Oh, you know those nights when you’re just craving that incredibly flavorful, comfort-food goodness from your favorite steakhouse, but you want to keep things light and clean? That’s exactly where my passion led me to create this Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet. I’ve taken all the deliciousness you love – that savory, herb-infused chicken *and* that rich, buttery goodness – and transformed it. Trust me, you won’t believe how easy it is to whip up a totally keto-friendly, low-carb version right in your own kitchen, proving that restaurant-quality doesn’t have to mean loaded with carbs. For years, I’ve been tweaking family favorites to fit a healthier lifestyle, and this one is a true winner!
Why You’ll Love This Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
Get ready to fall head over heels for this recipe! It’s got that fantastic restaurant flavor you’re after, but with zero guilt.
- Seriously Easy: You can whip this up in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights!
- Flavor Explosion: We’re talking bold, savory herbs and that irresistible buttery finish that just tastes pure comfort.
- Keto & Low-Carb Friendly: Enjoy all the deliciousness without the carb overload. It’s a cleaner way to get your fix!
- Tastes Like the Real Deal: It’s so close to the restaurant favorite, you might just swap your go-to order forever.
Ingredients for Your Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
Gathering your ingredients is the *easiest* part of making this skillet chicken. Honestly, most of these are probably already hanging out in your pantry! We’re keeping it super simple and super flavorful. You’ll need four boneless, skinless chicken breasts – I like to make sure they’re pretty uniform in size so they cook evenly. Then, for our amazing herb blend, grab some dried dill, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Got all that? We’re also going to use a couple of tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil for searing and the juice of one lemon to finish it all off. It’s amazing how a few pantry staples can create such a restaurant-worthy dish. If you need a reminder on stocking your keto kitchen, definitely check out my essential keto pantry list!
Essential Equipment for Making the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
To get this amazing dish on the table, you don’t need a fancy kitchen setup at all! Seriously, just a few go-to items will do the trick.
- Small bowl: For mixing up all those delicious dried herbs and spices.
- Plastic wrap: Your best friend for keeping things clean when you’re prepping the chicken.
- Large wooden spoon or mallet: Perfect for getting those chicken breasts nice and even.
- Large skillet: Gotta have a good skillet to get that beautiful sear and cook everything perfectly!
Step-by-Step Guide to Your Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
Alright, it’s time to get cooking! This recipe is all about simplicity and big flavor, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly it comes together. Think of it as your shortcut to a restaurant-quality meal without all the fuss. If you’re new around here and trying to get comfortable with quick keto dinners, this is a fantastic place to start – you can check out my beginner’s guide to quick keto dinners for some extra confidence!
Mixing the Seasoning Blend
First things first, let’s make some magic happen in a small bowl. We’re going to combine all those wonderful dried herbs and spices: the dill, basil, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Just give it a good whisk until everything is nicely blended. This is the flavor foundation for our chicken, so don’t skimp on it! It’s going to coat those chicken breasts beautifully and give them that signature taste we’re after.
Preparing the Chicken Breasts
Now, let’s talk chicken prep. Take your four boneless, skinless chicken breasts and lay them out. Pop them between two sheets of plastic wrap – this is going to save you a ton of cleanup later and keeps things sanitary. Grab your trusty wooden spoon or a mallet and give them a good whack. You want to flatten them out to an even thickness, maybe about half an inch. Trust me, this makes sure they cook evenly and get that gorgeous golden-brown crust we’re aiming for. It’s a trick I use all the time, especially when I’m making dishes similar to stuffed turkey breast, as seen in my keto stuffed turkey breast recipe.
Seasoning the Chicken
With your chicken all prepped and flattened, it’s time to really amp up the flavor! Take that glorious seasoning blend you just made and generously sprinkle it all over both sides of the chicken breasts. Gently pat it in with your hands to make sure you get a nice, even coating. You want every single bite to be packed with that savory, herbaceous goodness. Don’t be shy – get it all over!
Browning the Chicken
Here comes the fun part – that beautiful sear! Heat up your large skillet over medium-high heat and add in the extra virgin olive oil. Once the oil is shimmery and hot (but not smoking!), carefully place your seasoned chicken breasts into the pan. Let them sizzle and brown beautifully for about 5 minutes on each side. You’re looking for a gorgeous golden-brown crust. This step is crucial for both flavor and creating that irresistible texture, kind of like how we get that herb-crusted finish in other recipes like this Texas Roadhouse herb-crusted chicken.
Cooking Through to Perfection
After that initial browning, we need to make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through. Reduce the heat to medium-low. This is important so the outside doesn’t burn before the inside is done. Continue cooking for another 5-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts. The best way to know for sure? Use a meat thermometer – you’re looking for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Juiciness is key!
