Ultimate Copycat Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken: Easy One-Pan Recipe!

Prepare to fall in love with this incredibly easy and authentic copycat recipe for Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken! Imagine tender, juicy chicken breasts, generously topped with a rich, savory mushroom and onion sauce, all crowned with perfectly melted cheese. This restaurant-favorite dish is absolutely bursting with flavor, yet surprisingly simple to recreate right in your own kitchen. Forget the long waits and enjoy a gourmet meal without the fuss. This recipe brings the beloved taste of Texas Roadhouse straight to your dinner table, offering a satisfying and comforting experience that your whole family will adore. It’s perfect for a weeknight dinner but feels special enough for a weekend treat.

Smothered chicken breast topped with melted cheese served with a side of bacon green beans and a roll cut in half.

Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Recipe

Authentic Texas Roadhouse Flavor, Made at Home: This Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken recipe delivers an uncanny resemblance to the restaurant’s famous dish. You’ll achieve that same mouth-watering combination of tender chicken, savory sauce, and gooey cheese, all from the comfort of your own kitchen. It’s an elevated home-cooked meal that tastes like it came straight from your favorite steakhouse, without the need for reservations or a tip!
Effortless One-Pan Cooking: Say goodbye to stacks of dirty dishes! This entire recipe, from searing the chicken to simmering the sauce and melting the cheese, is meticulously designed to be cooked in just one pan. This not only simplifies the cooking process but also makes cleanup a breeze, giving you more time to enjoy your delicious meal and less time scrubbing.
Indulge in Extra Cheesy Goodness: If you’re a cheese lover, this recipe is for you! It’s inherently super cheesy, with a generous layer of Monterey Jack melting over the chicken and mushroom sauce. The best part? You have full control! Feel free to add even more cheese if you desire an extra decadent, bubbly, and rich finish. The more cheese, the merrier!
Perfectly Versatile with Any Side: While this smothered chicken is fantastic on its own, it truly shines when paired with complementary sides. We highly recommend serving this hearty dish with classic Texas Roadhouse Green Beans for a touch of fresh crunch, a fluffy Smoked Baked Potato for a comforting carb, and warm, soft Texas Roadhouse Rolls – perfect for soaking up every last drop of that incredible sauce. And if you happen to have any leftover rolls, they’re divine smothered in Copycat Texas Roadhouse Cinnamon Honey Butter! Other fantastic options include mashed potatoes, a simple garden salad, or roasted asparagus.

Expert Chef’s Tips for a Flawless Smothered Chicken

Opt for Large Chicken Breasts for Generous Portions: Since this recipe calls for splitting two chicken breasts to serve four, selecting the largest chicken breasts you can find is crucial. This ensures that each serving provides a satisfying amount of tender, flavorful chicken. Larger breasts are also easier to butterfly and pound consistently, leading to more even cooking. Aim for breasts that are plump and uniform in thickness for the best results.
Achieve Ultimate Tenderness with Proper Technique: The secret to truly tender, juicy chicken in this recipe lies in properly preparing the breasts. If you own a jaccard, use it generously to create small perforations in the chicken, which helps break down tough muscle fibers and allows seasonings to penetrate deeply. If you don’t have a jaccard, don’t fret! The tines of a regular kitchen fork will work just as effectively. Simply pierce the chicken breasts all over with the fork, then place them between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin to an even 1/2-inch thickness. This not only tenderizes the meat but also ensures quicker and more consistent cooking.
Master the Art of Searing for Flavor: When searing the chicken, ensure your skillet is adequately hot before adding the breasts. Cook without moving them for the initial 2-3 minutes. This crucial step allows a beautiful golden-brown crust to form, locking in juices and developing rich, caramelized flavors that are essential for the overall dish. Only flip once it easily releases from the pan.
Caramelize Onions and Mushrooms for Depth: Don’t rush the cooking of your onions and mushrooms. Allow them to soften and develop a beautiful golden hue, which indicates caramelization. This process brings out their natural sweetness and umami, forming the foundational flavor of your decadent smothering sauce. If the pan seems dry, don’t hesitate to add a little extra butter to aid in the caramelization.
Deglaze with Precision: The red wine serves a dual purpose: it adds a sophisticated depth of flavor and is essential for deglazing the pan. After cooking the chicken and vegetables, pour in the red wine and use a whisk to scrape up all the flavorful browned bits (fond) stuck to the bottom of the skillet. This “fond” is packed with concentrated taste and will enrich your sauce immensely. Be mindful of open flames if cooking on a gas stove, as the alcohol can briefly ignite.

Close up of a sliced smothered chicken breast topped with onions, mushrooms and melted cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken

I can’t find button mushrooms, can I substitute in another type?

Absolutely! While button mushrooms are standard, cremini (baby bella) mushrooms are an excellent substitute and will work beautifully, offering a slightly deeper, earthier flavor. Shiitake mushrooms (stems removed) or even sliced portobello caps can also be used for a more robust mushroom presence, just ensure they are thinly sliced to integrate well into the sauce. Choose any small, slicing mushroom that’s fresh and firm for the best results.

Help, my cheese isn’t melting properly!

