Oh, I just love finding ways to bring that cozy, comforting restaurant feeling right into my own kitchen, especially when life gets busy! There’s nothing better than a meal that tastes indulgent but is actually simple enough for a Tuesday night. That’s exactly what we’ve got here with this amazing **Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet**. When I first tried something similar out, I was crushed because I learned it had gluten, and you know how much I love making sure everyone at my table can enjoy the same flavors. So, I got tinkering! After tweaking flavors and focusing on keeping it naturally gluten-free, I nailed it. This recipe is my go-to for a hearty, satisfying meal that tastes like a treat. I’m Marco Santos, by the way, and as a Latin Cuisine Innovation Specialist who focuses on gluten-free cooking, trust me when I say this skillet chicken recipe works!
Why This Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is Your New Weeknight Favorite
Seriously, this skillet chicken recipe is a dream for busy cooks like us. We’re talking about getting dinner on the table in about 30 minutes total—prep and cook time included! That makes it such a great option when you need reliable family dinner ideas.
- It’s a true one-pan wonder, meaning cleanup is super fast.
- The flavor is rich, savory, and just what you crave after a long day.
- It’s easy to keep gluten-free, so everyone can enjoy that restaurant taste!
Gathering Ingredients for the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
Okay, gather your supplies! Before we even think about turning on that stove, let’s make sure the counter is stocked up with everything we need for this incredible skillet chicken recipe. Transparency is so important in the kitchen, especially when you’re recreating a favorite dish. Knowing exactly what goes into your food really helps capture that authentic taste. We’re keeping this simple, relying on quality basics to shine through. Don’t forget, you can always peek at my main recipes page if you ever need substitution ideas!
Chicken and Seasoning
This is the heart of our dish, so don’t skimp on seasoning!
- Two big chicken breasts—we’re going to slice these up nice and thin.
- One teaspoon of seasoned salt—I always reach for Lawry’s when I need that classic flavor punch.
- Half a teaspoon of ground black pepper.
Vegetables and Dairy
These veggies are what give the dish its fantastic savory depth before we top it with that gooey cheese.
- One medium onion, and make sure you cut it into nice, thick slices, about 1/4-inch thick.
- One tablespoon of butter, plus maybe an extra little dollop just in case the pan gets lonely later.
- A little salt dedicated just for seasoning those vegetables while they cook down.
- Half a pound of button mushrooms, sliced up thin—they soak up all those good flavors!
- A quarter-pound of Monterey Jack cheese, shredded. Yes, it has to be Monterey Jack; it melts perfectly over the top.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
Now for the fun part—actually making the magic happen! People think cooking a restaurant-style dish takes forever, but trust me, since we’re relying on one big skillet, this whole Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet comes together in about 20 minutes of actual cooking time. The key here is preparation; once you’ve got your chicken pounded and your veggies ready, it’s just timing. Remember, uniform thickness on the chicken is absolutely essential for an even cook on those quick weeknight dinners. If you need more dinner inspiration, check out my thoughts on easy chicken recipes!
Preparing and Seasoning the Chicken
First things first, let’s deal with those chicken breasts. You want them even, kind of thin, so they cook up quickly and tenderly. Carefully cut each large breast in half horizontally—that gives you four thinner pieces to work with. Lay those halves between two sheets of plastic wrap; this keeps your counter clean! Then, grab your meat mallet and gently pound everything down until it’s a beautiful, consistent thickness. Don’t go totally flat, just even! Once done, sprinkle both sides generously and lovingly with your seasoned salt and that ground black pepper.
Sautéing the Onions and Mushrooms
Time to warm up the skillet over medium-low heat. Drop in that tablespoon of butter. When it’s melting nicely, toss in your sliced onions. Be generous with a two-finger pinch of salt right over them. Let them cook gently, stirring for maybe 3 to 4 minutes until they start to soften up. Then, add those sliced mushrooms and keep stirring for another 3 or 4 minutes until they start to get a little bit of color. Once they look perfect, scoop those onions and mushrooms right out of the skillet and set them aside for later. We need that space clear for the chicken!
