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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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