EASY COWBOY BUTTER CHICKEN

Imagine juicy, perfectly cooked chicken breasts swimming in a vibrant, herbaceous, slightly spicy, and utterly irresistible cowboy butter sauce. This Cowboy Butter Chicken recipe isn’t just dinner; it’s an experience that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more, and I promise it’s easier than you think to make at home!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Cowboy Butter:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more, to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Let’s Get Cookin’: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps them get a nice sear.
2. In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the chicken – this is key for getting that beautiful golden-brown crust.
2. Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. You might need to cook them in batches.
3. Sear the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). A meat thermometer is your best friend here!
4. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Tent it with foil to keep it warm while you make the cowboy butter.

Step 3: Whip Up That Cowboy Butter!

1. In the same skillet (don’t wipe it out – all those flavorful bits from the chicken are going to add amazing depth to the butter!), melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic – burnt garlic is bitter garlic!
3. Stir in the parsley, chives, thyme, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika.
4. Add the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Simmer for another minute, allowing all the flavors to meld together beautifully.

Step 4: Marry the Chicken and the Butter

1. Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet with the cowboy butter sauce.
2. Spoon the cowboy butter generously over the chicken, ensuring each breast is well coated.
3. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for a minute or two, allowing the flavors to fully infuse.

Serving Suggestions & Variations

Serving Ideas:

This Cowboy Butter Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Mashed potatoes: A classic pairing that soaks up all that delicious sauce.
• Rice: White rice, brown rice, or even quinoa work wonderfully.
• Roasted vegetables: Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or sweet potatoes are all great choices.
• Salad: A simple green salad adds a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken.
• For Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken Linguine Recipe, simply toss the chicken and sauce with cooked linguine pasta!

Variations to Try:

• Spicy Cowboy Butter: Add more red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
• Cheesy Cowboy Butter: Stir in a handful of grated Parmesan cheese at the end for a cheesy twist.
• Herbaceous Cowboy Butter: Experiment with different herbs like rosemary, oregano, or basil.

Tips and Tricks for Cowboy Butter Chicken Perfection

Don’t Overcook the Chicken!

The biggest mistake you can make is overcooking the chicken. Dry, rubbery chicken is nobody’s favorite. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove it from the heat as soon as it hits that temperature – it will continue to cook slightly as it rests.

Fresh Herbs are Key

While dried herbs can work in a pinch, fresh herbs will elevate the flavor of your cowboy butter to a whole new level. If you have access to fresh parsley and chives, definitely use them!

Adjust the Spice Level to Your Liking

The red pepper flakes add a touch of heat to the cowboy butter. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with a smaller amount and add more to taste. If you like it really spicy, feel free to go wild!

Use a Good Quality Butter

Since butter is the star of the sauce, it’s worth using a good quality butter. Look for unsalted butter with a high butterfat content for the best flavor and richness.

Easy Dinner Ideas Not Pasta? This is the Way!

Finding Easy Dinner Ideas Not Pasta can be a struggle. But Cowboy Butter Chicken served with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables is a fantastic, flavorful alternative that’s just as satisfying. It’s one of those Ez Dinner Ideas that comes together quickly and easily, perfect for busy weeknights.

Explore Other Delicious Chicken Recipes

If you love this Cowboy Butter Chicken, be sure to check out these other fantastic chicken recipes:

• Garlic Butter Chicken Heaven: A simpler, yet equally delicious take on garlic butter chicken.
• Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet: A hearty, one-pan meal perfect for a cozy night in.
• Cowboy Butter Chicken: Another variation on this beloved recipe, sure to please.
• Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken: A copycat recipe inspired by the famous restaurant chain.
• Cowboy Butter Chicken Pasta: For those nights when you *do* want pasta, this is the perfect dish!

A Final Word From Your Kitchen Bestie

There you have it – a foolproof recipe for Cowboy Butter Chicken that’s sure to become a family favorite. Don’t be intimidated by the list of ingredients – it’s all about layering those flavors to create something truly special. And remember, cooking should be fun! So, put on some music, pour yourself a glass of wine, and get ready to create some magic in the kitchen.

Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This Easy Cowboy Butter Chicken recipe features juicy chicken breasts coated in a vibrant and flavorful cowboy butter sauce. The combination of fresh herbs, garlic, and a touch of spice creates an unforgettable culinary experience that’s surprisingly simple to make at home, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Small bowl
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• Meat thermometer
• Paper towels
• Plate
• Foil
• Knife
• Cutting board

Ingredients

  

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• ½ cup unsalted butter 1 stick
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

 

• Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
• In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
• Rub the spice mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken breasts.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts in the hot skillet, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed.
• Sear the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate. Tent it with foil to keep it warm.
• In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
• Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
• Stir in parsley, chives, thyme, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika.
• Add lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Simmer for another minute, allowing all the flavors to meld together.
• Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet with the cowboy butter sauce.
• Spoon the cowboy butter generously over the chicken, ensuring each breast is well coated.
• Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for a minute or two, allowing the flavors to fully infuse.

Notes

Don’t overcook the chicken; use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F (74°C). Fresh herbs are key for the best flavor. Adjust the spice level to your liking by adding more or less red pepper flakes. Use a good quality unsalted butter for a richer flavor. For a spicier version, add cayenne pepper. For a cheesy twist, stir in Parmesan cheese. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.