This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken recipe is the weeknight dinner hero you’ve been searching for. Imagine perfectly seared chicken breasts smothered in a rich, velvety sauce bursting with garlic, herbs, and a hint of spice. It’s a one-pan wonder that delivers a restaurant-quality meal in just 30 minutes. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this unforgettable dish.
We combine the zesty, herbaceous flavors of classic cowboy butter with the luxurious richness of a cream sauce. The result is a perfectly balanced, utterly addictive meal you’ll make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken
- Quick & Easy: This entire meal comes together in one skillet in about 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The sauce is a powerhouse of flavor, with fresh parsley, chives, garlic, and a touch of heat from red pepper flakes.
- Family-Friendly: While it has a kick, the spice level is easily adjustable to suit all palates. It’s a certified crowd-pleaser!
- Versatile: It pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or even just some crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce. Check out our recipe for Gouda Mashed Potatoes for a perfect pairing.
What is Cowboy Butter?
Cowboy butter is a compound butter, which is simply butter mixed with a variety of flavorful ingredients. Traditionally, it’s a dipping sauce for steak, bread, or seafood. It’s known for its signature blend of garlic, fresh herbs like parsley and chives, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a kick of red pepper flakes. Our recipe takes this concept to the next level by transforming it into a luscious cream sauce that coats every piece of chicken.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature bold flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to gather.
For the Chicken:
- Chicken Breasts: Two large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half horizontally to create four thinner cutlets.
- Olive Oil: For searing the chicken to a perfect golden brown.
- Seasoning: A simple mix of salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
For the Creamy Cowboy Butter Sauce:
- Unsalted Butter: The rich base of our sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly minced for the best flavor.
- Heavy Cream: Creates the velvety, creamy texture.
- Chicken Broth: Adds depth and helps to thin the sauce to the perfect consistency.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts beautifully and adds a salty, nutty flavor.
- Dijon Mustard: For a tangy kick that cuts through the richness.
- Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens up all the flavors.
- Fresh Herbs: A combination of finely chopped fresh parsley and chives is essential.
- Red Pepper Flakes: For that classic cowboy butter kick. Adjust to your heat preference.
How to Make Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Step-by-Step
Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping meal in no time.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken cutlets dry with a paper towel. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet (cast iron is great here) over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cutlets and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Start the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Build the Cream Sauce: Whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and the sauce has slightly thickened.
- Add the Finishing Touches: Stir in the fresh parsley, chives, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Serve: Return the seared chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Let it simmer for another minute or two to allow the flavors to meld. Serve immediately.
Pro Tips for the Best Cowboy Butter Chicken
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Using thinner chicken cutlets ensures they cook quickly and evenly, staying tender and juicy.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Freshly minced garlic, grated Parmesan, and chopped herbs will always yield a more vibrant and flavorful sauce than their pre-packaged counterparts.
- Scrape the Brown Bits: When you add the chicken broth, use your whisk to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This is called “deglazing,” and it adds a huge amount of flavor to your sauce.
- Adjust to Your Taste: Feel free to increase the red pepper flakes for more heat or add a splash more lemon for extra brightness. For an even more decadent dish, try our Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Alfredo.
Serving Suggestions
This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken is a star on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Pasta: Serve over fettuccine or linguine to turn this into a truly indulgent pasta dish.
- Rice: Plain white or brown rice is perfect for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
- Potatoes: Spoon the chicken and sauce over creamy mashed potatoes or alongside some Crispy Smashed Potatoes.
- Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, steamed broccoli, or a simple green salad are excellent options for a complete meal.
Storing and Reheating
You can store leftover Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen the sauce if needed. Avoid reheating in the microwave, as it can make the chicken rubbery and cause the cream sauce to separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it’s best served fresh, you can make it ahead. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop. You may need to add a splash of cream or broth to thin the sauce as it reheats.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat for the best results.
It has a mild to medium kick from the red pepper flakes. You can easily adjust the amount of pepper flakes to make it more or less spicy to suit your preference.
Cowboy butter is a compound butter made with butter, garlic, fresh herbs like parsley and chives, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and a kick of heat from red pepper flakes.
This recipe is incredibly versatile. It pairs wonderfully with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes. For a lighter meal, serve it with steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli or asparagus.
More Delicious Dinner Ideas
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out some of our other easy and flavorful dinner options like our Creamy Sausage Tortellini or a comforting French Onion Pot Roast.
Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken
Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken (The Ultimate 30-Minute Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken cutlets dry with a paper towel. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cutlets and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it's melted and the sauce has slightly thickened.
- Stir in the fresh parsley, chives, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Return the seared chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Let it simmer for another minute or two to allow the flavors to meld. Serve immediately.
Notes
Scrape the bottom of the pan after adding broth to incorporate all the flavorful bits.
Adjust red pepper flakes to your preferred level of spice.
We hope you love this Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken recipe! It’s a true testament to how simple ingredients can create an incredibly delicious meal. If you try it, please leave a comment below and let us know what you think. Don’t forget to share your creations on Pinterest!
