Copycat Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe

The Best Copycat Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe

Craving a restaurant-quality chicken dish that brings incredible flavor right to your kitchen?

Longhorn steakhouse inspired this parmesan crusted chicken recipe with its irresistible crispy coating and juicy interior.

Passionate home cooks can easily recreate this mouthwatering meal that looks impressive but takes minimal effort.

Cheese lovers will appreciate the golden-brown parmesan crust that delivers incredible texture and rich, savory notes.

Perfectly seasoned chicken breasts create a delightful main course that feels like a gourmet restaurant experience.

Each bite promises a delectable combination of crisp exterior and tender meat that will have everyone asking for seconds.

You can master this restaurant favorite without spending hours in the kitchen or breaking the bank on expensive ingredients.

FAQs

  • What ingredients are crucial for the marinade?

The marinade typically includes ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, and seasonings that help tenderize and flavor the chicken, creating a delicious base for the dish.

  • How does pounding the chicken help the recipe?

Pounding the chicken to 1/2 inch thickness ensures even cooking, helps the meat absorb marinade more effectively, and creates a more tender and consistent texture throughout the chicken.

  • Why use a cast iron skillet for searing?

Cast iron skillets provide excellent heat retention and distribution, creating a perfect golden-brown sear that locks in the chicken’s moisture and develops a rich, delicious crust.

Copycat Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken

  • Tackle a Restaurant-Style Dish: Recreate the beloved Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken right in your kitchen, transforming a dining-out favorite into a homemade masterpiece.
  • Master Versatile Cooking Techniques: Learn professional-level skills like marinating, searing, and broiling that elevate your chicken from ordinary to extraordinary with restaurant-quality results.
  • Customize Your Culinary Adventure: Adjust seasoning, cheese ratios, and marinading time to match your personal taste preferences, making this recipe uniquely yours every single time.
  • Impress Your Dinner Companions: Serve a stunning chicken dish that looks and tastes like it came straight from a high-end restaurant, guaranteed to wow family and friends with minimal cooking expertise.

Ingredients to Make Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Proteins:
  • Chicken Breasts: Tender and flavorful meat that serves as the main protein for this delicious dish.
Marinade Ingredients:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor.
  • Vegetable Oil: Helps create a perfect sear and prevents sticking during cooking.
Cheese and Topping Mixture:
  • Parmesan Cheese, Provolone Cheese: Rich, melty cheeses that provide a creamy and savory coating for the chicken.
  • Ranch Dressing: Adds a tangy and creamy element to the cheese mixture.
Breadcrumb Topping:
  • Breadcrumbs: Provides a crispy and golden exterior to the chicken.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds a subtle, aromatic flavor to the breadcrumb coating.
  • Melted Butter: Helps the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken and creates a rich, golden crust.

How to Cook Parmesan Crusted Chicken Copycat

Step 1: Whisk Marinade Magic

Create a smooth marinade by whisking all ingredients together until well blended.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken for Tender Perfection

  • Place chicken in a large freezer bag
  • Remove air and seal securely
  • Gently pound chicken with meat tenderizer until it reaches 1/2 inch thickness

Step 3: Season with Flavor

Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken to enhance its taste.

Step 4: Marinate and Infuse

  • Transfer chicken to a clean freezer bag
  • Pour marinade over chicken
  • Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (overnight for deeper flavor)

Step 5: Sear to Golden Deliciousness

Heat vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 6: Cook Chicken to Perfection

  • Lay chicken in the hot skillet
  • Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden brown
  • Reduce heat if pan becomes too hot
  • Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and cover with foil

Step 7: Preheat Broiler

Set oven to low broil at approximately 450°F.

Step 8: Create Cheesy Topping

  • Combine Parmesan cheese
  • Add Provolone cheese
  • Mix in Ranch dressing
  • Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each
  • Spread melted cheese mixture over chicken

Step 9: First Cheese Broil

Broil for 3 minutes until cheese begins to turn golden.

Step 10: Add Crunchy Topping

  • Mix melted butter
  • Stir in garlic powder
  • Blend with breadcrumbs
  • Sprinkle mixture over chicken

Step 11: Final Golden Touch

Broil for an additional minute until breadcrumbs turn golden brown, watching carefully to prevent burning.

Tips to Nail Longhorn Parmesan Chicken

  • Marinate chicken overnight for maximum flavor depth and tenderness. Pound chicken evenly to ensure consistent cooking and prevent dry spots. Use a cast iron skillet for the best golden-brown sear and restaurant-quality results. Check cheese mixture consistency by microwaving in short intervals to avoid burning. Watch broiling time carefully to prevent burning breadcrumbs and achieve perfect golden color.

