Craving a delicious, restaurant-quality chicken dish that you can easily make at home? Look no further than this Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Chicken! With its crispy, golden-brown coating, gooey melted cheese, and savory flavor, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Inspired by the beloved dish from Longhorn Steakhouse, this chicken is seasoned to perfection, baked to a juicy finish, and topped with a delightful mixture of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. It’s comfort food at its finest!
Why You’ll Love This Parmesan Chicken
Crispy and Flavorful: The combination of bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning creates a crunchy, flavorful coating that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Cheesy Goodness: A blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese melts over the chicken, adding a creamy, savory finish.
Restaurant-Quality at Home: Save money and enjoy a delicious meal in the comfort of your home with this copycat recipe.
Versatile and Easy: Perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion, this recipe is simple enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to serve to guests.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Ingredient Tips
Chicken Breasts: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are about the same size to ensure even cooking. If the breasts are very thick, consider pounding them to an even thickness to help them cook more evenly.
Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese offers the best flavor and texture, so try to use it if possible. Pre-grated cheese can sometimes have added starches that affect the texture.
Bread Crumbs: Use plain or Italian-seasoned bread crumbs based on your preference. Panko bread crumbs can be substituted for an even crispier texture.
Italian Seasoning: This seasoning mix typically includes basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your taste.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds a great burst of flavor to the cheese topping, but you can use garlic powder in a pinch.
Instructions Outline
Preheat and Prep:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish with olive oil. Set aside.
Prepare the Coatings:
In a shallow dish, combine the bread crumbs, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
In a second shallow dish, beat the eggs with the milk until well combined.
Place the flour in a third shallow dish.
Bread the Chicken:
Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess.
Next, dip the floured chicken in the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
Finally, coat the chicken in the bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
Pan-Fry the Chicken:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until they are golden brown and crispy. You’re not looking to cook them through at this stage, just to get a nice crust.
Prepare for Baking:
Transfer the browned chicken breasts to the prepared baking dish.
In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese with the shredded mozzarella cheese and minced garlic.
Top and Bake:
Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the chicken breasts. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the Parmesan chicken hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Pair this Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Chicken with a variety of sides to create a complete and satisfying meal:
Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes with a hint of garlic perfectly complement the cheesy, crispy chicken.
Steamed Vegetables: Lighten up the meal with a side of steamed broccoli, green beans, or asparagus.
Pasta: Serve over a bed of buttered pasta or spaghetti with marinara sauce for a comforting Italian twist.
Salad: A crisp garden salad with a light vinaigrette can add freshness and balance to the meal.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Storing Leftovers:
Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) and bake until warmed through. This will help maintain the crispy texture of the coating.
Freezing Instructions:
To freeze, prepare the chicken through Step 8 (breading and pan-frying), but do not bake. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container and store for up to 3 months. When ready to serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed.
Make-Ahead Tips:
You can prepare the breading and fry the chicken ahead of time. Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Top with the cheese mixture just before baking.
Variations
Herb and Lemon Parmesan Chicken:
Add 1 tablespoon of freshly grated lemon zest and 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley to the breadcrumb mixture for a fresh, zesty flavor.
Spicy Parmesan Chicken:
Add 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the bread crumb mixture for a bit of heat.
Extra Cheesy Version:
Use a combination of cheeses like provolone, fontina, or Asiago along with the Parmesan and mozzarella for an extra cheesy experience.
Gluten-Free Option:
Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free bread crumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
Panko Crusted Chicken:
Swap out regular bread crumbs for panko bread crumbs for an extra-crispy coating.
Final Note
This Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Chicken is a dish that brings the rich flavors of your favorite restaurant meal right to your kitchen. It’s simple to make, satisfying, and guaranteed to become a regular part of your meal rotation. Enjoy it with your favorite sides for a delicious dinner that the whole family will love!
Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients Â
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
InstructionsÂ
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish with olive oil.
- In a shallow dish, combine bread crumbs, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- In another shallow dish, beat the eggs with the milk.
- Place the flour in a third shallow dish.
- Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off the excess.
- Dip the floured chicken in the egg mixture, then coat with the bread crumb mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
- Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking dish.
- Mix the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese with mozzarella cheese and garlic.
- Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the chicken breasts.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!