Longhorn Style Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Posted on July 27, 2025

There’s something undeniably appealing about restaurant-quality dishes that you can recreate in your own kitchen. The Longhorn Style Parmesan Crusted Chicken is a prime example. This dish, known for its tender chicken breast, rich garlic-herb crust, and luscious Parmesan cheese topping, has become a beloved classic. It’s the kind of meal that feels indulgent and special, yet with the right approach, it’s surprisingly simple to prepare at home. This blog post will guide you through crafting this exquisite dish, ensuring every bite is as flavorful and satisfying as the original.

Why Recreate This Longhorn Classic at Home?

Beyond the sheer joy of replicating a restaurant favorite, there are several compelling reasons to make Longhorn Style Parmesan Crusted Chicken in your own kitchen. Firstly, it offers complete control over the ingredients. You can choose high-quality, fresh chicken, organic herbs, and your preferred brand of Parmesan cheese, ensuring a healthier and more flavorful outcome. Secondly, it’s significantly more cost-effective than dining out. Enjoying this gourmet meal at home allows you to save money without sacrificing taste or experience. Thirdly, the satisfaction of preparing such a delicious dish from scratch is immense. It’s a rewarding culinary experience that builds confidence in your cooking skills.

Moreover, this recipe is versatile. While it’s perfect for a special dinner, it’s also straightforward enough for a weeknight meal. You can adjust the seasonings to your liking, add different side dishes, and even prepare some components in advance to streamline the cooking process. The aroma that fills your kitchen as this chicken bakes is an added bonus, creating an inviting atmosphere that promises a truly memorable meal. It’s a dish that appeals to a wide range of palates, making it an excellent choice for family dinners or entertaining guests.

Gathering Your Ingredients: The Foundation of Flavor

Longhorn Style Parmesan Crusted Chicken ingredients

The success of any great dish begins with its ingredients. For this Longhorn Style Parmesan Crusted Chicken, quality matters. Here’s what you’ll need to create this culinary masterpiece:

For the Chicken:

4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Opt for evenly sized breasts to ensure uniform cooking. Pounding them to an even thickness (about ½ inch) is crucial for tenderness.
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken before applying the crust.
2 tablespoons Olive Oil: For searing the chicken, creating a golden-brown exterior.

For the Parmesan Crust:

½ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated is always best for superior flavor and melt.
¼ cup Mayonnaise: Acts as a binder for the crust, keeping it moist and flavorful.
2 cloves Garlic, Minced: Adds a pungent, aromatic kick.
1 tablespoon Fresh Parsley, Chopped: For freshness and a touch of color.
1 teaspoon Dried Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs that complements the chicken and cheese.
¼ teaspoon Onion Powder: Enhances the savory notes.
Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): For a subtle hint of heat.

Step-by-Step Preparation: Crafting Your Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Follow these detailed instructions to achieve a perfectly cooked, flavorful Longhorn Style Parmesan Crusted Chicken. Precision and attention to detail will ensure a restaurant-quality result.

Prepare the Chicken: Place each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or a heavy rolling pin, pound the chicken to an even ½-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking and tender results. Season both sides of the pounded chicken breasts generously with salt and black pepper.
Sear the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet (cast iron works wonderfully) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. This step creates a delicious crust and locks in juices. Do not cook through completely, as it will finish baking in the oven.
Prepare the Parmesan Crust: While the chicken is searing, in a small bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, dried Italian seasoning, onion powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and form a thick paste.
Apply the Crust: Once the chicken is seared, remove the skillet from the heat. Evenly spread a generous layer of the Parmesan crust mixture over the top of each seared chicken breast. Ensure the entire top surface is covered for maximum flavor and an even melt.
Bake to Perfection: Transfer the skillet with the crusted chicken to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C) and the Parmesan crust is golden brown and bubbly. The exact baking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken breasts and your oven.
Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the skillet from the oven. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, ensuring it remains moist and tender. Garnish with extra fresh parsley, if desired.

Tips for Success and Delicious Variations

To elevate your Longhorn Style Parmesan Crusted Chicken and ensure consistent success, consider these expert tips and exciting variations:

Pounding the Chicken: Don’t skip this step! Pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures that it cooks uniformly and remains tender. Unevenly thick chicken can result in dry spots.
Quality Parmesan: Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melt. Pre-grated cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the texture of the crust.
Don’t Overcook: Chicken breasts can dry out quickly. Use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and remove them from the oven immediately.
Skillet Choice: An oven-safe skillet, especially cast iron, is ideal for this recipe as it allows you to sear and bake in the same pan, minimizing cleanup.
Add a Lemon Zest: For a brighter flavor, add a teaspoon of fresh lemon zest to the Parmesan crust mixture.
Spicy Kick: Increase the red pepper flakes in the crust for a more pronounced heat.
Herb Variations: Experiment with other fresh herbs like chives or basil in the crust for different aromatic profiles.
Creamy Sauce: Serve the chicken with a simple lemon-butter sauce or a light cream sauce to complement the rich crust.
Side Dish Pairings: This chicken pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, steamed green beans, or a fresh garden salad.

Nutritional Information (Approximate per serving)

While this dish is a flavorful indulgence, here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving (values can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes):

Calories: 450-600 kcal
Protein: 40-50g
Fat: 30-45g
Carbohydrates: 5-10g

These values are estimates. You can adjust them by choosing leaner chicken cuts, reducing the amount of mayonnaise in the crust, or opting for lower-fat cheese.

Conclusion: Your Home, Your Longhorn Experience

Recreating the Longhorn Style Parmesan Crusted Chicken at home is a rewarding experience that brings gourmet flavors to your dining table. With its tender chicken, savory crust, and rich Parmesan topping, this dish is sure to impress. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with careful preparation, can yield extraordinary results. So, gather your ingredients, follow these steps, and prepare to savor a restaurant-quality meal that you’ve proudly made yourself. Enjoy the process, and most importantly, enjoy the delicious outcome!

Alina