Get ready for a flavor explosion! This Cowboy Butter Chicken recipe is the perfect weeknight meal, combining tender, juicy chicken with a rich, zesty butter sauce that’s simply unforgettable. If you’re looking for a dish that’s quick, easy, and packed with bold flavors, you’ve found it. This one-pan wonder will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.
The star of the show is the incredible Cowboy Butter—a compound butter loaded with garlic, herbs, lemon, and a kick of spice. It creates a sauce that perfectly coats every piece of chicken, making this a standout dish. We’ll pan-sear the chicken to golden-brown perfection before drenching it in this liquid gold. Let’s dive in!
What is Cowboy Butter?
Cowboy Butter is a super-charged compound butter sauce that originated as a dipping sauce for steak but is phenomenal on just about anything, especially chicken. It’s a melted blend of butter, garlic, fresh herbs like parsley and chives, lemon juice for brightness, Dijon mustard for tang, and a mix of spices like paprika and red pepper flakes for a signature kick.
The result is a sauce that’s savory, tangy, spicy, and unbelievably rich all at once. It transforms a simple piece of chicken into a gourmet experience with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love This Cowboy Butter Chicken Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: The sauce is the hero here, with layers of garlic, herbs, and spice that make every bite exciting.
- Quick and Easy: This entire meal comes together in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights. For another fast dinner idea, check out this High-Protein Egg Roll in a Bowl.
- One-Pan Meal: Fewer dishes to wash is always a win! Everything is cooked in a single skillet, from searing the chicken to creating the sauce.
- Versatile: This recipe is easy to customize. Adjust the spice level, swap out the herbs, or serve it with your favorite sides.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature bold flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Chicken:
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect for this. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer.
- Olive Oil: For searing the chicken to a perfect golden brown.
- Salt and Black Pepper: For seasoning the chicken.
For the Cowboy Butter Sauce:
- Unsalted Butter: The rich and creamy base of our sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor.
- Lemon: We’ll use both the zest and juice for a bright, citrusy kick.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy depth that cuts through the richness of the butter.
- Fresh Herbs: A combination of fresh parsley, chives, and a touch of thyme is classic.
- Spices: Smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, and black pepper create the warmth and spice.
How to Make Cowboy Butter Chicken Step-by-Step
Making this dish is incredibly simple. Just follow these steps for a perfect result every time.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. This helps create a beautiful crust when searing.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet (cast iron works great!) over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Start the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once it’s melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Build the Flavor: Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes for the flavors to meld together.
- Add Herbs: Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the fresh parsley, chives, and thyme.
- Combine and Serve: Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the Cowboy Butter sauce over each piece. Serve immediately, garnished with extra fresh herbs if desired.
Tips for the Perfect Skillet Chicken
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary. Giving each piece enough space ensures it sears properly instead of steaming.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: The best way to guarantee juicy, perfectly cooked chicken is to use an instant-read thermometer. Pull the chicken from the skillet as soon as it hits 165°F.
- Scrape the Brown Bits: As you make the sauce, use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the skillet. They are packed with flavor! If you enjoy one-pan meals like this, you might also like this Sausage and Cheese Sheet Pan Pancake recipe for breakfast.
- Adjust Spice to Your Liking: If you’re sensitive to heat, start with half the amount of red pepper flakes. You can always add more at the end!
What to Serve with Cowboy Butter Chicken
This savory chicken dish pairs well with a variety of sides that can soak up the delicious sauce.
- Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes or these amazing Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes are perfect for soaking up the butter sauce.
- Rice: Simple steamed white or brown rice is an excellent base.
- Pasta or Orzo: Toss your favorite pasta with the extra sauce for a complete meal.
- Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, steamed green beans, or a simple side salad provide a fresh contrast to the rich sauce.
- Bread: A crusty loaf of bread is non-negotiable for dipping into every last drop of the Cowboy Butter.
Variations and Substitutions
- Different Proteins: This sauce is fantastic on steak, shrimp, salmon, and even pork chops.
- Add Heat: For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.
- Creamy Version: Stir in a splash of heavy cream at the end to create a creamy Cowboy Butter sauce.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store leftover Cowboy Butter Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over low heat until the chicken is heated through and the sauce is melted. You can also microwave it in short bursts, but be careful not to overcook the chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great in this recipe. They may require a slightly longer cooking time, so use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
To make a creamy sauce, simply stir in 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream into the butter sauce after you’ve added the herbs and removed it from the heat. Stir until combined and serve.
This recipe has a mild to medium kick from the red pepper flakes. You can easily adjust the spice level by adding more or less red pepper flakes to suit your preference.
It tastes incredibly rich and savory from the butter, with a bright tang from the lemon and Dijon. It’s also aromatic from the garlic and herbs, with a gentle warmth and spice from the red pepper flakes.
Cowboy Butter is a flavorful sauce made from melted butter, fresh garlic, lemon juice and zest, Dijon mustard, fresh herbs (like parsley, chives, and thyme), and spices such as red pepper flakes and paprika.
The Best Cowboy Butter Chicken Recipe
Cowboy Butter Chicken: The Ultimate Spicy, Savory Skillet Dinner
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temp). Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the cubed butter to the skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 1-2 minutes for the flavors to combine.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the fresh parsley, chives, and thyme.
- Return the chicken to the skillet. Spoon the Cowboy Butter sauce over the chicken to coat. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: Scrape the bottom of the pan while making the sauce to incorporate all the flavorful browned bits.
Tip 3: Have all your sauce ingredients prepped and ready to go, as the sauce comes together very quickly.
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