Description
Cowboy Butter Chicken is a flavor-packed dish that transforms simple chicken into an extraordinary meal. With a vibrant cowboy butter sauce, it’s perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Unsalted butter
- Fresh garlic, minced
- Fresh rosemary, chopped
- Fresh thyme, chopped
- Flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- Smoked paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Worcestershire sauce
- Dijon mustard
- Chicken broth
- Apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Pat your chicken thighs (or breasts) thoroughly dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once the oil shimmers, carefully place the chicken thighs in the skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Sear for 4-6 minutes per side, until a deep golden-brown crust forms. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. To the same skillet, add the unsalted butter. Once melted, stir in the minced garlic, chopped fresh rosemary, and fresh thyme. Sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in the smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Cook for another minute, allowing the spices to bloom.
- Pour in the chicken broth, followed by a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Return the seared chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the cowboy butter sauce. Spoon the sauce generously over the chicken. Cover the skillet and let the chicken finish cooking for another 8-12 minutes, or until an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) is reached.
- Once cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes. Stir in the fresh chopped parsley into the remaining cowboy butter sauce.
- Slice the chicken, if desired, or serve whole. Spoon the cowboy butter sauce over the chicken and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing and simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece of chicken with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken for a perfect golden crust. Resting the chicken after cooking ensures juicy, tender meat. Adjust the cayenne pepper for desired spice level.