Craving the rich, savory flavors of LongHorn Steakhouse’s famous parmesan crusted chicken but don’t want to leave home? You’re in luck! This LongHorn Steakhouse parmesan crusted chicken recipe brings the restaurant experience right to your kitchen. Known for its crispy, cheesy crust and juicy interior, this copycat recipe captures all the delicious elements that make the original so popular. With a perfect blend of parmesan, cheddar, and savory seasonings creating an irresistible golden crust over tender chicken breasts, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. The best part? It’s surprisingly easy to make, requiring just a handful of ingredients and about 30 minutes of your time. Let’s dive into recreating this restaurant classic that combines the richness of cheese with perfectly cooked chicken for a dinner that will impress everyone at your table.
Recreating the Perfect LongHorn Recipe at Home
The LongHorn Steakhouse parmesan crusted chicken is one of the restaurant’s most beloved non-steak offerings, and for good reason! The combination of tender chicken breast with a crispy, savory parmesan crust creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors that keeps customers coming back for more. This copycat recipe allows you to enjoy this restaurant-style chicken any night of the week.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty: Easy
Ingredients for Parmesan Crusted Chicken
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 6-8 oz each)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Parmesan Crust:
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
Equipment Needed
- Large oven-safe skillet (preferably cast iron)
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Meat thermometer
- Aluminum foil
- Baking sheet (if you don’t have an oven-safe skillet)
Instructions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Preparing the chicken is critical for this restaurant-quality dish:
- Check thickness – If your chicken breasts are very thick, pound them to an even ¾-inch thickness using a meat mallet. This ensures even cooking and tender results.
- Dry the surface – Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This crucial step helps seasonings adhere better and promotes proper browning.
- Season thoroughly – Apply an even coating of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to both sides of each chicken breast. Remember that proper seasoning builds the foundation of flavor for your Parmesan crust.
Pro tip: Allow the seasoned chicken to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before cooking for more even cooking and juicier results.
Step 2
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil begins to shimmer, it’s ready for the chicken. Carefully place the seasoned chicken breasts into the hot skillet, allowing them to cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until they develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.
Important tip: Resist the urge to move the chicken too early—this will ensure proper searing and flavor development.
Once the first side is golden, flip the chicken breasts and sear the other side for another 3-4 minutes. Remember, you’re only searing the exterior at this stage to lock in juices and create texture; the chicken will finish cooking in the oven to achieve that signature LongHorn tenderness while maintaining moisture.
Note: If your skillet isn’t oven-safe, transfer the seared chicken to a prepared baking dish before moving to the next step.
Step 3
While your chicken is developing that perfect golden sear, it’s time to create the star of this dish—the savory parmesan crust. In a medium bowl, combine:
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Mix these ingredients thoroughly until you achieve a thick, cohesive mixture. The melted butter and ranch dressing will bind the cheeses together, creating that signature creamy texture that LongHorn Steakhouse is famous for. Ensure there are no dry spots in your mixture—every bit of cheese should be slightly moistened by the wet ingredients for that perfect melt on top of the chicken.
Pro tip: Room temperature ranch dressing incorporates more smoothly than cold dressing straight from the refrigerator.
Step 4
After searing the chicken on both sides, turn off the heat. Using a spoon, carefully distribute the parmesan mixture evenly over each chicken breast. Make sure to spread it to completely cover the top surface of each piece. The residual heat from the pan will help melt the cheese slightly, creating that signature LongHorn crust.
Pro tip: For an extra golden crust, you can place the pan under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, but watch it closely to prevent burning the cheese topping.
The parmesan mixture should begin to form a beautiful golden crust that locks in the chicken’s moisture while adding incredible flavor.
Step 5
Carefully transfer your skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. This critical step ensures:
- The chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
- The Parmesan crust melts perfectly and develops a beautiful golden-brown color
- All flavors meld together for that signature LongHorn taste
No oven-safe skillet? No problem! Simply transfer your seared chicken breasts to a prepared baking dish before adding the cheese topping and placing in the oven.
Tip: Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness without cutting into the chicken and losing precious juices.
Watch closely during the final minutes of baking – that perfect golden crust develops quickly and is the hallmark of an authentic LongHorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken.
Step 6
For that signature LongHorn Steakhouse golden-brown, bubbly parmesan crust:
- After your chicken has baked for about 20 minutes and is nearly done, switch your oven to the broil setting.
- Place the chicken on the upper rack, approximately 6 inches from the heating element.
- Broil for 1-2 minutes only, watching carefully the entire time.
- Look for these visual cues that indicate perfection:
- The parmesan crust becomes bubbly and active
- The cheese develops a golden color with some deeper brown spots
- The edges appear extra crispy
Do not walk away during broiling! The difference between perfectly caramelized and burnt happens in seconds.
This final broiling step is what separates homemade parmesan crusted chicken from the restaurant-quality version you’re aiming to recreate. The intense direct heat creates that distinctively crisp texture while adding complex flavor through controlled caramelization.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Once your chicken has reached that perfect golden-brown color, remove the baking dish from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving. This critical resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring each bite is as moist and flavorful as what you’d experience at LongHorn Steakhouse.
While waiting:
- The parmesan crust will set to the perfect texture
- The internal temperature will stabilize
- The flavors will further meld together
Just before serving, sprinkle with additional fresh chopped parsley for a vibrant color contrast and fresh flavor boost. The bright green parsley against the golden parmesan crust creates that perfect restaurant-quality presentation.
Serve immediately on warmed plates to maintain the ideal temperature and texture of your homemade LongHorn-inspired parmesan crusted chicken.
Easy Chicken Preparation Tips
Before we dive into the step-by-step instructions, let’s cover some important tips to ensure your cheddar crusted chicken turns out perfectly:
- Even Thickness: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness (about ¾ inch) to ensure they cook evenly. This is crucial for juicy chicken that’s not overcooked in some areas and undercooked in others.
- Room Temperature: Allow the chicken to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before cooking. Cold chicken straight from the refrigerator won’t cook as evenly.
- Pat Dry: Always pat your chicken breasts dry with paper towels before seasoning. This helps the seasonings stick and promotes better browning.
- Don’t Rush: The golden-brown sear on the chicken adds tremendous flavor, so don’t flip the chicken too early when searing.
- Temperature Is Key: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety while avoiding overcooking.
Creating the Perfect Cheese Crust
The signature element of this savory chicken dinner is the crispy, savory crust. For the best results:
- Combine the parmesan and cheddar cheeses thoroughly to create a well-balanced flavor.
- Make sure your ranch dressing is at room temperature for easier mixing with the other crust ingredients.
- The crust mixture should have a spreadable consistency – not too thick and not too runny.
- When applying the cheese mixture, create an even layer across the top of each chicken breast.
- Broiling at the end is crucial for achieving that perfectly golden, slightly crispy crust that LongHorn Steakhouse is known for.
Now that you’re prepared with all the insider tips, let’s move on to the cooking process for this mouthwatering chicken breast recipe!
