Recreate the restaurant’s famous dish at home with this perfectly tested recipe that captures every bit of that rich, cheesy flavor and crispy parmesan crust you love.

If you’ve ever experienced the mouthwatering Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe, you know it’s something special. That perfect combination of tender chicken, crispy parmesan coating, and melty cheese topping is nothing short of addictive. Today, I’m sharing my meticulously tested copycat recipe that brings this restaurant favorite right to your kitchen. After numerous attempts to perfect the signature parmesan ranch chicken flavor profile, I can confidently say this recipe tastes just like the real thing!

Table of Contents

What Makes Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe So Special?

Longhorn Steakhouse has mastered the art of the parmesan crusted chicken by combining a few key elements:

A perfectly seasoned ranch marinade that tenderizes the chicken
A crispy, well-seasoned parmesan crust that adheres perfectly
A signature cheese topping that creates that irresistible flavor
Precise cooking techniques that keep the chicken juicy while creating a golden crust

Let’s break down exactly how to recreate this magic at home!

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Ingredients Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe

For the Chicken Marinade:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 oz each)
1/2 cup buttermilk ranch dressing
1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix (like Hidden Valley)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Parmesan Crust:

1 cup panko breadcrumbs
3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (not the pre-shredded kind)
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons olive oil (for pan-frying)

For the Cheese Topping:

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup provolone cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons ranch dressing
1 tablespoon butter, melted

Equipment You’ll Need

Meat mallet or rolling pin
Shallow dishes for breading station
Large oven-safe skillet (preferably cast iron)
Instant-read thermometer
Parchment paper
Baking sheet

Step-by-Step Instructions Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Marinate the Chicken

Pound the chicken breasts: Place chicken between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound to an even 1/2-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking and tenderness.
Mix the marinade: In a bowl, combine ranch dressing, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Marinate: Place chicken in a zip-top bag or shallow dish and pour marinade over it, ensuring all pieces are well-coated. Seal and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably 4-6 hours for maximum flavor penetration.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading Station

Set up stations: Place flour in one shallow dish, beaten eggs in another, and in a third dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Dry the chicken: When ready to cook, remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels. This crucial step helps the breading adhere properly.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

Dredge in flour: Lightly coat each chicken breast in flour, shaking off excess.
Dip in egg: Next, dip in beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off.
Coat with parmesan mixture: Finally, press firmly into the panko-parmesan mixture, ensuring an even coating on both sides. Really press the mixture into the chicken to create a solid crust.
Rest the breaded chicken: Place breaded chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let rest for 5-10 minutes to help the coating set.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken

Preheat oven to 375°F: You’ll finish the chicken in the oven after pan-frying.
Heat the skillet: Add olive oil to a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking.
Pan-fry the chicken: Place breaded chicken in the hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Work in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
Transfer to oven: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 5: Add the Cheese Topping

Prepare the cheese mixture: In a small bowl, combine both cheeses, ranch dressing, and melted butter.
Top the chicken: Remove skillet from oven, switch to broiler mode. Spoon the cheese mixture evenly over each chicken breast.
Broil: Return to oven and broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully, until cheese is melted and bubbly with golden-brown spots.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Rest briefly: Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Garnish: Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
Serve: Plate alongside classic Longhorn sides like garlic mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.

Secrets to Success: Pro Tips for Perfect Parmesan Crusted Chicken

For Perfectly Juicy Chicken:

Even thickness is crucial: Don’t skip the pounding step, as it ensures even cooking.
Don’t overcook: Use an instant-read thermometer and remove the chicken from the oven once it hits 165°F.
The marinade timing matters: While 2 hours will work, 4-6 hours produces the most flavorful and tender results.

For a Crispy, Well-Adhered Crust:

Thoroughly dry the chicken: After marinating, pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels.
Press firmly: Really press the breadcrumb mixture into the chicken to ensure it sticks.
Rest before cooking: The 5-10 minute rest after breading helps the coating set.
Maintain proper oil temperature: If the oil is too hot, the crust will burn before the chicken cooks; if too cool, the crust will absorb too much oil and become soggy.

For the Perfect Cheese Topping:

Use freshly grated cheese: Pre-packaged shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting.
Watch the broiler carefully: The difference between perfectly melted cheese and burnt cheese is often just a matter of seconds.
The ranch in the cheese mixture: This is a key “secret ingredient” that gives it that authentic Longhorn flavor profile.

What to Serve with Parmesan Crusted Chicken

For the authentic Longhorn Steakhouse experience, serve your parmesan crusted chicken with:

Garlic mashed potatoes
Steamed broccoli or asparagus
A side salad with ranch dressing
Warm dinner rolls with butter

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezing: While possible, freezing isn’t recommended as it can affect the texture of the crust.
Reheating: For best results, reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through. This helps preserve the crispy texture far better than microwaving, which will make the crust soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe

What is in Longhorn parmesan crusted chicken?

Longhorn’s parmesan crusted chicken features chicken breasts topped with a parmesan cheese crust and a creamy provolone cheese blend. The chicken is marinated in a ranch-based mixture and the crust contains panko breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese, along with various seasonings for that signature flavor.

What kind of cheese does Longhorn use in their parmesan crusted chicken?

Longhorn Steakhouse uses a combination of parmesan and provolone cheeses in their signature parmesan crusted chicken. The parmesan provides the nutty, salty flavor in the crust, while the provolone adds that perfect gooey, melty texture to the topping.

How do you make chicken crust stay on?

To ensure your parmesan crust stays on the chicken: 1) Thoroughly dry the chicken after marinating, 2) Use the flour-egg-breadcrumb sequence, 3) Press the breading firmly onto the chicken, 4) Let the breaded chicken rest before cooking, and 5) Maintain proper oil temperature when pan-frying.

Can I bake this instead of pan-frying?

Yes, you can bake the breaded chicken instead of pan-frying. Preheat your oven to 425°F, place the breaded chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, spray with cooking oil, and bake for about 20-25 minutes until golden and cooked through. The texture won’t be quite the same as the original, but it’s a good alternative for those looking to reduce oil usage.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance and prepare the breading mixture ahead of time. However, for best results, bread the chicken just before cooking. If you need to bread in advance, keep the breaded chicken uncovered in the refrigerator for no more than a few hours to prevent the coating from becoming soggy.

This copycat Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Crusted Chicken recipe brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your dinner table. With the perfect balance of tender chicken, crispy parmesan crust, and gooey cheese topping, this dish is sure to become a family favorite. The ranch-infused marinade and cheese topping are what truly set this recipe apart from other parmesan chicken recipes, capturing that unmistakable Longhorn flavor profile.

Whether you’re craving that Longhorn experience without leaving home or looking to impress dinner guests with a restaurant-quality meal, this recipe delivers on all fronts. Follow the tips for success, and you’ll create a dish that rivals (or even surpasses) the original!

Give this parmesan ranch chicken recipe a try and let me know in the comments how it turned out for you. What sides did you pair it with? Did you make any tasty modifications to the provolone crusted chicken? I’d love to hear about your experience!

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The Ultimate Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe (Copycat)