Description
This Creamy Cowboy Butter Chicken recipe features juicy chicken thighs seared to perfection and simmered in a rich, buttery cream sauce infused with smoky paprika, garlic, and zesty lemon. Perfect for a hearty and flavorful dinner, it’s simple to prepare and serves four with a luscious sauce that pairs beautifully with your favorite sides.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare and sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper evenly. Place the chicken in the skillet and sear for about 5 to 6 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce base: Reduce the heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. Allow it to melt while scraping up any browned bits stuck to the pan. Add minced garlic, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper to the butter. Cook for about 1 minute until the spices are fragrant and aromatic.
- Add flavorings: Whisk in the Dijon mustard, lemon zest, and lemon juice into the skillet. Let the mixture simmer gently for 1 to 2 minutes to meld the flavors together.
- Incorporate liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and bring the sauce to a simmer. Then stir in the heavy cream until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Return chicken and finish cooking: Place the seared chicken thighs back into the skillet. Spoon the sauce over each piece, and simmer everything together for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the chicken to soak up the flavors of the sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the top of the dish for a fresh herbal note. Serve the creamy cowboy butter chicken hot alongside your favorite sides like mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- For an extra smoky flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked chipotle powder.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, simmer it a few minutes longer to reduce before adding the chicken back in.
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs work best for tenderness and juiciness.
- Serve with crusty bread to enjoy every drop of the buttery sauce.
- Adjust cayenne pepper according to your preferred spice level.