Cooking the Chicken in the Skillet
If that skillet looks dry now, go ahead and toss in just a little extra teaspoon of butter. Get it hot, but seriously, keep the heat manageable—medium-low is important so we don’t burn the seasoning before the center cooks. Carefully place your seasoned chicken breasts in the hot pan. Do not overcrowd this pan; if they are sitting on top of each other, they’ll steam instead of sear! If necessary, cook them in two batches. Let them cook untouched for a solid 6 to 8 minutes on that first side until they have a gorgeous golden-brown crust. Then, flip and cook them for just 3 to 4 more minutes on the second side. For more ideas similar to this, you might like checking out this smothered chicken recipe inspiration!
Melting the Cheese and Serving the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
This is the dramatic finale! Once the chicken is perfectly cooked through—and only once it’s cooked—take all those lovely sautéed onions and mushrooms and pile them right back on top of the chicken in the skillet. Now, shower the whole thing with that shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Honestly, you want that melt to be dreamy! Turn the stove completely off. The residual heat is all you need. Wait just a minute or two until that cheese is perfectly gooey and melted over everything. That, my friends, is how you serve your beautiful **Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet**!
Tips for Mastering the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
Getting that restaurant quality right at home really comes down to a couple of small, sneaky moves. First, when you’re searing the chicken—make sure your skillet is truly hot before the butter goes in, even if you’re using medium-low heat overall. That initial sizzle is what creates the tasty crust we want. If the chicken sits too long before you flip it, it will stick, so aim for that beautiful golden-brown color before you turn it. Never skip removing the cooked veggies either! If they stay in, they steam the chicken instead of letting it get that lovely sear.
For the cheese melt, this is crucial: turn the heat OFF before you blanket the chicken in Monterey Jack. That residual heat is plenty strong enough to melt the cheese smooth without scorching the bottom of the chicken or burning the onions settled underneath. If you want to boost the flavor even more, take a peek at my recipe for garlic butter mushrooms—you can easily double that garlic butter component and toss that into the onions and mushrooms before layering them back on the chicken!
Ingredient Substitutions for Your Skillet Chicken Recipe
Look, I’m all about sticking to the recipe that hits that authentic taste, but I totally get it—sometimes you have to pivot based on what’s in the fridge or what your family prefers! Building trust means knowing you can make this recipe work for you, especially since we made sure this version of the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet is so adaptable. For instance, if you happen to have turkey cutlets instead of chicken, go for it! Turkey cooks up fast, just like chicken breast, so you can follow the exact same pounding and searing steps.
When it comes to cheese, Monterey Jack is my absolute favorite because of how creamy it gets, but if you’re out, don’t panic. Colby Jack works wonderfully, or even a mild Provolone will give you that nice, gooey blanket over the top. Anything that melts well will do the trick for this easy weeknight chicken!
Now, since we are working hard to keep this dish naturally gluten-free, I often get asked about what to serve it with. If you happen to be looking for sides and want to check out some amazing baking options for later in the week, you can look at my ideas on gluten-free bread recipes. But for serving tonight, know that the recipe stands perfectly on its own!
Serving Suggestions for Your Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
This rich **Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet** is totally hearty and satisfying all by itself, but if you’re looking to bulk up your fantastic family dinner ideas, you need some simple companions! I usually keep the sides straightforward so that cheesy, savory chicken gets to be the absolute star of the plate. Since this is a restaurant-style inspiration, you can’t go wrong with creamy starches. I love serving this over a bed of fluffy white rice so that it soaks up all those wonderful juices and melted cheese.
For a touch of green, a simple side salad works, but if you want something truly decadent, I highly recommend my recipe for creamy creamed spinach. Honestly, a few scoops of mashed potatoes or even some steamed green beans tossed with butter and salt makes this a complete, comforting meal that proves you don’t need a fancy restaurant to have a great night out!
Storing and Reheating the Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
We usually manage to get four hearty servings out of this recipe, which is perfect for a family meal, but sometimes there are just one or two delicious leftovers! And trust me, you *will* want leftovers of this easy weeknight chicken because it tastes just as good the next day. Storing it safely is super simple. Once the skillet has cooled down to room temperature—and this is important, don’t rush putting hot food straight into the fridge—scoop the chicken, veggies, and cheese into an airtight container. You can keep this for about three days in the refrigerator; any longer and the texture starts to suffer a bit, especially that glorious melted cheese.
