Craving that iconic Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken but want to enjoy it from the comfort of your own home? You’ve come to the right place. This copycat recipe delivers on all fronts: tender, juicy grilled chicken breasts smothered in a savory blend of sautéed onions, mushrooms, and melted Jack cheese. It’s the ultimate comfort food meal that tastes just like the real deal but is surprisingly simple to make on a busy weeknight.
We’ve cracked the code to bring you a dish that is packed with flavor and guaranteed to become a new family favorite. Get ready to transform your kitchen into your favorite steakhouse.
Why This Is the Best Smothered Chicken Recipe
There are many copycat recipes out there, but this one stands out. We focus on simple, high-quality ingredients and a straightforward method to replicate that signature Texas Roadhouse flavor.
- Incredibly Flavorful: We build layers of flavor by perfectly searing the chicken and then creating a rich, savory topping with sautéed mushrooms and onions.
- Perfectly Juicy Chicken: Forget dry chicken. Our method ensures a moist and tender result every single time.
- Quick and Easy: This entire meal comes together in under 45 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Better Than The Original: You control the ingredients, meaning you can adjust the salt, add more cheese, or throw in extra mushrooms to make it perfect for you.
Key Ingredients for Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create its signature steakhouse flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Chicken:
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Pounding them to an even thickness is key for even cooking.
- Olive Oil: For cooking the chicken and vegetables.
- Seasonings: A simple blend of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika is all you need.
For the Smothered Topping:
- Yellow Onion: Sliced thin to caramelize beautifully.
- Cremini Mushrooms: Also known as baby bellas, they have a deeper, earthier flavor than white mushrooms.
- Monterey Jack Cheese: This is the classic choice for its creamy texture and mild flavor that melts perfectly over the chicken. Pro-tip: shred your own cheese for the best melt!
- Optional: A splash of Worcestershire sauce or beef broth can be added to the onions and mushrooms for extra depth.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to get cooking? Follow these simple steps for a perfect Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken dinner.
1. Prepare the Chicken
Start by pounding the chicken breasts to about ½-inch thickness. This ensures they cook quickly and evenly. Pat them dry with a paper towel and season generously on both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
2. Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3. Sauté the Vegetables
In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften and turn translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms and continue to cook until they have released their moisture and started to brown, about 7-8 minutes.
4. Smother and Melt
Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet. Top each breast with a generous portion of the sautéed onions and mushrooms. Lay a slice of Monterey Jack cheese over the vegetables on each chicken breast. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the cheese melt completely, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
What to Serve With Your Smothered Chicken
To get the full Texas Roadhouse experience at home, serve your smothered chicken with some classic sides. We love it with a side of fluffy mashed potatoes or a baked sweet potato. For a lighter meal, some healthy sautéed vegetables or a simple garden salad works beautifully. And of course, you can’t go wrong with some warm, crusty bread like this delicious Amish White Bread to soak up any juices.
Tips for the Perfect Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to ensure it gets a beautiful golden-brown sear.
- Slice Evenly: Cut your onions and mushrooms to a similar thickness to ensure they cook at the same rate.
- Freshly Shredded Cheese: For the best melt, always shred your own cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can prevent them from melting smoothly. If you’re looking for an appetizer to go with this meal, try these Garlic Cheese Bombs.
Storage and Reheating
Store any leftover smothered chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave, but for the best results, place the chicken in a lightly oiled skillet over medium-low heat. Cover and heat until warmed through, which will help keep the chicken moist and re-melt the cheese perfectly.
FAQs about This Recipe
Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, you can simply omit them and make the dish with only the sautéed onions and melted cheese. It will still be delicious.
The key is to pound the chicken to an even thickness (about 1/2 inch) so it cooks quickly and evenly. Also, be careful not to overcook it. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F and then remove it from the heat immediately.
Classic steakhouse sides are perfect. Mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, or a simple side salad all pair wonderfully with smothered chicken.
It consists of a grilled chicken breast topped with sautéed onions, sautéed mushrooms, and a layer of melted Monterey Jack or provolone cheese. Some versions also include a creamy gravy.
Monterey Jack is the classic choice because it melts beautifully and has a mild, creamy flavor. Provolone is another excellent option. For best results, shred your own cheese from a block.
The Ultimate Steakhouse Dinner at Home
This Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken recipe is a true game-changer for your weeknight dinner rotation. It’s simple, savory, and satisfying for the whole family. If you make this recipe, we’d love to see it! Share your creation and tag us on Pinterest. Your feedback and shares help us bring more delicious recipes to your kitchen!
Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken
Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken: The Ultimate Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound to an even ½-inch thickness. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Season the chicken generously on both sides.
- Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add the sliced onions and cook for 5-6 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the mushrooms and continue to cook for 7-8 minutes until they are browned.
- Return the chicken to the skillet. Top each piece with the onion and mushroom mixture. Place a slice of Monterey Jack cheese on top of the vegetables.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and allow the cheese to melt completely, about 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately.
Notes
You can substitute chicken broth for the olive oil when cooking the vegetables for a lower-fat option.
Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
