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Cowboy Butter Chicken Recipe

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3.9 from 4 reviews

Cowboy Butter Chicken is a rich and flavorful skillet dish featuring tender, perfectly seared chicken breasts smothered in a buttery, garlicky sauce infused with smoky paprika, Dijon mustard, honey, and fresh herbs. This quick and easy recipe creates a comforting, restaurant-quality meal in just 35 minutes that’s perfect for weeknight dinners.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cowboy Butter Sauce

  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons low sodium chicken broth
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken: Pat dry the chicken breasts and pound slightly to even thickness if needed. Season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder to build a flavorful base.
  2. Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and sear for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 160°F. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain moisture.
  3. Melt the butter and add garlic: Reduce the heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Make the sauce: Stir in Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, chicken broth, red pepper flakes, dried thyme, and paprika. Simmer the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and develops a glossy sheen, balancing spicy, sweet, and tangy flavors.
  5. Add the chicken to the sauce: Slice the rested chicken into thick strips and return them to the skillet. Spoon the cowboy butter sauce over the chicken and let it simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavors.
  6. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the chicken for brightness and serve immediately while hot and luscious.

Notes

  • Ensure chicken is cooked to at least 160°F for safety and juiciness.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for spiciness.
  • Butter and oil combination helps prevent butter from burning while searing chicken.
  • Letting the chicken rest after cooking helps keep it moist and tender.
  • This sauce pairs well with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful butter sauce.
  • Author: Olivia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://iamstarved.com/cowboy-butter-chicken-recipe/