Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken is a flavorful and creamy skillet dish featuring juicy seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich garlic, herb, and butter sauce. This recipe combines the smoky taste of paprika with a zesty lemon cream sauce for a comforting and elegant meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet, depending on preference)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
Cowboy Butter Sauce
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped (optional but recommended)
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
- ½ cup chicken broth (or water for a lighter option)
- ½ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, and paprika. This will enhance the flavor and help the chicken develop a beautiful golden crust when cooked.
- Sear the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken breasts in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Make the cowboy butter sauce: Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. Allow it to melt, then stir in the minced garlic, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add the Dijon mustard, red pepper flakes, parsley, and dill, stirring to combine.
- Add the liquid ingredients: Pour in the lemon juice, chicken broth, and heavy cream, stirring continuously to create a smooth, creamy sauce. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Return the chicken to the skillet: Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, ensuring they’re coated with the sauce. Cover the skillet and let the chicken cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Garnish and serve: Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish the chicken with additional parsley. Serve hot with your choice of sides, such as crusty bread, rice, or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- For a lighter version, you can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Dill is optional but recommended for additional freshness and depth of flavor.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes according to your heat preference.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious cowboy butter sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cowboy butter chicken, garlic butter chicken, creamy chicken skillet, seared chicken breasts, easy dinner recipe, stovetop chicken, chicken with cream sauce
