Meet your new weeknight hero: the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet. This dish is everything you crave in comforting, home-style cooking — juicy chicken breasts, golden and seared, lounging in a rich, buttery sauce with a hint of honey and smoked paprika. It’s irresistibly savory, ultra-satisfying, and comes together in one skillet with minimal fuss. Each bite is bursting with bold flavors and a glossy finish, making it feel like a hearty restaurant favorite you’ll love serving again and again.

Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe is all in its simplicity: just a handful of kitchen staples, each one essential for building the taste, texture, or color that makes Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet such a treat. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why it matters.

Chicken breasts: Choose boneless, skinless for quick, even cooking and all the juicy goodness as the base of your skillet.
Olive oil: Adds flavor and helps achieve that beautiful, golden sear on your chicken.
Unsalted butter: The secret weapon for a rich, luxurious sauce that clings to every bite.
Honey: Just a tablespoon brings gentle sweetness and helps balance the smoky spices in the sauce.
Garlic powder: An aromatic touch that perfumes the dish and deepens the savory flavor.
Smoked paprika: This is your magic ingredient for a smoky warmth and gorgeous color.
Salt: Just enough to tie all the flavors together and make the other spices pop.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle kick and complexity without overpowering the dish.
Chicken broth: Used to deglaze the skillet and create a sauce that’s full of layered, savory taste.
Chopped parsley: A bright, fresh garnish that makes the finished dish look and taste lively.

How to Make Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

Step 1: Whip Up the Butter Sauce

Start by combining your unsalted butter, honey, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper in a small mixing bowl. Use a fork or small whisk to blend everything—what you’re looking for is a creamy, dreamy mixture that smells impossibly good already. Set it aside while you get going with the chicken. This butter sauce is the soul of the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet, infusing every bite with rich, savory flavor and a touch of sweetness.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken Breasts

Heat your olive oil over medium heat in a sturdy skillet. When the oil shimmers, add your chicken breasts. Let them cook undisturbed for 5 to 6 minutes per side—this patience pays off with golden, caramelized edges and juicy meat. You’re aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F. Once the chicken is beautifully cooked, transfer it to a plate and keep it warm.

Step 3: Build the Butter Sauce Base

Without cleaning the pan (keep all those tasty brown bits!), pour in your chicken broth to deglaze, scraping up every bit of flavor from the bottom. Now stir in the reserved butter mixture and let it melt and meld into the broth. The kitchen will smell like you’ve stepped into your favorite steakhouse, as the butter bubbles and the sauce turns glossy and thick.

Step 4: Return Chicken and Finish

Nestle the chicken breasts right back into the skillet, turning them so they soak up that luscious sauce. Simmer everything together for another 2 or 3 minutes. The chicken will drink in all the flavor, and you’ll see the sauce turn slightly syrupy—a clear sign your Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is ready for the spotlight.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle chopped parsley all over the skillet, letting the fresh green pop against the golden buttery sauce. Not only does it look gorgeous, but it also gives a welcome hit of brightness to every bite. Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce on top for good measure—you won’t want to waste a drop.

How to Serve Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

Garnishes

Don’t underestimate the power of a generous flourish of chopped parsley—its freshness lifts the richness of the dish so nicely. If you’re feeling extra, a quick hit of lemon zest or a few chives can add even more color and zing to your Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet.

Side Dishes

This skillet begs for something to soak up all that buttery sauce. Fluffy mashed potatoes, warm crusty bread, or a bed of buttery rice are perfect companions. For a lighter spread, pair with crisp green beans, roasted broccoli, or a simple side salad—the flavors in the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet play well with just about everything.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet family-style, straight from the pan—it’s bold, generous, and instantly inviting. For a dinner party twist, carve the chicken and fan out the slices on a platter, spooning the sauce and scattering herbs on top. You could even tuck the chicken into toasted buns for irresistible butter chicken sandwiches that no one will forget.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors get even richer overnight, making for a tempting lunch or quick dinner with minimal effort.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze leftover portions. Just cool the chicken and sauce completely, pack into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to two months. To thaw, let it sit in the fridge overnight for the best texture.

Reheating

For best results, gently reheat your chicken and sauce together in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth if needed to loosen things up. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too—just cover to keep things moist and heat in short bursts until warmed through.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs stay extra juicy and are very flavorful. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly, but they’re a great swap for the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet.

What if I don’t have smoked paprika?

Regular paprika works in a pinch, though you’ll miss a bit of the smoky edge. To mimic it, add a dash of chipotle powder or a little extra black pepper.

Is this recipe spicy?

Not really—smoked paprika and black pepper add gentle warmth without turning up the heat. If you want it spicier, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne.

Does this work with dairy-free butter?

Yes! Use your favorite plant-based butter substitute—the sauce will still be creamy and delicious, making the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet friendly for dairy-free eaters.

Can I double the recipe?

You sure can. Just use a larger skillet or cook the chicken in two batches, then return all pieces to the pan for simmering in the butter sauce.

Final Thoughts

I hope this Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet finds a spot in your regular meal rotation—you’ll love how easy it is to make and how much flavor every bite delivers. Give it a try the next time you’re craving hearty, homemade comfort with a touch of steakhouse magic.