This indulgent Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken recipe features juicy chicken breasts topped with melted jack cheese and a rich, creamy sauce. It’s a restaurant-quality dish you can easily make at home in under an hour.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Texas Roadhouse copycat recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. The combination of tender chicken and creamy, cheesy topping creates a dish that’s both comforting and impressive. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners but special enough for entertaining guests. The simple ingredients create layers of flavor, while the one-skillet preparation means less cleanup. If you’re looking for a protein-packed, low-carb main dish that still feels indulgent, this smothered chicken hits all the right notes.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the star of this dish, providing a lean protein base that becomes incredibly tender when properly cooked. Look for breasts of similar size for even cooking.
Garlic adds an aromatic foundation to the sauce. Fresh minced garlic offers the best flavor, but pre-minced garlic from a jar works in a pinch if you’re short on time.
Jack cheese creates that signature melty, gooey topping. With its mild flavor and excellent melting properties, it’s perfect for smothering chicken. You can substitute monterey jack, pepper jack for a spicy kick, or even a mild cheddar if needed.
Heavy cream forms the base of the rich, velvety sauce. Its high fat content ensures the sauce won’t break or curdle during cooking, creating that luxurious mouthfeel restaurant dishes are known for.
Unsalted butter adds richness to the dish and is perfect for searing the chicken. Using unsalted variety allows you to control the overall saltiness of the dish.
Low-sodium chicken broth enhances the savory flavor without making the dish too salty. It also helps create more sauce to spoon over the chicken.
Paprika adds a subtle smoky flavor and beautiful color to the chicken. Regular paprika works well, but smoked paprika can add an extra dimension of flavor if you have it on hand.
Salt and pepper are essential for bringing out the flavors in the dish. Season to taste, keeping in mind that the cheese will add some saltiness as well.
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika, then sear until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes per side.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
- Top each chicken breast with about 1/3 cup shredded jack cheese, then transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes 4 servings, perfect for a family dinner. You’ll need approximately 15 minutes for preparation and 30 minutes for cooking, bringing the total time to around 45 minutes. Each serving contains approximately 480 calories, making it a satisfying main dish that can be paired with lighter sides for a balanced meal.
Variations
Spicy Smothered Chicken: Add a diced jalapeño to the sauce and use pepper jack cheese instead of regular jack cheese for a kick of heat.
Mushroom and Onion Smothered Chicken: Sauté 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms and one thinly sliced onion after cooking the garlic, then proceed with the recipe as directed.
Herb-Infused Version: Add 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning or fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary to the sauce for an aromatic variation.
Lighter Version: Substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream and reduce the cheese by half for a lighter but still flavorful dish.
Storage/Reheating
Refrigeration: Store leftover smothered chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers particularly delicious.
Freezing: While you can freeze this dish, the cream sauce may separate slightly upon thawing. To freeze, cool completely and store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: For best results, reheat the chicken slowly in a 325°F oven, covered with foil, for about 15-20 minutes until warmed through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals until heated to your liking. Add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much during storage.
Make Ahead: You can prepare the chicken up to the point of baking, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before finishing in the oven. Add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe and often result in even juicier meat. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly as thighs can take a bit longer to cook through depending on their size.
How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of a breast – the meat should be completely white with no pink remaining.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
While the cheese and cream are significant components of this dish, you could experiment with dairy-free alternatives. Try coconut cream instead of heavy cream and a dairy-free cheese substitute that melts well, though the flavor profile will change significantly.
What sides pair well with this smothered chicken?
This rich chicken pairs beautifully with sides like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or a crisp green salad to balance the creaminess of the dish.
Can I make this dish in advance for a dinner party?
Yes, you can sear the chicken and prepare the sauce ahead of time, then refrigerate. When ready to serve, bring to room temperature, add the cheese, and finish baking. This makes it perfect for entertaining.
My sauce is too thin. How can I thicken it?
If your sauce needs thickening, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water and stir this slurry into the simmering sauce before adding the cheese and baking.
What can I substitute for jack cheese?
If jack cheese isn’t available, try mozzarella, provolone, or a mild cheddar – any cheese with good melting properties will work well in this recipe.
Is this recipe keto-friendly?
Yes, this smothered chicken is naturally low in carbohydrates and high in fat and protein, making it suitable for those following a ketogenic diet.
Can I add vegetables to the dish?
Absolutely! Spinach, bell peppers, or broccoli can be added to the skillet after cooking the garlic. Sauté until just tender before proceeding with the recipe.
How can I make this recipe lower in calories?
To reduce calories, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, reduce the amount of cheese, or use a part-skim cheese variety. You could also use cooking spray instead of butter for searing the chicken.
Conclusion
This Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken recipe brings restaurant-quality comfort food right to your dining table. The combination of tender chicken, creamy sauce, and melted cheese creates an irresistible dish that’s sure to become a family favorite. Perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions, this versatile recipe can be adapted to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs. The straightforward preparation means you don’t need to be a seasoned chef to achieve impressive results. Whether you serve it with a side of vegetables for a low-carb meal or pair it with mashed potatoes for a more indulgent dinner, this smothered chicken is guaranteed to satisfy.
Print
Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken with Jack Cheese
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A savory dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a creamy garlic sauce and topped with melted jack cheese.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 cups shredded jack cheese
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and paprika, then sear until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes per side.
- Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the skillet. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes.
- Top each chicken breast with about 1/3 cup shredded jack cheese, then transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- You can substitute jack cheese with another melting cheese like mozzarella or cheddar if needed.
- For a spicier variation, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
- Serve with a side of rice, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
