Ladies, get ready to bring that Texas Roadhouse magic right into your own kitchen! This Butter Chicken Skillet Bliss is my absolute favorite copycat recipe that captures all those restaurant flavors we crave but in the comfort of our own homes (and without the wait or the bill!). The first time I made this, my husband literally closed his eyes after the first bite and said, “How did you DO this?” That’s when I knew I had cracked the code! The secret is in that heavenly honey-cinnamon butter that melts over perfectly seasoned chicken, creating a sauce that’s so good you’ll want to lick the skillet clean (no judgment here, I’ve definitely done it!).
Trust me, this one-pan wonder will have your family thinking you’ve been secretly taking cooking lessons from Texas Roadhouse chefs!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a one-skillet wonder that delivers restaurant-quality flavor without tons of dishes!
- That famous Texas Roadhouse honey butter gives the chicken a sweet-savory glaze that’s absolutely irresistible.
- You probably have most ingredients already in your pantry – no special shopping trip required!
- It’s ready in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you’re craving something special.
Ingredients
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – The star of our show that soaks up all those amazing flavors.
Butter – Not just any butter – we’re talking the foundation of that famous Texas Roadhouse magic!
Honey – The secret sweet element that caramelizes beautifully with the butter.
Ground cinnamon – Just a touch transforms ordinary butter into something extraordinary.
Garlic powder – For that savory depth that makes the chicken sing.
Onion powder – Adds subtle sweetness and complexity without actual onions.
Paprika – Brings beautiful color and mild peppery flavor.
Cayenne pepper – Just a pinch for that perfect Texas kick!
Brown sugar – Helps create that incredible caramelization on the chicken.
Salt and pepper – The backbone of any good seasoning blend.
Olive oil – For searing the chicken to golden perfection.
Fresh parsley – That pop of color and freshness that brightens the whole dish.
Lemon – A squeeze of fresh juice balances all the rich flavors beautifully.
The full ingredient list with measurements will be available in the recipe card below.
How to Make the Recipe
Preparing the Texas Roadhouse Butter
- Let’s start with the star of the show – that famous honey butter! In a small bowl, combine softened butter (make sure it’s really soft!), honey, and a touch of cinnamon. Mix until it’s completely smooth and well-blended. This is the magic that transforms ordinary chicken into something spectacular!
- Set the honey butter aside at room temperature. We want it ready to melt beautifully over our hot chicken later.
Seasoning the Chicken
- Pat your chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels. This is so important for getting that perfect golden crust! If your chicken breasts are very thick, consider butterflying them or giving them a gentle pound with a meat mallet to ensure even cooking.
- In a small bowl, mix together your seasoning blend: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. This combination is what gives our chicken that distinctive Texas Roadhouse flavor profile.
- Generously season both sides of the chicken breasts with this mixture, pressing it gently into the meat. Don’t be shy – really coat them well!
Cooking the Chicken to Perfection
- Heat a large cast iron skillet (my personal favorite for this recipe!) over medium-high heat. Add your olive oil and let it get nice and hot – you want to hear that sizzle when the chicken hits the pan!
- Carefully place your seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Let them cook undisturbed for about 5-6 minutes until they develop a gorgeous golden crust on the bottom. Patience is key here – resist the urge to peek or move them around!
- Flip the chicken and lower the heat to medium. Continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes, depending on thickness, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. A good meat thermometer is your best friend here!
- During the last minute of cooking, add half of your prepared honey butter to the skillet, letting it melt around the chicken. Tilt the pan and use a spoon to baste the chicken with that glorious buttery sauce. Oh my goodness, the smell at this point is absolutely heavenly!
- Remove the skillet from heat and let the chicken rest in the skillet for about 5 minutes. This resting time is crucial for keeping all those flavorful juices in the meat.
The Final Touch
- Transfer your chicken to a serving platter and spoon the pan sauce generously over the top.
- Top each piece with a dollop of the remaining honey butter and watch it melt into liquid gold!
- Finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten all those rich flavors.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Use a cast iron skillet if you have one – it creates the perfect sear and maintains even heat throughout cooking. If you don’t have cast iron, any heavy-bottomed skillet will work!
- For extra-flavorful chicken, make the seasoning mix ahead of time and rub it on the chicken up to 8 hours before cooking. Store it covered in the refrigerator to let those flavors really penetrate the meat.
- Keep an eye on your heat level – if your skillet gets too hot, the sugar in the seasoning can burn. Medium-high for searing, then reduce to medium for the remainder of cooking.
