Description
30 minutes to rich, smoky Texas-style Butter Chicken! Sear cubed chicken in hot butter and infuse it with paprika and garlic right in the skillet.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 6 oz can tomato paste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt the butter in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season the cubed chicken generously with salt and black pepper, then add to the hot skillet. Sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides but not yet fully cooked through.
- Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium. Push the chicken to one side of the skillet and add the minced garlic and smoked paprika to the melted butter/juices. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in the entire can of tomato paste, mixing it thoroughly with the garlic and paprika for 2 minutes to cook out the raw tomato flavor. Incorporate the chicken into the tomato mixture.
- Step 4: Pour in the heavy cream and stir until the sauce is uniform and creamy orange. Bring the mixture to a rapid simmer, stirring often.
- Step 5: Reduce the heat to low and allow the skillet to simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F) and the sauce has thickened slightly. Serve immediately directly from the skillet.
Notes
- If you have leftovers, cool them quickly and store them in an airtight container for up to three days, noting that the heavy cream sauce will firm up considerably when chilled.
- When reheating, use gentle, low heat on the stovetop and stir in 1-2 tablespoons of water or milk to restore the creamy texture that may have solidified in the fridge.
- For the full "Roadhouse" experience, serve this skillet alongside a basket of soft dinner rolls or garlic knots perfect for dipping, or lighten it up with a simple side salad.
- The key to intense flavor is properly "blooming" the smoked paprika and garlic for one minute before stirring in the tomato paste—this brings out the fat-soluble compounds that define the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of Skillet Contents (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 820
- Fat: 60g
- Saturated Fat: 32g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g