Variations to Refresh Parmesan Crusted Chicken

  • Gluten-Free Crunch Chicken: Replace breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free cornflakes or almond meal for a crispy coating that's safe for gluten-sensitive individuals.
  • Herb-Infused Mediterranean Version: Swap Ranch dressing with Greek yogurt and add dried oregano, basil, and thyme to the cheese mixture for a Mediterranean flavor profile.
  • Spicy Southwest Rendition: Mix in some chipotle powder or cayenne pepper to the cheese topping, and use pepper jack cheese instead of provolone for a fiery kick.
  • Low-Carb Protein Option: Eliminate breadcrumbs completely and use finely grated Parmesan and crushed pork rinds as a crunchy, low-carb alternative topping.

Pairing Ideas to Match Parmesan Chicken

  • Bright, zesty mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette cut through the rich, cheesy chicken, creating a refreshing balance that cleanses the palate between bites.
  • Tender, slightly charred asparagus spears complement the chicken's crispy parmesan crust, adding a subtle earthy note and elegant vegetable side.
  • Buttery, oak-aged Chardonnay matches the creamy cheese topping, its crisp acidity harmonizing with the dish's rich, savory profile and enhancing overall flavor complexity.

Storage Suggestions for Parmesan Chicken Leftovers

  • Refrigerator Storage: Securely wrap cooked chicken in airtight containers or tightly sealed plastic wrap. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days when stored at proper refrigeration temperatures.
  • Freezer Storage: Place chicken in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
  • Microwave Reheating: Place chicken on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature until warmed through. Avoid overheating to maintain moisture.
  • Oven Reheating: Preheat oven to 350°F. Wrap chicken in aluminum foil to retain moisture. Warm for 10-15 minutes, checking internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Copycat Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe

Copycat Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe


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4.6 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Longhorn parmesan crusted chicken brings classic steakhouse flavors to home kitchens with its crispy, cheesy exterior. Home cooks can easily recreate this restaurant favorite and enjoy a delicious meal you’ll want to make again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (finely chopped)
  • 1/2 cup provolone cheese (finely chopped)
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup ranch dressing
  • 6 tbsps buttermilk ranch salad dressing
  • 4 tbsps melted butter
  • 2 tbsps worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsps garlic powder
  • 3 tbsps vegetable oil
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp distilled white vinegar
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp ground pepper
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of pepper

Instructions

  1. Craft a silky marinade by whisking ingredients until thoroughly blended and smooth.
  2. Place chicken in a large freezer bag, carefully pound to achieve an even 1/2-inch thickness using a meat tenderizer.
  3. Generously season chicken with salt and pepper on both surfaces.
  4. Immerse chicken in marinade inside a sealed bag, refrigerate for minimum 30 minutes, preferably overnight for enhanced flavor infusion.
  5. Preheat cast iron skillet with vegetable oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  6. Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, developing a rich golden crust. Reduce heat if pan becomes too aggressive. Transfer seared chicken to a clean plate and loosely tent with foil.
  7. Position oven rack for low broiling, setting temperature to 450°F.
  8. Melt Parmesan, Provolone, and Ranch dressing in microwave, stirring every 15 seconds until completely combined and liquid.
  9. Spread melted cheese mixture generously over chicken’s surface.
  10. Broil for 3 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbly layer.
  11. Mix melted butter, garlic powder, and breadcrumbs, then sprinkle evenly over cheese-covered chicken.
  12. Broil an additional minute, watching carefully to prevent burning, until breadcrumbs turn golden brown.

Notes

  • Marinating chicken overnight intensifies the flavor profile, allowing ingredients to deeply penetrate the meat for maximum taste sensation.
  • Pounding chicken evenly ensures consistent cooking, preventing dry or undercooked sections while creating a uniform texture.
  • Using cast iron skillet guarantees superior heat distribution and creates an unbeatable golden-brown sear that locks in juiciness.
  • For gluten-free adaptation, swap breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour to maintain crispy texture without wheat-based ingredients.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 599 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 618 mg
  • Fat: 44 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 14 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 42 g
  • Cholesterol: 130 mg
Mike Reynolds

Mike Reynolds

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Farm-to-table cuisine, Seasonal recipe development, Sustainable cooking techniques, Food photography

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College (A-B Tech)
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Mike studied culinary arts with a strong focus on farm-to-table principles and sustainable cooking. His training emphasized the importance of fresh, local ingredients and environmentally responsible practices in the kitchen.


Mike’s food journey began deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where weekends at farmers’ markets and home-cooked meals sparked a lifelong obsession with simple, seasonal eating.
After earning his Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, he set out to bring farm-to-table cooking into everyday kitchens, without the fuss.
Mike’s philosophy is all about keeping it fresh, unfussy, and full of heart. When he’s not crafting new single-serving recipes, he’s hiking mountain trails, chatting with local farmers, or experimenting with wild ingredients in his backyard kitchen.

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