7 Secrets to the Best Longhorn Parmesan Chicken Recipe

The Ultimate Longhorn Parmesan Chicken Recipe: A Garlic Parmesan Crusted Delight

Are you craving that irresistibly crispy, cheesy, and utterly delicious Longhorn Parmesan Chicken recipe? That perfect combination of juicy chicken breast, golden garlic parmesan crust, and creamy ranch topping that keeps you coming back to Longhorn Steakhouse? Well, your search ends here! After countless tests and tweaking every detail, I’ve created the closest longhorn parmesan chicken recipe you’ll find anywhere.

This garlic parmesan crusted chicken recipe recreates the restaurant’s beloved dish with such precision that you might never need to order it at the restaurant again. The secret lies in the perfect three-part harmony: tender chicken breasts, a crispy parmesan-garlic crust, and that signature creamy ranch parmesan sauce that takes this longhorn parmesan chicken recipe to legendary status.

Why You’ll Love This Longhorn Parmesan Chicken Recipe

• Authentic Restaurant Flavor: Experience the exact same flavors of Longhorn’s famous garlic parmesan crusted chicken without leaving home
• Clear, Tested Instructions: No guesswork—every step has been perfected through multiple test batches
• Impressive Dish for Guests: Watch your family and friends’ jaws drop when they taste this restaurant-quality parmesan chicken
• Budget-Friendly: Make four generous servings for less than the cost of one restaurant portion
• Customizable: Once you master the basic longhorn parmesan chicken recipe technique, you can adjust seasonings to your preference

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 ounces each)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (essential for that signature garlic parmesan flavor)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Garlic Parmesan Crust:

• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs (crucial for that signature crunch)
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (not pre-shredded or the green can variety)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil for frying (about 1 cup)

For the Creamy Ranch Parmesan Topping:

• ¾ cup ranch dressing (preferably Hidden Valley for authentic flavor)
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon onion powder
• Pinch of black pepper

Equipment Needed

• Meat mallet or heavy skillet (for pounding chicken)
• 3 shallow dishes for the breading station
• Large heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron pan
• Instant-read thermometer (recommended)
• Whisk
• Paper towels
• Baking sheet with wire rack (for keeping chicken warm)

How to Make Longhorn Parmesan Chicken Step-by-Step

1. Prepare the Chicken

First, place your chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and gently pound them to an even ½-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking and that signature tender texture of the longhorn parmesan chicken recipe.

Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow the seasonings to penetrate.

2. Set Up Your Breading Station

While the chicken rests, prepare your three-part breading station for this garlic parmesan crusted chicken:

• Dish 1: ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• Dish 2: 2 eggs, beaten
• Dish 3: Combine Panko breadcrumbs, freshly grated Parmesan, parsley, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder

3. Bread the Chicken

Dredge each chicken breast first in flour (shake off excess), then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally press firmly into the garlic parmesan mixture. Make sure to coat both sides and edges thoroughly. The secret to the perfect longhorn parmesan chicken recipe is pressing the breading firmly onto the chicken.

Place the breaded chicken on a plate and let rest for 5 minutes to help the coating adhere better.

4. Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in your large skillet over medium heat until it reaches approximately 350°F. You’ll need enough oil to come about ¼-inch up the sides of the pan.

Carefully place the breaded chicken breasts into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan (cook in batches if necessary).

Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until the crust is deeply golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The perfect golden garlic parmesan crust is essential for authentic longhorn parmesan chicken recipe results.

Transfer the cooked chicken to a wire rack over a baking sheet to keep warm while you prepare the topping.

5. Make the Creamy Ranch Parmesan Topping

In a small bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, sour cream, grated Parmesan, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.

6. Assemble and Serve

Place each piece of garlic parmesan crusted chicken on a plate and generously spoon the creamy ranch Parmesan topping over each piece. The warm chicken will slightly melt the topping, creating that irresistible Longhorn finish.

For the authentic Longhorn Steakhouse presentation, serve your longhorn parmesan chicken recipe immediately with your choice of sides.

