How to Make Creamy Butter Chicken Skillet – A Texas Roadhouse-Inspired Dish
This Texas Roadhouse-inspired creamy butter chicken skillet is a rich, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish that combines tender chicken, a buttery garlic sauce, and Parmesan cheese for the ultimate comfort meal. Cooked in just one pan, this recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or impressing guests with a restaurant-quality meal at home.
With a luxurious, velvety sauce, this dish pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, pasta, or a side of roasted vegetables. Whether you’re looking for a classic comfort food experience or a low-carb alternative, this recipe is versatile and easy to customize!
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Season the chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, paprika, dried parsley, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce thicken for about 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, coating it in the creamy sauce. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor—avoid pre-minced garlic for a more aromatic dish.
- Heavy cream is essential for a smooth, non-curdled sauce. Substituting milk may result in a thinner consistency.
- For extra depth, add a splash of chicken broth or white wine to deglaze the skillet before adding cream.
- If reheating, warm over low heat and stir frequently to maintain a creamy consistency.
- This dish is meal-prep friendly! Store leftovers and enjoy them for up to 3 days.