Resting and Serving
Almost there! Once the chicken is cooked through, remove the skillet from the heat. Now, squeeze that fresh lemon juice all over the chicken – it adds a lovely brightness. Here’s a little trick that makes a *huge* difference: let the chicken rest in the pan for about 5 minutes. This lets all those delicious juices redistribute throughout the meat, making it extra tender and moist. After resting, it’s ready to serve! Enjoy your amazing, home-cooked Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet!
Tips for the Perfect Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
Alright, you’ve got the basic steps down, but let’s dive into a few little secrets to make your Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet absolutely sing. Getting that perfect golden crust on the chicken is *so* important, and it all comes down to a hot pan and not overcrowding it. Seriously, if you cram too much chicken in there, it’ll steam instead of sear, and we don’t want that! Make sure your oil is shimmering before the chicken goes in. And don’t be afraid to let it really get some color – that’s where all the flavor lives! For more ideas on making deliciousness like this, you’ve gotta check out my keto chicken broccoli casserole sometime.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Okay, let’s chat about these ingredients for your Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility! If you don’t have extra virgin olive oil, no worries! A good quality avocado oil or even ghee would work wonderfully. Ghee is fantastic for high heat and adds a lovely nutty flavor. Now, about those herbs – they’re pretty key to that signature taste, but if you’re missing one, don’t panic! You can always adjust the ratios or use a good quality Italian seasoning blend in a pinch. Just know that the specific combo of dill, basil, and oregano gives it that unique punch. And for the lemon juice, fresh is *always* best, but bottled will do in a real bind. Experimenting is part of the fun, and if you want some ideas on making other classics keto-friendly, my keto mac and cheese is a crowd-pleaser!
Serving Suggestions for Your Skillet Chicken
This Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is pretty fantastic on its own, but serving it up with the right sides really makes it a complete meal. Since we’re keeping it keto-friendly, I love pairing it with something creamy and comforting, like my cheesy keto cauliflower casserole with bacon. The richness of the casserole just melts right into the chicken, it’s divine! Or, if you’re craving something a little lighter but still with a satisfying crunch, these crispy keto zucchini fries are an absolute dream. Imagine dipping those perfectly seasoned chicken pieces into a cool, creamy sauce after a bite of crispy zucchini – perfection!
Frequently Asked Questions about Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
Got questions about whipping up this easy dinner? I’ve got you covered! Making a fantastic meal like this Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet should be stress-free, so let’s clear up any little things you might be wondering about.
Can I make this Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet ahead of time?
You absolutely can! The chicken itself is best served fresh so you get that lovely crispy crust, but you can certainly prep the seasoning blend ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in your pantry. You can also flatten and season the chicken breasts, then keep them covered in the fridge for up to a day before cooking. Just add the lemon juice and rest time right before serving for the best results.
What if I don’t have a large skillet?
No worries if your largest skillet isn’t *huge*! You might just need to cook the chicken in batches instead of all at once. This is actually a good thing because it ensures each piece gets nicely browned instead of steamed. Just make sure to add a touch more oil if needed between batches. The goal is that beautiful sear, and cooking in batches helps you achieve that perfectly. For more quick dinner ideas, you can always reach out to me using my contact page!
How do I store leftovers of this chicken?
Leftovers are a weeknight dinner hero! Store any leftover Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. While the crispy coating might soften a bit upon reheating, it’s still wonderfully flavorful. I usually reheat mine gently in a skillet over medium-low heat or in the microwave for a quick meal.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
You sure can! Chicken thighs are a bit more forgiving and can add even more moisture and flavor. If you use boneless, skinless thighs, you might need to adjust the cooking time slightly – they might take a few minutes longer to cook through after browning. Just make sure they reach that 165°F internal temperature, and you’ll be golden!
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Now, I always like to give you a heads-up that these numbers are estimates, okay? What you end up with can change a little based on the exact brands you use and the size of your chicken breasts, but this will give you a really good ballpark. Each serving of this awesome Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is roughly: Calories: 350-400, Total Fat: 20-25g, Protein: 35-40g, Net Carbs: 5-8g. It’s pretty darn impressive for such a flavorful and satisfying meal, right?
Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Mix all the seasonings together in a small bowl.
- Place the chicken breasts between plastic wrap and use a large wooden spoon or mallet to flatten the chicken breasts.
- Season both sides of the chicken breasts with the seasoning mixture.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts to the pan and cook for 5 minutes on each side until both sides are browned and crispy.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165 degrees F).
- Remove from the heat. Top with the lemon juice. Let the chicken sit for 5 minutes. Then serve and enjoy!
