Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken — juicy grilled chicken topped with sautéed mushrooms, onions, and melty cheese for down-home comfort!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe combines bold flavor and simple preparation. The marinated chicken ensures a juicy, seasoned base, while the skillet-seared mushrooms and onions add depth and sweetness. Topped with gooey Monterey Jack cheese, it’s satisfying, indulgent, and perfect for a cozy night in. It’s also a versatile meal that pairs easily with rice, mashed potatoes, or veggies.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup Italian dressing
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or other neutral, high-heat oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 10 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- ½ cup yellow onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons water
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 oz Monterey Jack cheese, sliced
Directions
- Place chicken breasts on a plate or cutting board. Poke several holes in each using a fork or jacquard tool. Place them in a dish or gallon-sized zip-top bag.
- Pour Italian dressing over the chicken and coat well. Refrigerate and marinate for 2 to 24 hours.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add avocado oil. Sear marinated chicken for about 5 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium and add butter. Sauté mushrooms and onions for 5–7 minutes until soft and fragrant. Add water to deglaze the pan.
- Season the mushroom-onion mixture with white pepper, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Move the mushrooms and onions to the side of the skillet. Return the chicken to the skillet and spoon the mixture over the chicken.
- Top each chicken breast with a slice of Monterey Jack cheese.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and golden.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 2
- Prep time: 2 hours 10 minutes (including marination)
- Cook time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Calories per serving: Approximately 678 kcal
Variations
- Cheese swap: Try Swiss, provolone, or mozzarella instead of Monterey Jack.
- Low-carb option: Serve over cauliflower mash or sautéed greens.
- Herb boost: Add chopped fresh thyme or rosemary to the mushroom mixture.
- Spicy version: Mix in crushed red pepper or diced jalapeños with the onions.
Storage/Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or microwave in 60-second intervals until heated through. If reheating in the oven, cover loosely with foil to prevent drying.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, boneless thighs work great and may be even juicier.
What can I serve with this dish?
Mashed potatoes, rice, roasted veggies, or a green salad all pair well.
Do I need a cast iron skillet?
No, any oven-safe skillet or baking dish will work.
Can I marinate the chicken overnight?
Absolutely—up to 24 hours for maximum flavor.
Is there a dairy-free version?
Use dairy-free cheese and oil instead of butter.
Can I use canned mushrooms?
Fresh mushrooms are best, but canned work in a pinch—just drain well.
What if I don’t have Italian dressing?
Substitute with a mix of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and dried herbs.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, if you use a gluten-free Italian dressing and check your seasonings.
Can I make this on the stovetop only?
Yes, just cover the skillet and cook until cheese melts and chicken reaches 165°F internally.
Does this freeze well?
Not ideally, as the texture of mushrooms and cheese may change, but it can be frozen for up to 1 month.
Conclusion
Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken brings steakhouse flavor right to your kitchen. With tender, marinated chicken, savory mushrooms and onions, and gooey melted cheese, it’s an easy, hearty dish that’s big on comfort and satisfaction. Whether you’re serving guests or making a weeknight special, this one-skillet favorite never disappoints.
More Irresistible Chicken Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken, here are some other savory and saucy chicken recipes to explore:
- Pan-Fried Honey Butter Chicken – Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, with a sweet buttery glaze.
- Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet – A one-pan dish full of creamy herb flavor.
- Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken – A slow-cooked Southern favorite with zesty seasoning.
- Cilantro Lime Chicken – Bright, fresh, and packed with citrusy punch.
- Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken – Light, fragrant, and slow-cooked with olives and herbs.
Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken
- Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
This Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken is a restaurant-style favorite featuring marinated chicken breasts smothered in sautéed mushrooms and onions, then topped with gooey, melted Monterey Jack cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ½ cup Italian dressing
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil or other neutral, high-heat oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 10 oz. cremini mushrooms, sliced
- ½ cup yellow onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons water
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, sliced
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts on a plate or cutting board. Using a jacquard tool or fork, poke several holes in the meat. Place chicken in a dish or a gallon-sized ziploc bag.
- Pour Italian dressing over the chicken, ensuring it’s well-coated. Refrigerate and let marinate for 2 to 24 hours.
- Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add avocado oil to the pan, then place the marinated chicken breasts in the skillet. Cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side until browned. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet, then add sliced mushrooms and onions. Sauté until both are softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes. Add water and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add white pepper, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt to the mushroom-onion mixture. Stir to combine.
- Move mushrooms and onions to the side of the skillet and place the browned chicken breasts back into the skillet. Spoon the mushroom-onion mixture over the chicken.
- Top each chicken breast with a slice of Monterey Jack cheese.
- Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and starting to brown.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use a mix of Monterey Jack and mozzarella cheese.
- Allow the chicken to marinate overnight for best results.
- This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes or a fresh green salad.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 678 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 41 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 60 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg