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Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken Recipe

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Sear perfectly golden chicken, then drown it in a rich, smoky Cowboy Butter sauce made with heavy cream and bold paprika. This quick skillet dinner delivers maximum flavor.

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced thin or pounded evenly
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika, divided
  • 1 tsp dried thyme and 1/2 tsp chili flakes
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season the chicken breasts with 1/2 tablespoon of the smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 4-6 minutes per side until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the remaining butter to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the chicken. Once melted, add the minced garlic, the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of smoked paprika, dried thyme, and chili flakes. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet and scrape the bottom again to deglaze the pan. Allow the broth to reduce slightly for about 2 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Stir in the heavy cream and bring the sauce to a low simmer. Continue to cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Taste and adjust seasoning (salt and pepper) if necessary.
  5. Step 5: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, ensuring they are coated thoroughly in the cowboy butter cream sauce. Sprinkle with the fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately, ideally over rice or mashed potatoes.

Notes

  • Store leftovers, noting the rich cream sauce will thicken significantly when refrigerated; keep in an airtight container for up to three days.
  • When reheating, use the stovetop on low heat and add a tablespoon of chicken broth or extra cream to loosen the sauce and prevent it from splitting or curdling.
  • Balance the richness of the cowboy butter sauce by serving it alongside a bright, fresh green vegetable, like steamed asparagus or garlicky green beans.
  • Before adding the heavy cream, use the chicken broth and a wooden spoon to vigorously scrape the pan, ensuring you lift all the flavorful browned bits—that "fond" is the secret to a complex sauce depth.
  • Author: ilina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 Chicken Breast/Thigh portion with sauce
  • Calories: 455
  • Sodium: 605mg
  • Fat: 36g
  • Saturated Fat: 19g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Protein: 1.5g

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