhouse butter chicken skillet recipe is basically foolproof. I've made it on days when my brain was completely fried, and it still turned out beautifully. It's like having a reliable friend in recipe form.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need to create this copycat texas roadhouse butter chicken skillet magic:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish)
The beauty of this ingredient list is its simplicity. No exotic spices or hard-to-find items – just real, honest ingredients that work together like a perfectly choreographed dance. The smoked paprika is what gives it that slightly smoky depth that makes people ask, "what's your secret?" (Spoiler alert: now you know!)
If you're wondering what are the ingredients in texas roadhouse butter, you're looking at a similar flavor profile here. The combination of butter, honey, and those warm spices creates that signature taste we all crave.
How to Make Butter Chicken Skillet
This texas roadhouse butter chicken skillet bliss recipe comes together faster than you can say "dinner's ready!" Here's how we do it:
Step 1: Make Your Magic Butter Mixture In a small bowl, combine the butter, honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix it until it's smooth and gorgeous – this is where the magic happens. The mixture might look simple, but trust me, it's about to transform your chicken into something spectacular. This step reminds me of my grandmother's approach to cooking – she always said the secret was in how you combined your seasonings.
Step 2: Get That Golden Sear Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your chicken breasts and let them cook for 5-6 minutes per side until they're golden brown and cooked through. You're looking for an internal temperature of 165°F. Don't rush this step – that golden crust is where so much flavor lives. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest.
Step 3: Create the Sauce Here's where things get exciting. Add the chicken broth to your skillet to deglaze all those beautiful brown bits (that's pure flavor right there!). Stir in your butter mixture and watch it transform into a silky, aromatic sauce. This is essentially what texas roadhouse butter is made out of – simple ingredients that become extraordinary together.
Step 4: Bring It All Together Return your chicken to the skillet and coat it with that gorgeous sauce. Let everything simmer together for 2-3 minutes so the flavors can mingle and the chicken can absorb all that buttery goodness. Garnish with fresh parsley and prepare for the compliments to roll in.
Pro Tips for Perfect Results
After making this texas roadhouse smothered chicken inspired dish countless times, I've picked up a few tricks that make all the difference:
Don't Skip the Deglazing: Those brown bits stuck to the bottom of your pan after cooking the chicken? That's liquid gold, my friend. The chicken broth picks up all that flavor and incorporates it into your sauce.
Room Temperature Chicken: Take your chicken out of the fridge about 15 minutes before cooking. This helps it cook more evenly and prevents that dreaded "burned outside, raw inside" situation we've all experienced.
Butter Temperature Matters: If your butter is too cold, it won't mix well with the other ingredients. Let it soften slightly for the smoothest sauce. If you're wondering how long is texas roadhouse butter good for, homemade butter mixtures like this are best used within a few days when stored in the refrigerator.
For those busy nights when you want something similar but even quicker, try this crispy honey garlic chicken breasts recipe that uses a similar flavor profile.
Variations and Substitutions
One of my favorite things about this texas roadhouse honey butter chicken skillet is how adaptable it is. Here are some ways to make it your own:
Protein Swaps: Chicken thighs work beautifully here and stay even more tender. You could also try this with pork chops or even firm fish like salmon. For a lighter option, check out this healthy chicken and broccoli skillet that uses similar cooking techniques.
Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the butter mixture for a little heat. My teenager loves when I add just a touch of hot sauce to his portion.
Herb Variations: Try thyme, rosemary, or oregano in place of (or in addition to) the parsley. Fresh herbs always make everything taste more special.
Dairy-Free Option: Use vegan butter or olive oil in place of regular butter. The flavor won't be exactly the same, but it'll still be delicious.
If you're looking for more one-skillet wonders, this garlic parmesan chicken and potatoes recipe is another family favorite that follows a similar cooking method.
Storage and Reheating
This texas roadhouse butter chicken skillet ingredients combination keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the chicken and sauce together in an airtight container.
For reheating, I prefer using the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth to loosen the sauce. The microwave works too, but use 30-second intervals and stir between each one to prevent the butter from separating.
You can also prep the butter mixture ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just let it come to room temperature before using.
More Chicken Favorites:
- Longhorn Parmesan Chicken Recipe - Another restaurant copycat that's absolutely divine
- Perfect Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe - When you want bright, zesty flavors
- Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice Recipe - The ultimate comfort food combo
- Honey Roasted Carrots Recipe - Sweet and savory, just like our butter sauce
- Cheesy Broccoli Rice Recipe - Because cheese makes everything better
- Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes - The ultimate comfort side
- Simple Healthy Chicken and Vegetable Skillet - For when you want all your nutrients in one pan
- Hot Honey Chicken Bowls - Sweet heat that's absolutely addictive
- Chicken Broccoli Pasta - When you want carbs with your protein
- Easy White Chicken Chili - Perfect for those cozy nights when you want something heartyRéessayer
Frequently Asked Questions
and take about the same cooking time. Just make sure they reach 165°F internal temperature.
Absolutely! Thighs will stay more moist
While this recipe is designed for stovetop cooking, you could adapt it for a texas roadhouse butter chicken skillet slow cooker version. Cook the chicken and sauce separately first, then combine in the slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours.
This pairs beautifully with honey roasted carrots, creamy pesto pasta, or cheesy broccoli rice. For something lighter, try it with a simple green salad.
Keep your heat at medium or medium-low, and don't let the sauce cook too long after adding the butter mixture. The chicken broth helps regulate the temperature.
Of course! Just use a larger skillet or cook in batches. The sauce scales up perfectly.
Conclusion
This butter chicken skillet has become one of those recipes that makes dinner feel effortless, even on the most chaotic days. It's comfort food at its finest – simple, satisfying, and made with love. Whether you're feeding picky eaters or trying to impress guests, this dish delivers every single time.
The next time someone asks what's for dinner, you'll have your answer ready. And when they take that first bite and their eyes light up, you'll know you've got a winner. That's the real magic of cooking – turning simple ingredients into moments that bring people together around your table.


Creamy Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A quick, one-skillet wonder bursting with sweet and savory flavors, this creamy Texas Roadhouse-inspired butter chicken is the ultimate weeknight hero – minimal effort, maximum flavor.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the butter, honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Add chicken broth to the skillet, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom. Stir in the butter mixture and cook until the sauce is smooth and heated through.
- Return chicken to the skillet and coat with sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Let chicken come to room temperature before cooking for even results. Use vegan butter for a dairy-free version. This sauce keeps well in the fridge up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 115mg









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