Name: Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Chicken
Ingredients: Chicken Breasts: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6-8 ounces each. These are the star of the show, providing a lean and protein-packed base for our parmesan crust. Opt for breasts of similar size for even cooking.; Parmesan Cheese: 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, preferably freshly grated. Freshly grated Parmesan offers a superior flavor and melts beautifully into the crust, providing that signature nutty, salty taste. Pre-shredded can be used in a pinch, but fresh is highly recommended for the best results.; Italian Breadcrumbs: 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs. These provide the perfect texture and structure for the parmesan crust, creating that satisfying crunch we all crave. Italian breadcrumbs are already seasoned, adding another layer of flavor.; All-Purpose Flour: ½ cup all-purpose flour. The flour acts as a binder, helping the egg mixture adhere to the chicken and subsequently allowing the parmesan crust to stick properly. It also contributes to a slightly crispier exterior.; Large Eggs: 2 large eggs. Eggs are crucial for the breading process. They create a wet coating that allows the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese to adhere to the chicken, ensuring a cohesive and flavorful crust.; Milk: ¼ cup milk. Milk thins out the eggs slightly, creating a lighter egg wash that coats the chicken evenly without being too heavy. It also adds a touch of richness.; Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Garlic powder enhances the savory flavor profile of the parmesan crust, adding a subtle but essential aromatic element.; Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon onion powder. Similar to garlic powder, onion powder contributes to the overall savory depth of the crust, complementing the parmesan and Italian seasoning.; Dried Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning. This blend of herbs adds a classic Italian flavor to the dish, rounding out the parmesan crust with aromatic notes of oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme.; Salt: 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste. Salt is essential for seasoning both the chicken and the breading, enhancing all the flavors and ensuring the dish is well-balanced.; Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste. Black pepper adds a subtle spice and depth of flavor, complementing the salt and other seasonings. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferred for its brighter flavor.; Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons olive oil. Olive oil is used for cooking the chicken, providing a healthy fat and contributing to a golden-brown and crispy crust. Its mild flavor allows the parmesan and chicken to shine.; Butter: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Adding butter to the olive oil enhances the flavor and richness of the cooking process, contributing to a more flavorful and beautifully browned chicken. Butter also helps with browning and crisping.; Lemon Wedges: For serving (optional). Lemon wedges are a classic accompaniment to parmesan chicken. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the dish and cuts through the richness of the parmesan, adding a refreshing element.; Fresh Parsley: Chopped, for garnish (optional). Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note to the finished dish, making it visually appealing and adding a touch of freshness.

Ingredients

Chicken Breasts: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6-8 ounces each. These are the star of the show, providing a lean and protein-packed base for our parmesan crust. Opt for breasts of similar size for even cooking.
Parmesan Cheese: 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, preferably freshly grated. Freshly grated Parmesan offers a superior flavor and melts beautifully into the crust, providing that signature nutty, salty taste. Pre-shredded can be used in a pinch, but fresh is highly recommended for the best results.
Italian Breadcrumbs: 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs. These provide the perfect texture and structure for the parmesan crust, creating that satisfying crunch we all crave. Italian breadcrumbs are already seasoned, adding another layer of flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: ½ cup all-purpose flour. The flour acts as a binder, helping the egg mixture adhere to the chicken and subsequently allowing the parmesan crust to stick properly. It also contributes to a slightly crispier exterior.
Large Eggs: 2 large eggs. Eggs are crucial for the breading process. They create a wet coating that allows the breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese to adhere to the chicken, ensuring a cohesive and flavorful crust.
Milk: ¼ cup milk. Milk thins out the eggs slightly, creating a lighter egg wash that coats the chicken evenly without being too heavy. It also adds a touch of richness.
Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon garlic powder. Garlic powder enhances the savory flavor profile of the parmesan crust, adding a subtle but essential aromatic element.
Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon onion powder. Similar to garlic powder, onion powder contributes to the overall savory depth of the crust, complementing the parmesan and Italian seasoning.
Dried Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning. This blend of herbs adds a classic Italian flavor to the dish, rounding out the parmesan crust with aromatic notes of oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme.
Salt: 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste. Salt is essential for seasoning both the chicken and the breading, enhancing all the flavors and ensuring the dish is well-balanced.
Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste. Black pepper adds a subtle spice and depth of flavor, complementing the salt and other seasonings. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferred for its brighter flavor.
Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons olive oil. Olive oil is used for cooking the chicken, providing a healthy fat and contributing to a golden-brown and crispy crust. Its mild flavor allows the parmesan and chicken to shine.
Butter: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter. Adding butter to the olive oil enhances the flavor and richness of the cooking process, contributing to a more flavorful and beautifully browned chicken. Butter also helps with browning and crisping.
Lemon Wedges: For serving (optional). Lemon wedges are a classic accompaniment to parmesan chicken. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the dish and cuts through the richness of the parmesan, adding a refreshing element.
Fresh Parsley: Chopped, for garnish (optional). Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbaceous note to the finished dish, making it visually appealing and adding a touch of freshness.

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken Breasts: Begin by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This step is crucial as it removes excess moisture, allowing the breading to adhere better and resulting in a crispier crust. If your chicken breasts are particularly thick (over 1 inch), consider butterflying them or pounding them to an even thickness of about ½ inch. This ensures even cooking and prevents the outside from becoming overcooked before the inside is done. You can place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
Set Up the Breading Stations: Prepare three shallow dishes for the breading process. In the first dish, place the all-purpose flour. Season the flour with a pinch of salt and pepper for added flavor. In the second dish, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined. This egg wash will help the breadcrumbs and parmesan adhere to the chicken. In the third dish, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, Italian breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavors throughout the parmesan crust.
Bread the Chicken: Now, it’s time to bread the chicken breasts. Take one chicken breast at a time and dredge it in the flour, ensuring it is completely coated on all sides. Shake off any excess flour. Next, dip the floured chicken breast into the egg mixture, allowing any excess egg wash to drip off. Finally, dredge the chicken breast in the parmesan breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the mixture adheres well to all sides. Make sure the chicken is fully coated with the parmesan mixture for maximum flavor and crust. Repeat this breading process for all the chicken breasts.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Skillet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This temperature ensures the chicken cooks through while the parmesan crust becomes golden brown and crispy. While the oven is preheating, place a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron or stainless steel works best) over medium-high heat on your stovetop. Add the olive oil and butter to the skillet and let the butter melt completely and the mixture become hot. The combination of olive oil and butter provides both flavor and a higher smoke point, preventing the butter from burning too quickly.
Sear the Chicken: Once the oil and butter mixture is hot and shimmering, carefully place the breaded chicken breasts in the hot skillet. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan; you may need to cook in batches if your skillet is not large enough. Sear the chicken breasts for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Searing the chicken in the skillet before baking helps to create a beautiful golden-brown crust and lock in the juices, resulting in a more flavorful and tender chicken.
Bake in the Oven: After searing both sides of the chicken, transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the chicken breast to ensure it is fully cooked and safe to eat. The parmesan crust should be beautifully golden brown and crispy.
Rest and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked through, carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Let the chicken rest in the skillet for 5-10 minutes before serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the chicken, resulting in a more tender and flavorful final product. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing over the chicken. Enjoy your homemade Longhorn Steakhouse Parmesan Chicken!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 650
Protein: 55 grams