Crispy Cowboy Butter Skillet Chicken with Smashed Potatoes
A quick and easy skillet meal featuring crispy chicken thighs coated in a flavorful cowboy butter and served with buttery smashed potatoes. Perfect for cozy dinners and busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1.5 pounds (700g) baby or new potatoes
- 6 tablespoons (85g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Wash and dry the baby potatoes. Boil them in salted water for about 15 minutes until just tender. Drain and let cool slightly.
- In a bowl, mix softened butter with minced garlic, smoked paprika, dried thyme, chili powder, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
- Pat dry the chicken thighs and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes until skin is golden and crisp. Flip and cook the other side for 3 minutes.
- Place the cooled potatoes on a baking sheet or in the skillet if space allows. Gently smash each potato with a masher or sturdy glass until flattened but still intact.
- Arrange smashed potatoes around the chicken in the skillet or on the baking sheet. Spread the cowboy butter evenly over the chicken and potatoes.
- Transfer the skillet or baking sheet to the oven and roast for 15-18 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and potatoes are crispy on the edges.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pat chicken dry to ensure crispy skin. Use a hot skillet and do not move chicken too soon to develop a golden crust. Boil potatoes just until tender to avoid mushy texture. If skillet is crowded, roast potatoes separately to keep crispiness. Butter can be swapped for dairy-free spread for a dairy-free version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 575
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 27
- Fiber: 3.5
- Protein: 37
Keywords: skillet chicken, cowboy butter, smashed potatoes, crispy chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food