Description
Longhorn parmesan crusted chicken delivers a restaurant-quality experience right in home kitchens, blending creamy parmesan coating with perfectly seasoned chicken. Crispy exterior and juicy interior make this dish a delightful centerpiece you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680 g)
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Cheese and Coating:
- ½ cup (60 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (60 g) shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup (60 g) ranch dressing
- ¼ cup (60 g) mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Initiate oven warming to a precise 400F (200C), creating an ideal culinary environment for the chicken transformation.
- Massage chicken breasts with olive oil, then lavishly dust with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring comprehensive flavor infusion.
- Execute chicken cooking through either searing technique: grill or pan-sear at medium-high temperature for approximately 5-6 minutes per side until internal temperature achieves a safe 165F (74C), alternatively bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes.
- Craft a creamy ranch enhancement by blending ranch dressing with finely shredded Parmesan, creating a luxurious coating mixture.
- Construct the crunchy crust by amalgamating grated Parmesan, panko bread crumbs, melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning until achieving a delicate, crumbly texture.
- Position perfectly cooked chicken breasts on baking sheet, generously spreading the ranch mixture across each piece.
- Layer provolone cheese atop the ranch spread, creating a melty foundation for the upcoming crispy topping.
- Distribute the prepared Parmesan crust evenly over provolone, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Activate broiler, positioning chicken underneath for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and crust transforms into a golden, crispy masterpiece.
- Allow chicken to rest momentarily, permitting flavors to harmonize before serving alongside complementary side dishes like creamy mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or a vibrant garden salad.
Notes
- Choose chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry edges.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help spices adhere better and create a crispy exterior.
- Pound chicken breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness for consistent cooking and tender results.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature and avoid overcooking chicken.
- Substitute panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
- Low-fat alternatives work well: use Greek yogurt instead of ranch, reduced-fat cheeses, and olive oil spray.
- Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can enhance the Parmesan crust’s flavor profile.
- Allow chicken to rest after broiling to help juices redistribute, keeping meat moist and tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 920 mg
- Fat: 39 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg