The Ultimate Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet Recipe: Restaurant-Quality Comfort at Home

There’s something absolutely magical about walking into a Texas Roadhouse restaurant and being greeted by the tantalizing aroma of their famous butter-glazed dishes. Among their most beloved creations is the legendary butter chicken that has captured the hearts and taste buds of millions across America. Today, we’re bringing that same restaurant-quality experience directly to your kitchen with this incredible copycat recipe that delivers all the rich, savory flavors you crave.

This Texas Roadhouse-inspired butter chicken skillet isn’t just another chicken recipe – it’s a culinary experience that transforms ordinary weeknight dinners into something extraordinary. The secret lies in the perfect balance of herbs, spices, and that signature buttery glaze that creates a caramelized exterior while keeping the chicken incredibly tender and juicy on the inside.

What makes this recipe truly special is its versatility and simplicity. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight family dinner, entertaining guests, or simply wanting to treat yourself to restaurant-quality food at home, this one-pan wonder delivers every time. The beauty of this dish lies not only in its incredible flavor but also in its straightforward preparation method that even novice cooks can master with confidence.

The inspiration behind this copycat recipe comes from countless visits to Texas Roadhouse, where the butter chicken has become synonymous with comfort food excellence. By carefully analyzing the flavors and techniques used in the original, we’ve created a home-friendly version that captures every nuance of that beloved restaurant taste while using ingredients readily available in most kitchens.

This recipe serves up to six people generously, making it perfect for family gatherings or meal prep sessions. The total cooking time of just 30 minutes means you can have this restaurant-quality meal on your table faster than most delivery options, and at a fraction of the cost. Plus, cooking it at home allows you to control the ingredients and customize the seasoning to your family’s preferences.

The key to achieving that authentic Texas Roadhouse flavor lies in the preparation technique and the quality of ingredients used. We’ll be creating a herb-infused butter mixture that not only seasons the chicken but also creates that signature golden-brown crust that Texas Roadhouse is famous for. The combination of fresh herbs, garlic, and perfectly balanced spices creates layers of flavor that develop beautifully during the cooking process.

One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is its one-pan approach, which means minimal cleanup while maximum flavor development. The cast-iron skillet method allows for even heat distribution, ensuring each piece of chicken cooks uniformly while developing that coveted caramelized exterior that locks in all the natural juices.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Butter Sauce:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup chicken broth

For Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken seasoning mixture by combining salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in a small bowl. Season the chicken pieces evenly with this mixture, ensuring each piece is well-coated.

2. Heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Allow the oil to shimmer but not smoke, indicating the perfect temperature for searing.

3. Cook the chicken pieces in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Sear each piece for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.

4. Reduce heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. Allow it to melt completely while scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

5. Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to let it burn.

6. Stir in the honey, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce to the garlic butter, whisking continuously to create a smooth sauce.

7. Add the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

8. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat each piece thoroughly with the butter sauce. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to heat through.

9. Sprinkle with fresh herbs including parsley, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Toss gently to distribute the herbs evenly.

10. Remove from heat and let rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together perfectly.

11. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

12. Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or with warm dinner rolls to complete the authentic Texas Roadhouse experience.

The magic of this recipe lies in the careful balance of flavors and the technique used to build layers of taste throughout the cooking process. The initial searing of the chicken creates a beautiful caramelized surface that locks in moisture, while the butter sauce adds richness and depth that penetrates every bite.

This Texas Roadhouse butter chicken skillet represents the perfect marriage of restaurant-quality cooking techniques and home kitchen accessibility. The result is a dish that rivals anything you’d find in the restaurant, with the added satisfaction of creating something truly special in your own kitchen.

The versatility of this recipe makes it an excellent addition to your regular meal rotation. It pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, from classic mashed potatoes and green beans to more contemporary options like quinoa pilaf or roasted vegetables. The rich, savory flavors complement both traditional and modern accompaniments equally well.

Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet

Tender chicken pieces seared to perfection in a rich, herb-infused butter sauce that recreates the famous Texas Roadhouse experience at home.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Copycat

Calories: 385

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp onion powder
• 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Butter Sauce

• 0.5 cup unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp dried thyme
• 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 0.25 cup chicken broth

For Garnish

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
• 1 lemon cut into wedges

Equipment

• Cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan
• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Tongs

Method

 

1. Prepare the chicken seasoning mixture by combining salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in a small bowl. Season the chicken pieces evenly with this mixture.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.
3. Cook the chicken pieces in batches for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Allow it to melt completely while scraping up browned bits.
5. Add minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
6. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, whisking continuously to create a smooth sauce.
7. Add chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
8. Return cooked chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat with the butter sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes to heat through.
9. Sprinkle with fresh parsley, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Toss gently to distribute herbs evenly.
10. Remove from heat and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

For best results, use chicken thighs for extra tenderness. Serve over rice, mashed potatoes, or with warm dinner rolls. Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days.