Savory Cowboy Butter Chicken Skillet
A quick, one-pan meal featuring juicy chicken coated in a rich, garlicky cowboy butter sauce—perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts Thighs are more forgiving and stay juicy.
For the Sauce
- 4 tablespoons real butter Heart of the sauce.
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced Fresh is best, but jarred works in a pinch.
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice Wakes up the flavors.
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard Optional, adds tang and depth.
- 1 teaspoon paprika For flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes or cayenne Adjust based on desired heat.
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley For garnish and flavor.
- to taste salt For seasoning.
- to taste black pepper For seasoning.
- 1/2 cup chicken broth Helps loosen the sauce.
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the chicken dry for better browning.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili flakes.
Cooking
- In a skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown on both sides, approximately 4-5 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. Lower the heat and add the remaining butter.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in lemon juice, Dijon mustard (if using), and chicken broth. Scrape any browned bits from the skillet.
- Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the sauce over the top, and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
Serving
- Serve the chicken covered in sauce over rice, mashed potatoes, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Notes
For leftovers, store in the fridge and reheat gently with a splash of broth. Adjust the heat level by adding more chili flakes as desired.