Cowboy Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe

Introduction

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Skillet is a rich, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a luscious, herb-infused butter sauce. It’s perfect for a comforting weeknight meal that feels a bit special without extra fuss.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 (6- to 8-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/2 c. (or more) low-sodium chicken broth
• 4 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp. horseradish
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika
• 3 tbsp. thinly sliced chives, plus more for serving
• 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil. Season the chicken breasts on all sides with half of the salt and pepper (1/2 tsp. each). Cook the chicken, turning halfway through, until golden brown, about 7 to 8 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate.
2. Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter in the same skillet. Add the chopped shallot and garlic, cooking and stirring just until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in the chicken broth, Dijon mustard, horseradish, smoked paprika, chives, parsley, and thyme. Whisk the mixture to combine and season with the remaining salt and pepper (1/2 tsp. each).
4. Step 4: Bring the sauce to a low simmer. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer and the sauce has slightly reduced, about 8 to 10 minutes depending on thickness. If the sauce thickens too much, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of chicken broth to loosen it into a pourable consistency.
5. Step 5: Serve the chicken breasts with the buttery sauce poured over the top. Garnish with extra sliced chives before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
• Swap chicken breasts for thighs for a juicier, more flavorful option.
• If fresh herbs are unavailable, use about 1 teaspoon of dried herbs but add them earlier in the sauce to allow flavors to bloom.
• Serve with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious butter sauce.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat to prevent the sauce from separating, adding a splash of broth if needed to loosen the sauce.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

It’s best to use fully thawed chicken breasts for even cooking and proper browning. Cooking from frozen may result in unevenly cooked chicken.

What can I substitute for horseradish if I don’t have any?

If you don’t have horseradish, you can substitute with a small amount of prepared mustard or a pinch of wasabi for a similar pungent kick, but adjust to taste.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 113 reviews

• Author: Mariam
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

This Cowboy Butter Chicken Skillet is a rich and flavorful dish featuring juicy pan-seared chicken breasts smothered in a creamy butter sauce infused with shallots, garlic, Dijon mustard, horseradish, smoked paprika, and fresh herbs. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, the sauce is simmered to perfection, creating a velvety coating that complements the golden-brown chicken beautifully.

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Ingredients

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Chicken

• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 (6- to 8-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
• 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided

Sauce

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
• 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup (or more) low-sodium chicken broth
• 4 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp. horseradish
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika
• 3 tbsp. thinly sliced chives, plus more for serving
• 2 tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme

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Instructions

1. Prepare and Season the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high and add the olive oil. Season the chicken breasts evenly on all sides with half of the kosher salt and pepper, reserving the rest for later.
2. Cook the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken in the hot skillet and cook, flipping halfway through, until golden brown on both sides, approximately 7 to 8 minutes per side. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
3. Make the Sauce Base: Reduce the skillet heat to medium and add the unsalted butter. Once melted, add the finely chopped shallot and garlic, cooking and stirring until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
4. Add Flavors to the Sauce: Stir in the chicken broth, Dijon mustard, horseradish, smoked paprika, sliced chives, parsley, and thyme. Whisk these ingredients together to create a well-blended sauce. Season with the remaining salt and pepper.
5. Simmer the Chicken in Sauce: Bring the sauce to a low simmer. Return the chicken along with any juices back into the skillet. Cook this mixture, stirring occasionally, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by an instant-read thermometer and the sauce has slightly reduced. This should take about 8 to 10 minutes depending on chicken thickness. If the sauce becomes too thick, add an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of chicken broth to loosen it.
6. Serve: Plate the chicken and generously pour the butter sauce over it. Garnish with extra sliced chives for a fresh, vibrant finish.

Notes

• Adjust the amount of chicken broth to control the sauce thickness.
• Rest the chicken a few minutes after cooking to keep it juicy.
• Serve with mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
• For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
• Fresh herbs can be substituted or adjusted based on availability and preference.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken, chicken skillet recipe, creamy chicken dinner, stovetop chicken recipe, savory chicken with herbs