Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They're naturally more moist than breasts, but you'll still want to pound them to an even thickness. They may need slightly less cooking time, so check for doneness (165°F internal temperature) a bit earlier.

How can I bake this chicken instead of pan-searing?

For a hands-off approach, marinate the chicken as directed, then place on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for about 20-25 minutes until nearly done. Add the cheese and breadcrumb toppings, then broil as directed in the recipe to finish. This method works great when cooking for a crowd!

My breadcrumb topping is browning too quickly. What should I do?

If your topping is browning too fast, move the rack lower in the oven away from the broiler. You can also cover loosely with foil after the top has browned and continue cooking if the chicken needs more time to heat through completely.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

While the dairy components are key to this copycat recipe, you could experiment with dairy-free ranch dressing and dairy-free cheese alternatives. The texture and flavor will be different from the original Longhorn version, but still tasty in its own right.

Copycat Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe

This Copycat Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken is a restaurant-quality dish you can easily make at home! Tender, juicy chicken breasts marinated in a flavorful blend, then topped with a rich Parmesan-Provolone crust and crispy garlic breadcrumbs. It’s the perfect combination of crispy and creamy textures with savory flavors that will impress your family on even the busiest weeknights!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Restaurant Quality at Home: Create the famous Longhorn Steakhouse chicken right in your kitchen for a fraction of the cost.
Flavor Explosion: The combination of the tangy marinade, melty cheese blend, and crunchy garlic breadcrumb topping creates incredible depth of flavor in every bite.
Versatile: Perfect for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for guests. Pair it with simple sides for a complete meal that feels special.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Marinate the chicken overnight to save time on cooking day and develop even more flavor.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken Breasts: The star of the show! Pounding them to even thickness ensures they cook evenly and stay tender.
Olive Oil & Vegetable Oil: Olive oil forms the base of the marinade, while vegetable oil is perfect for searing the chicken to golden perfection.
Ranch Dressing: Used in both the marinade and cheese topping, it adds creaminess and tangy flavor that makes this dish special. You can use buttermilk ranch for extra tanginess.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds that umami depth and savory richness to the marinade that takes this chicken to the next level.
Vinegar & Lemon Juice: These acids help tenderize the chicken and brighten all the flavors.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic infuses the marinade with aromatic flavor. Don’t skimp here!
Parmesan & Provolone Cheese: The combination creates that signature Longhorn crust that’s gooey, savory, and utterly irresistible.
Panko Breadcrumbs: These Japanese-style breadcrumbs provide the perfect crispy texture to contrast with the creamy cheese layer.
Butter: Melted butter helps the breadcrumbs turn golden and crispy when broiled.
Garlic Powder: Infuses the breadcrumb topping with savory flavor that complements the cheesy layer.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Protein Swaps

Try using chicken thighs, pounded pork chops, or even turkey cutlets in place of chicken breasts. Just adjust cooking times accordingly.

Cheese Options

No provolone? Substitute mozzarella, monterey jack, or even fontina for a different flavor profile while maintaining that melty quality.

Breading Alternatives

For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free panko or crushed pork rinds in place of traditional breadcrumbs.

Marinade Shortcut

Short on time? Use Italian dressing as mentioned in the original recipe—it contains many of the same flavor components in one bottle!

How to Make Copycat Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Step 1: Prepare and Marinate the Chicken

Combine olive oil, ranch dressing, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, and pepper in a bowl, whisking until well blended. Place chicken breasts in a freezer bag and pound to about 1/2 inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper, then place in a clean bag with the marinade. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (overnight is even better for flavor development).

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated chicken breasts and sear for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Resist the urge to move them around—letting them sit creates that beautiful golden crust! Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean baking sheet and tent with foil to keep warm.

Step 3: Create the Parmesan Crust

Preheat your oven to a low broil (450°F). Mix together chopped Parmesan and Provolone cheeses with ranch dressing in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 15-second increments, stirring between each, until melted and combined. Spread this cheesy mixture evenly over each chicken breast.

Step 4: Add the Crispy Topping

In a separate bowl, combine melted butter, garlic powder, and panko breadcrumbs. Spoon this mixture on top of the cheese layer on each chicken breast, creating an even layer.

Step 5: Broil to Perfection

Place the chicken under the broiler for 3-4 minutes, watching carefully until the top turns golden brown and crispy. The cheese will be bubbly and the breadcrumbs toasted to perfection!

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Even Thickness: Don’t skip pounding the chicken. This ensures even cooking and maximum tenderness.
Proper Searing: Get your pan nice and hot before adding the chicken, then don’t touch it for at least 4 minutes. This creates the perfect golden sear.
Watch the Broiler: Broilers vary greatly in intensity, so keep a close eye on your chicken during the final broiling step to prevent burning.
Rest the Chicken: Let the finished dish rest for 2-3 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken.
Cheese Prep: Chop the cheeses into small bits rather than shredding them for the authentic Longhorn texture in the crust.

How to Serve

This Parmesan Crusted Chicken pairs beautifully with classic steakhouse sides for the full Longhorn experience:

Perfect Pairings:

Creamy mashed potatoes or garlic parmesan mashed potatoes
Steamed asparagus or green beans
A simple side salad with ranch dressing
Garlic bread or dinner rolls to soak up any extra cheese sauce

Presentation:

For a restaurant-style presentation, place the chicken on a warmed plate, add your sides, and garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives. A lemon wedge on the side adds a nice touch for those who want an extra squeeze of brightness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Prep Ahead

Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours in advance. You can also mix the cheese topping and store it covered in the refrigerator—just bring to room temperature before using.

Storing Leftovers

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The breadcrumb topping will soften somewhat but still tastes delicious.

Freezing

While you can freeze the cooked chicken, the topping won’t maintain its texture well. Better to freeze the marinated raw chicken and add the topping fresh after cooking.

Reheating

For best results, reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until warmed through. This helps maintain some crispness in the topping versus microwaving, which will make it soggy.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe. They’re naturally more moist than breasts, but you’ll still want to pound them to an even thickness. They may need slightly less cooking time, so check for doneness (165°F internal temperature) a bit earlier.
How can I bake this chicken instead of pan-searing?

For a hands-off approach, marinate the chicken as directed, then place on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for about 20-25 minutes until nearly done. Add the cheese and breadcrumb toppings, then broil as directed in the recipe to finish. This method works great when cooking for a crowd!
My breadcrumb topping is browning too quickly. What should I do?

If your topping is browning too fast, move the rack lower in the oven away from the broiler. You can also cover loosely with foil after the top has browned and continue cooking if the chicken needs more time to heat through completely.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

While the dairy components are key to this copycat recipe, you could experiment with dairy-free ranch dressing and dairy-free cheese alternatives. The texture and flavor will be different from the original Longhorn version, but still tasty in its own right.

Final Thoughts

This Copycat Longhorn Parmesan Crusted Chicken brings steakhouse luxury right to your dinner table with surprisingly little effort. The combination of juicy chicken, melty cheese blend, and crispy garlic breadcrumbs creates a dish that feels special but is totally doable on a weeknight. Give it a try—I’m confident it’ll become a regular request in your household!