Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken is a 5-ingredient, ultimate skillet dinner that delivers juicy, garlicky chicken bathed in a rich, buttery sauce. This weeknight favorite comes together in one pan, delivering bold flavor, a slight kick, and a luxurious butter finish for a crave-worthy meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh chives, chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to heat)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Sear the chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, parsley, chives, crushed red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the cowboy butter over the hot chicken in the skillet, letting it bubble and coat the chicken fully.
- Spoon extra sauce over the top before serving.
- Serve with rice, potatoes, veggies, or crusty bread to soak up the buttery goodness.
Notes
- Use a large skillet to fit all chicken without crowding for even browning.
- Let the butter sauce bubble and coat the chicken for a rich, glossy finish.
- Adjust heat with red pepper flakes to your taste.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To ensure gluten-free, use a gluten-free Dijon mustard and check all ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 575 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
Keywords: Cowboy Butter Chicken, 5-ingredient recipe, skillet chicken, garlic butter sauce, weeknight dinner, easy chicken dinner, butter chicken, one-pan dinner