Creamy Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet: Comfort Food at Its Best

When I’m craving something rich, savory, and packed with flavor, I make this creamy Texas Roadhouse butter chicken skillet. It’s inspired by the classic steakhouse-style comfort food—tender chicken simmered in a buttery, creamy sauce with a hint of garlic and herbs. Made all in one skillet, it’s perfect for busy nights when I want something satisfying without the fuss.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how this dish brings restaurant-style flavor right into my kitchen in under 30 minutes. The chicken is juicy, the sauce is silky and flavorful, and everything comes together in one pan. It pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, rice, or even warm bread to soak up every drop of the buttery cream sauce. It’s a hearty, homestyle meal that feels fancy but couldn’t be easier.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

• Salt and black pepper

• Garlic powder

• Paprika

• Olive oil or butter (for searing)

• Unsalted butter (for the sauce)

• Garlic, minced

• Heavy cream

• Chicken broth

• Fresh parsley or thyme (optional, for garnish)

• Optional: grated parmesan for extra richness

Directions

1. I season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika on both sides.

2. In a large skillet, I heat olive oil or a bit of butter over medium-high heat, then sear the chicken until golden brown on both sides and cooked through. I remove it and set it aside.

3. In the same skillet, I reduce the heat and melt the butter, then sauté the garlic until fragrant.

4. I stir in the heavy cream and a splash of chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits for flavor.

5. I let the sauce simmer until slightly thickened, about 5–7 minutes.

6. I return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over it, and simmer for another few minutes to heat through.

7. I garnish with chopped parsley or thyme before serving.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 4 and takes about 25–30 minutes from start to finish—10 minutes of prep and 15–20 minutes of cooking.

Variations

• I sometimes add sautéed mushrooms or spinach for extra texture and nutrition.

• A spoonful of Dijon mustard or a pinch of red pepper flakes gives the sauce a little zing.

• Swapping the cream for half-and-half makes the dish a bit lighter, while still creamy.

• For extra flavor, I add a handful of parmesan or a touch of lemon juice to brighten the sauce.

Storage/reheating

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm it gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce. I avoid microwaving too long to keep the chicken tender.

FAQs

What kind of chicken works best?

I use boneless breasts or thighs—both work well. Thighs are juicier, but breasts stay tender if not overcooked.

Can I make this dish ahead?

Yes, I often cook the chicken and make the sauce ahead, then reheat everything gently before serving.

Can I use milk instead of cream?

I don’t recommend regular milk—it can curdle and lacks the richness. Half-and-half is a better substitute if I want it lighter.

What sides go well with this?

I usually serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or even roasted vegetables. Crusty bread is perfect for scooping up the sauce.

Is this spicy?

Not at all—unless I add red pepper flakes. It’s rich and savory, not hot, which makes it family-friendly.

Conclusion

This creamy Texas Roadhouse butter chicken skillet is the ultimate comfort food—simple, rich, and packed with flavor. It’s easy enough for a weeknight and impressive enough for guests. When I want a quick skillet dinner that feels like a treat, this recipe is always at the top of my list.

Creamy Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet: Comfort Food at Its Best

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• Author: Linda
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop Skillet
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This creamy Texas Roadhouse butter chicken skillet is rich, garlicky, and loaded with homestyle flavor—made in one pan in under 30 minutes. With tender seared chicken simmered in a buttery, herb-infused cream sauce, it’s the ultimate comfort food perfect for weeknights or a cozy dinner.

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Ingredients

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• Salt and black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• 1–2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for searing)
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter (for the sauce)
• 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup chicken broth
• Fresh parsley or thyme, chopped (for garnish)
• Optional: ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

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Instructions

1. Season chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

2. Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden and cooked through (about 4–6 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.

3. Reduce heat to medium-low. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute).

4. Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Simmer until slightly thickened (5–7 minutes).

5. Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and cook for another 2–3 minutes to warm through.

6. Garnish with parsley or thyme before serving. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or bread.

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Notes

• For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for cream.
• Add parmesan or lemon juice for deeper flavor or brightness.
• Sautéed spinach or mushrooms make excellent add-ins.
• Don’t overcook the chicken—remove once just cooked to keep it juicy.