This can sometimes happen if your pan doesn’t have a tight-fitting lid, allowing too much steam and heat to escape. If you find your cheese isn’t melting as quickly or as thoroughly as desired, don’t worry! Simply transfer the skillet to a preheated oven under the broiler for a quick 30-60 seconds, keeping a very close eye on it. The broiler will quickly melt and lightly brown the cheese, giving you that perfect gooey finish. Alternatively, you can cover the pan with a piece of aluminum foil if you don’t have a lid.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, absolutely! Chicken thighs are a fantastic alternative if you prefer dark meat or a richer flavor. They tend to be more forgiving and stay juicy even if slightly overcooked. Adjust the cooking time slightly, as thighs might take a few minutes longer to cook through depending on their size. You won’t need to butterfly them, but patting them dry and seasoning them well is still key for a good sear.

What if I don’t have red wine for deglazing?

No red wine? No problem! You can easily substitute it with beef broth or chicken broth for deglazing the pan. While the flavor profile will be slightly different (less acidic depth), it will still effectively lift the browned bits from the pan and contribute to a savory sauce. A splash of balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce can also add a touch of complexity if using broth.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Leftovers of this Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken are absolutely delicious! Store any cooled chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out, or microwave until heated through. Be careful not to overcook the chicken during reheating to maintain its tenderness. You can also cover it with foil and reheat in a moderate oven until warmed.

Plate of smothered chicken, green beans with bacon, a split baked potato topped with soured cream and grated cheese, and a torn bread roll.

More Delicious Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

Easy Baked Pecan Crusted Chicken
Copycat Texas Roadhouse Herb Crusted Chicken Recipe
Healthy Instant Pot Chicken Burrito Bowls
Easy Copycat Chick-Fil-A Cobb Salad Recipe
Healthy Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu
Gluten Free Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe

This Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken recipe is a true testament to how easy it is to bring restaurant-quality meals into your home kitchen. With its tender chicken, rich mushroom and onion sauce, and irresistibly melted cheese, it’s destined to become a staple in your meal rotation. Gather your ingredients, follow these simple steps, and prepare for a dish that’s sure to impress. Don’t forget to pair it with your favorite sides for a complete and satisfying dining experience. We can’t wait for you to try this ultimate comfort food!

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Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken Recipe

Prep: 10 minutes

Cook: 25 minutes

Total: 35 minutes

This easy copycat recipe for Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken tops a tender chicken breast in a rich mushroom and onion sauce, all finished off with melty Jack cheese. It’s ready in just 35 minutes – just add sides!

Cheryl Malik

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Ingredients

▢ 2 chicken breasts choose large ones
▢ salt and fresh cracked black pepper
▢ 3 tbsp butter plus extra if needed
▢ 1 medium onion cut into 1/4 inch slices
▢ ½ lb button mushrooms sliced
▢ 2 tsp seasoning blend like Kinder steakhouse
▢ 2 tbsp red wine
▢ ¼ lb Monterey Jack cheese shredded, or as needed

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Instructions

Carefully cut each chicken breast horizontally to create two thinner, flatter breasts (butterflying). Then, use a jaccard or the tines of a fork to tenderize the chicken, piercing it all over. Season both sides generously with plenty of salt and fresh cracked black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the prepared chicken breasts to the hot skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan (cook in batches if necessary). Cook the chicken without moving for 2-3 minutes, or until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms and the chicken easily releases from the skillet. Flip the breasts and cook for another 2 minutes, or until they are firm to the touch and cooked through. Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate and set aside.
In the same skillet (no need to clean it, those browned bits are flavor!), add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and let it melt until it’s foaming. Add the sliced mushrooms and onions to the skillet. Allow them to soften and begin to caramelize for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once softened, season the mixture generously with your chosen seasoning blend, like Kinder Steakhouse. Continue cooking for another few minutes until the vegetables are tender and fragrant.
Carefully pour the red wine into the hot pan to deglaze it. Be cautious, as the alcohol might briefly flame up if you’re cooking on a gas stove. Use a whisk to vigorously scrape up all the flavorful browned bits (fond) stuck to the bottom of the pan. Bring the liquid to a boil and let it simmer for about one minute, allowing the alcohol to cook off and the flavors to meld, creating a rich base for your sauce.
Reduce the heat to low. Gently push the mushroom and onion mixture to one side of the skillet, and then return the cooked chicken breasts to the pan. Spoon the flavorful mushroom and onion mixture generously over the top of each chicken breast. Finally, sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the chicken and sauce. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid, and let the cheese melt for about 30-60 seconds, or until it’s completely gooey and bubbly. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Choose large chicken breasts for proper portions. As you’re splitting two chicken breasts between four, choose the largest chicken breasts you can find so that everyone gets enough chicken!
Use a fork if you don’t own a jaccard. The key is to get nice, tender, juicy chicken – the prongs of a fork will work if you don’t own one! Simply pierce the chicken all over before pounding it to an even thickness.
Don’t skip the deglazing step! Those browned bits at the bottom of the pan are packed with flavor and are essential for a rich, restaurant-quality sauce.
Customize your cheese! While Monterey Jack is traditional, feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses like provolone, white cheddar, or a Mexican blend for a different twist.

Nutrition Information

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.