When it comes time to reheat to bring back that wonderful, savory flavor, avoid the microwave if you can, or at least use it gently. Microwaving can sometimes make the chicken rubbery or cause the cheese to separate weirdly. My favorite trick is reheating on the stovetop. Put a small portion in a clean skillet over *very* low heat. Add just a tiny splash of water or chicken broth—like a teaspoon—right next to the chicken (not directly on top of the cheese). Cover it tightly with a lid for a few minutes. That steam gently warms everything through, keeps the chicken moist, and revives that velvety texture. If you’re in a huge rush, use the microwave on 50% power in short bursts until it’s heated through. For more ideas on speedy cooking, check out my general tips on easy weeknight chicken meals!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Texas Roadhouse Chicken Copycat
I know you might have a few questions buzzing around after seeing how simple this skillet chicken recipe is! It’s natural to want to know the little tricks that make this copycat dish taste so authentic, especially if you are looking for solid easy weeknight chicken fixes. Let me clear up the common things people wonder about before you start cooking!
Can I make this Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet ahead of time?
Yes and no! I wouldn’t recommend cooking the whole thing through and then letting a day pass—that cheese just won’t be the same when you reheat it. However, you can absolutely do all the prep work ahead of time. Pound and season your chicken the night before and keep it covered in the fridge. You can also chop up all your onions and mushrooms ahead of time. Then tonight, you just sauté and cook, which saves so much time!
What is the best way to pound chicken breasts evenly for this skillet chicken recipe?
This is crucial for your chicken to cook through properly in 12 minutes! You need to use plastic wrap, seriously. Place your halved chicken breast between two sheets of wrap. Then, use the flat side of a meat mallet (or even a heavy pan bottom if you don’t have one). Start pounding gently from the center and work your way out. You’re aiming for a consistent half-inch thickness all the way across so you don’t end up with one side that’s dry while the other is still pink!
Is this recipe truly an easy weeknight chicken option?
Oh, absolutely! When I say it’s an easy weeknight option, I mean it. The recipe comes together for a total time of just 30 minutes, and since we are using one big skillet, cleanup is practically minimal. You get that hearty, satisfying flavor profile that reminds you of the restaurant experience without any complicated steps or hours stuck over the stove. Perfect for a busy evening!
Share Your Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet Experience
Now it’s your turn! Honestly, seeing your creations light up my day more than anything else. This is why I love sharing these family dinner ideas—it’s about building community around good, comforting food. If you tried this **Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet** and it brought some joy (or just solved your weeknight dinner crisis!), please let me know how it went!
Don’t be shy! Drop a comment below and give this recipe a star rating. Did you serve it with rice or potatoes? Did you add an extra sprinkle of seasoned salt? I’m dying to hear the tales of your skillet success. And if you snapped a picture of that perfectly melted Monterey Jack, please share it on social media and tag me—I want to see your beautiful work! If you ever want to chat about substitutions or just need to get in touch, you can always reach out over on my contact page. Happy cooking, everyone!

Texas Roadhouse Butter Chicken Skillet
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally. Place each half between sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound with a meat mallet until the chicken is of a uniform thickness. Season the chicken with seasoned salt and ground black pepper.
- Place the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. When the butter is hot, add the onions along with a two-finger pinch of salt. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the mushrooms and sauté for another 3 to 4 minutes, until the mushrooms begin to brown. Remove the mushrooms and onions from the skillet.
- If the skillet is dry, add a teaspoon of butter. Then place the chicken breasts into the hot skillet. Do not overcrowd the pan; you may need to cook the chicken in batches depending on the size of the skillet. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes on one side. Flip and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes on the other side.
- Top the chicken with the onions, mushrooms, and Monterey Jack cheese. Turn off the stove when the cheese has melted and serve.
Notes
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Gluten-Free Chef & Latin Cuisine Innovation Specialist
My youngest son’s celiac diagnosis at four changed everything. Suddenly, all those traditional Brazilian and Portuguese recipes from my avó needed to be completely reimagined without losing their soul.
After graduating from Johnson & Wales and working Miami’s Latin fusion scene, my son’s diagnosis became my calling. How do you make gluten-free empanadas that taste like childhood? Over eight years, I’ve developed 320+ gluten-free recipes celebrating authentic Latin flavors using cassava flour and plantain alternatives.
My gluten-free empanada recipe won “Best Appetizer” at the 2023 Miami Gluten-Free Food Festival. I ran “Sabores Sin Gluten,” a catering business serving Miami’s Latino community—quinceañeras, family gatherings, all the celebrations that matter.
Food is culture, and everyone deserves to experience the joy of sharing traditional family meals, regardless of dietary restrictions.