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Juicy chicken resting in small pools of melted seasoned butter, garnished with cracked black pepper and fresh parsley.
FL Recipes

Cowboy Butter Chicken: Pan-Seared to Golden Perfection

Master this restaurant-quality Cowboy Butter Chicken recipe featuring pan-seared golden brown chicken breasts smothered in a rich, glossy, creamy yellow garlic butter sauce made right in a cast iron skillet.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 2 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts about 450g, pounded to 1/2-inch (1.25cm) thickness
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 15g, for a light dredge
  • 1 tbsp olive oil 15ml
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter 85g, cut into tablespoons
  • 4 cloves minced garlic 12g, freshly minced
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth 60ml
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard 5g
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes 1g
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley 8g, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 15ml, plus extra lemon wedges for garnish

Equipment

  • 1 Black Cast-Iron Skillet Essential for creating the deep golden-brown crust.
  • 1 Meat Mallet Used to pound the chicken to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
  • 1 Silicone Whisk Used for emulsifying the butter without scratching the pan.

Method
 

Step-by-Step Directions
  1. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board, cover with plastic wrap, and gently pound to an even 1/2-inch (1.25cm) thickness with a meat mallet. Season generously with kosher salt and cracked black pepper.
  2. Lightly dust the seasoned poultry with 2 tbsp (15g) of all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess to ensure a micro-thin layer.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp (15ml) of olive oil in a black cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken and sear undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms. Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate to rest.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the skillet, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until deeply fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and Dijon mustard. Use a silicone whisk to scrape up the golden-brown bits from the bottom. Let the liquid reduce by half for about 2 minutes.
  6. Turn the heat to the lowest setting. Vigorously whisk in the unsalted butter, one tablespoon at a time, until you achieve a glossy, creamy yellow emulsion. Stir in the finely chopped fresh parsley and lemon juice.
  7. Return the resting chicken to the skillet, turning it to coat in the small pools of melted seasoned butter. Garnish with cracked black pepper and a lemon wedge on the side. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 520kcalProtein: 28gFat: 42gFiber: 1g

Notes

Tip 1: If your butter sauce separates and looks oily, immediately remove the pan from heat and whisk in a tablespoon of cold water or heavy cream to bring it back together.
Tip 2: Do not skip pounding the chicken to an even thickness; it guarantees a juicy interior without burning the exterior crust.
Keyword cowboy butter chicken,garlic butter sauce,pan-seared chicken breast,skillet chicken

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