Pro Tips for Perfect Garlic Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Achieving the Crispy Crust

• Oil Temperature: Maintain oil at 350°F for that perfect golden crust without burning
• Use Panko: Regular breadcrumbs won’t give you the same crispiness as Panko
• Don’t Crowd the Pan: Fry only 1-2 pieces at a time to maintain oil temperature
• Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting and browning in your longhorn parmesan chicken recipe

Keeping Chicken Juicy

• Even Thickness: Pounding to even thickness ensures the chicken cooks evenly
• Temperature Check: Use an instant-read thermometer to avoid overcooking
• Rest Before Cutting: Let the garlic parmesan crusted chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving

Perfecting the Sauce

• Room Temperature Ingredients: For the creamiest topping, let sour cream come to room temperature
• Texture Control: If the sauce seems too thick, add 1-2 teaspoons of milk to reach desired consistency
• Make Ahead: Prepare the sauce up to 24 hours in advance for enhanced flavor in your longhorn parmesan chicken recipe

What to Serve with Longhorn Parmesan Chicken

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

• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Steamed broccoli
• Grilled asparagus
• House salad with ranch dressing
• Warm dinner rolls

Alternative side options that complement this longhorn parmesan chicken recipe beautifully:

• Buttered egg noodles
• Roasted garlic Parmesan potatoes
• Creamy risotto
• Sautéed green beans with almonds

Storage and Reheating Instructions

While this longhorn parmesan chicken recipe is best enjoyed fresh, leftovers can be stored and reheated:

Storage: Place cooled garlic parmesan crusted chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Store the creamy topping separately.

Reheating for Maximum Crispiness:

• Oven: Preheat to 375°F, place chicken on a baking sheet, and heat for 10-15 minutes until warmed through
• Air Fryer: 350°F for 3-4 minutes until crispy and heated
• Avoid Microwave: While convenient, microwaving will make the crispy coating soggy

When ready to serve, warm the sauce slightly and spoon over the reheated chicken.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I bake this garlic parmesan crusted chicken instead of frying?

Yes! For a lighter version of the longhorn parmesan chicken recipe, bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Spray both sides with cooking spray before baking. The texture won’t be identical to the fried version, but it will still be delicious.

Can I use chicken thighs for this longhorn parmesan chicken recipe?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully for garlic parmesan crusted chicken. Pound them to even thickness and follow the same instructions. They may require slightly longer cooking time.

Is this garlic parmesan crusted chicken recipe gluten-free?

Not as written, but you can substitute gluten-free Panko breadcrumbs and gluten-free all-purpose flour. Also, verify your ranch dressing is gluten-free.

What kind of Parmesan is best for longhorn parmesan chicken?

Always use freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Parmesan from a block. Pre-grated cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent proper melting and browning. The quality of your cheese directly impacts the flavor of your garlic parmesan crusted chicken.

Longhorn Parmesan Chicken Recipe Card

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Garlic Parmesan Crust:

• 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Creamy Ranch Parmesan Topping:

• ¾ cup ranch dressing
• ¼ cup sour cream
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp onion powder
• Pinch of black pepper

Instructions

1. Pound chicken breasts to ½-inch thickness and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Prepare breading station: flour in first dish, beaten eggs in second, and Panko-Parmesan-garlic mixture in third.
3. Dredge chicken in flour, dip in egg, then coat thoroughly with garlic parmesan mixture.
4. Heat oil to 350°F in a large skillet. Fry chicken 4-5 minutes per side until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Combine all topping ingredients in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
6. Serve chicken with generous spooning of creamy topping.

Notes

• For maximum crispiness in this longhorn parmesan chicken recipe, use Panko breadcrumbs and freshly grated Parmesan.
• Maintain oil temperature at 350°F for perfect frying.
• Let garlic parmesan crusted chicken rest 5 minutes after breading before frying.

Nutrition Information (per serving): Calories: 625, Protein: 42g, Carbohydrates: 20g, Fat: 42g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Cholesterol: 205mg, Sodium: 1245mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g

Conclusion

This longhorn parmesan chicken recipe brings the signature flavors of Longhorn Steakhouse right to your dining table. With its crispy garlic parmesan crust, juicy chicken interior, and irresistible creamy ranch topping, this dish is bound to become a family favorite. The detailed techniques and quality ingredients make all the difference in recreating this restaurant classic.

Have you tried making this garlic parmesan crusted chicken at home? I’d love to see your results! Tag me on social media or leave a comment below with your experience. Did you make any delicious modifications to the longhorn parmesan chicken recipe? Share your tips with our community!

Happy cooking!