- Make extra honey butter to serve alongside some warm rolls or cornbread for the complete Texas Roadhouse experience! I often double the butter portion just for this purpose.
How to Serve
This showstopper chicken deserves sides that complement without overshadowing its star quality! Here are my favorite pairings:
- Serve over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes that soak up all that buttery sauce (heavenly!)
- Alongside buttered corn or green beans with almonds for a pop of color and texture
- With a side of those famous Texas Roadhouse-style dinner rolls (you know the ones!)
- Add a simple house salad with ranch dressing to round out the meal
For special occasions, serve this on a large wooden board family-style, with the chicken in the center surrounded by your sides. It makes for a beautiful presentation that has everyone reaching for seconds!
Make Ahead and Storage
Make Ahead
While the chicken is best cooked fresh, you can prep ahead to make dinnertime a breeze:
- Mix the dry seasoning blend up to a month in advance and store in an airtight container
- Prepare the honey butter up to 3 days ahead and keep refrigerated (bring to room temperature before using)
- Season the chicken up to 8 hours before cooking and keep covered in the refrigerator
Storage
If you happen to have leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop beautifully overnight!
For reheating, I recommend slicing the chicken and warming it gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist. Avoid the microwave if possible as it can make the chicken tough.
Freezing
While you can freeze the cooked chicken for up to 2 months, the texture and flavor are best when fresh. If you do freeze it, wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and place in a freezer bag.
For a make-ahead freezer meal, you can freeze the raw seasoned chicken breasts separately from the honey butter. Thaw both in the refrigerator overnight before cooking according to the recipe. This gives you that fresh-cooked taste without all the prep work!
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this recipe?
Absolutely, and between us, they’re sometimes even better! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs have more natural fat, which means they stay incredibly juicy and are more forgiving if slightly overcooked. The cooking time will be similar, but always use your meat thermometer to confirm they’ve reached 165°F. The richer flavor of thighs pairs beautifully with the sweet-savory butter sauce. My sister makes this recipe exclusively with thighs now and says her family actually prefers it that way!
I’m trying to cut down on sugar. Can I make this recipe with less honey and brown sugar?
You certainly can adjust the sweetness to suit your preference! The honey and brown sugar do help create that wonderful caramelization, but you can reduce each by about half without drastically changing the character of the dish. Another option is to use a brown sugar substitute like Swerve Brown and a touch of natural honey-flavored stevia. My neighbor follows a low-carb diet and makes a version using these substitutes, finishing with just a small drizzle of real honey for authenticity. The chicken still gets that gorgeous color and flavor without all the sugar!
My chicken always seems to come out dry. What am I doing wrong?
The most common culprit for dry chicken is overcooking! Here’s my foolproof method: First, make sure your chicken breasts are even thickness (butterfly or pound them if needed). Second, invest in an instant-read thermometer and remove the chicken as soon as it hits 165°F at the thickest part. Third – and this is crucial – let it rest for 5 minutes before cutting into it. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat instead of spilling out onto your cutting board. Finally, the butter basting during the last few minutes adds moisture and flavor. Follow these steps and I promise you’ll have juicy chicken every time!
Can I make this dish without a cast-iron skillet?
While cast iron gives that perfect sear and even heating, you can absolutely use any heavy-bottomed skillet you have! Stainless steel works wonderfully, and a good non-stick skillet is fine too (though you might not get quite the same level of caramelization). If using non-stick, you may need to increase the heat slightly to achieve good browning. The most important thing is using a skillet large enough that your chicken pieces aren’t crowded – they should have at least an inch of space between them so they can sear properly rather than steam. Whatever pan you use, just watch your heat carefully since every stove and pan combination behaves a little differently!
Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet Bliss
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs or spatula
- Meat thermometer
- Spoon for basting
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded for even thickness
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
For the Honey Butter
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
To Serve
- fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- lemon cut into wedges
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine butter, honey, and cinnamon until smooth. Set aside at room temperature.
- Pat chicken dry and season both sides with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, brown sugar, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook undisturbed for 5–6 minutes until golden brown.
- Flip chicken, reduce heat to medium, and cook an additional 5–7 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Add half the honey butter to the skillet and spoon the melted butter over the chicken to baste for the last minute of cooking.
- Remove skillet from heat and let chicken rest 5 minutes. Transfer to serving plate.
- Top each chicken breast with remaining honey butter, garnish with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.