Longhorn-Style Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce
A restaurant classic you can master at home!
There’s something magical about the combination of crispy, golden chicken and a rich, garlicky cream sauce. This Longhorn-Style Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce takes inspiration from the famous steakhouse favorite but makes it easy enough to whip up in your own kitchen. The result? A dish that’s indulgent, flavorful, and sure to impress anyone at your dinner table.
This recipe is all about layers of flavor and texture — juicy chicken that’s marinated in buttermilk, coated in a crispy Parmesan-panko crust, topped with a blend of melted cheeses, and finally finished with a smooth, buttery garlic cream sauce. It’s the kind of meal that tastes like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen, yet it comes together in under an hour.
🍗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Restaurant-quality taste at home: With just a few pantry staples and some good cheese, you can recreate a Longhorn Steakhouse favorite right in your own kitchen.
- Rich and creamy sauce: The homemade garlic cream sauce adds a luscious, silky finish that pairs perfectly with the crispy crust.
- Versatile and crowd-pleasing: Serve it with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or even pasta — it’s always a hit.
🧄 The Secret to Perfect Parmesan Crusted Chicken
The secret lies in three key steps: marinating, crisping, and topping.
- Marinate for tenderness: Soaking the chicken in buttermilk (or milk with lemon juice) helps break down the proteins, ensuring a juicy interior.
- Get the perfect crunch: A mix of panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese creates a golden, crispy crust that stays crunchy even after topping with sauce.
- Layer the flavor: Melted mozzarella and Parmesan on top add gooey richness that perfectly balances the tangy, herbed crust.
🧾 Recipe
Longhorn-Style Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce
This Longhorn-Style Parmesan Crusted Chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and finished with a velvety garlic cream sauce that makes every bite pure comfort. It’s a restaurant-worthy dinner made easy at home!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp lemon juice)
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (panko preferred for crunch)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil + 2 tbsp butter (for pan frying)
- 3 tbsp butter (for garlic cream sauce)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp flour
- 2 cups heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (for sauce)
- 1 tsp Italian herbs
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan (for topping)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. Soak them in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for extra tenderness. In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Coat each marinated chicken breast in the breadcrumb mixture until fully covered.
- Cook the chicken: Warm olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Pan fry the coated chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to a baking sheet and top each piece with mozzarella and Parmesan. Broil for 2–3 minutes, just until the cheese melts and the crust turns golden.
- Make the garlic cream sauce: In a saucepan, melt butter and sauté the minced garlic until aromatic. Whisk in the flour to form a roux and cook for about a minute. Slowly pour in the cream and chicken broth, whisking constantly. Stir in Parmesan and Italian herbs, then simmer until the sauce thickens. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Plate the chicken and generously spoon the creamy garlic sauce over the top. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
🍽️ Serving Ideas
This dish is rich and full of flavor, so pair it with something that balances the creaminess. Try serving it with:
- Mashed potatoes or garlic butter noodles to soak up that sauce.
- Steamed green beans or roasted asparagus for a light side.
- A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness.
You can even slice the chicken and serve it over pasta for a restaurant-style Parmesan Crusted Chicken Alfredo twist!
👨🍳 Chef’s Tips
- For extra flavor, add a squeeze of fresh lemon over the chicken before serving.
- Want to make it lighter? Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and bake instead of pan-frying.
- To save time, prepare the sauce while the chicken is frying — they’ll finish around the same time.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This Longhorn-Style Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Garlic Cream Sauce is everything you want in a comforting dinner — crispy, creamy, cheesy, and absolutely satisfying. It’s a dish that feels indulgent but is simple enough for a weeknight meal. The moment that golden crust meets the creamy sauce, you’ll understand why this restaurant favorite is so beloved.
Bring the flavor of Longhorn Steakhouse to your kitchen tonight, and watch it disappear from the plates before you can even set down the pan!
