Easy Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Name: Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 4 Boneless skinless chicken breasts (- About 6-8 oz each); 1 cup Parmesan cheese (- Freshly grated, plus extra for garnish); 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup Regular breadcrumbs; 2 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 tsp Garlic powder; 1/2 tsp Onion powder; 1/2 tsp Paprika; 1/4 tsp Black pepper; 1/2 tsp Salt; 2 Eggs; 2 tbsp Milk; 3 tbsp Olive oil (- Or cooking spray for air fryer); 1 tbsp Fresh parsley (- Chopped, for garnish); 4 tbsp Mayonnaise (- About 1 tbsp per chicken breast)

Are you looking for a dinner option that's both impressive and easy to make? This parmesan crusted chicken recipe delivers restaurant-quality flavor with minimal effort. Inspired by the famous Longhorn Steakhouse version, this crispy, juicy chicken will become your new favorite weeknight meal. Whether you're using a traditional oven or an air fryer, this parmesan crusted chicken turns out perfect every time.

As a home cook who's spent years perfecting this recipe, I'm thrilled to share my version that many friends swear is even better than the Longhorn parmesan crusted chicken original. The best part? You can make it in your oven OR air fryer!

Close-up of golden-brown, homemade parmesan crusted chicken sliced neatly on a white plate, with a crispy, buttery crust and sprinkled with fresh parsley. Juicy chicken breast slices reveal tender, moist meat, surrounded by melted parmesan and toasted breadcrumbs, alongside fresh tomato wedges and lemon slices in the softly blurred background.

Why You'll Love This Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Let me tell you why this parmesan crusted chicken has become my family's most-requested dinner (and why my neighbor literally texted me at midnight for the recipe after trying it):

It's ridiculously easy - even my cooking-challenged brother nailed this easy parmesan crusted chicken on his first try
The secret mayo trick creates the juiciest chicken you've ever tasted (trust me, parmesan crusted chicken with mayo changed my life!)
That CRUNCH factor! It's like the perfect baked parmesan crusted chicken and fried chicken had a delicious baby
It's endlessly customizable - turn it into parmesan crusted chicken pasta night or keep it low-carb with veggies
The air fryer parmesan crusted chicken version cuts the cooking time in half (hello, busy weeknights!)
Leftovers actually stay crispy when reheated (if they last that long)
It's fancy enough for company but simple enough for Monday night

I created this recipe after my third disappointing attempt at recreating Longhorn's parmesan crusted chicken. Their version is amazing, but my homemade recipe finally cracked the code for that perfect restaurant quality texture without the restaurant price!

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Ingredients
How to Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Substitutions
Variations
Equipment For Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Storage
What to Serve With Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Top Tip
Grandmama's Magic Touch
FAQ
Time to Enjoy Your Homemade Parmesan Crusted Chicken!
Related
Pairing
Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Ingredients

For this parmesan crusted chicken recipe, you'll need:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6-8 oz each)
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
½ cup panko breadcrumbs
¼ cup regular breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons olive oil (for traditional method) or cooking spray (for air fryer method)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

See recipe card for quantities.

Overhead shot of raw boneless chicken breasts placed on parchment paper, surrounded by small bowls of ingredients for parmesan crusted chicken. Freshly grated parmesan cheese is piled in two clusters, alongside mayo, panko breadcrumbs, spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.

How to Make Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Prep the Chicken (5 minutes)

Pound chicken breasts to an even ¾-inch thickness between plastic wrap.
Pat chicken dry with paper towels (crucial for the coating to stick!).
Preheat your oven to 425°F for baked parmesan crusted chicken OR air fryer to 375°F.

Create the Crispy Coating (5 minutes)

Mix Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and all seasonings in a shallow dish.
Spread mayo evenly on both sides of each chicken breast. This parmesan crusted chicken with mayo technique is the secret to moisture!
Press chicken firmly into the Parmesan mixture, coating both sides generously.
Rest coated chicken for 5 minutes to help the coating adhere (pro restaurant trick).

Oven Method: Better-Than-Longhorn Results (25 minutes)

Line a baking sheet with parchment and lightly oil it.
Arrange coated chicken pieces with space between them.
Drizzle tops with a little olive oil for that crispy parmesan chicken recipe finish.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Broil for the last 2 minutes to get that signature golden longhorn parmesan crusted chicken crust.

Air Fryer Method: Quick & Crispy (15 minutes)

Spray your air fryer basket lightly with oil.
Place chicken in the basket without overcrowding (cook in batches if needed).
Spritz the tops with cooking spray for that golden air fryer parmesan crusted chicken finish.
Cook at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Check that internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.

High-quality, vibrant image of crispy Parmesan-crusted chicken breasts cooking in an air fryer basket.

For That Restaurant-Quality Finish

Want that perfect parmesan crusted chicken restaurant presentation? Here's my secret:

Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving (keeps all those juices inside!).
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and an extra dusting of freshly grated Parmesan.
Serve with a lemon wedge on the side – the brightness cuts through the richness perfectly.

Substitutions

Gluten-Free: Replace panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed Rice Chex
Keto/Low-Carb: Use crushed pork rinds or almond flour instead of breadcrumbs
Dairy-Free: Try nutritional yeast mixed with a bit of salt (not quite the same, but works in a pinch)
Egg-Free: The recipe already uses mayo instead of eggs, making it naturally egg-allergy friendly

Variations

Spicy: Add ¼ teaspoon cayenne to the coating mixture
Herb-Forward: Mix 2 tablespoons fresh chopped herbs (parsley, basil, chives) into the coating
Lemon Pepper: Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest to the coating for brightness
Extra Garlic: Double the garlic powder or add 2 cloves of fresh minced garlic to the mayo

Equipment For Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Meat mallet (or heavy pan)
Paper towels
Shallow dishes for coating
Baking sheet with parchment paper OR air fryer
Instant-read thermometer (optional but recommended)

Storage

How to Store Leftover Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Refrigerator Storage:

Cool completely before storing (about 30 minutes)
Place in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper
Refrigerate for up to 3 days

Freezer Storage:

Cool completely then flash-freeze on a baking sheet for 1 hour
Transfer to freezer bags or containers, separating pieces with parchment
Label with the date (includes when you froze it, not when you cooked it!)
Freeze for up to 2 months

What to Serve With Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Transform your parmesan crusted chicken from a simple protein to a complete meal with these perfect pairings:

Side Dishes

For Classic Comfort:

Creamy mashed potatoes with a touch of garlic
Roasted asparagus with lemon and parmesan
[Garlic butter pasta] – the ultimate simple side that's ready in 10 minutes

For Lighter Options:

[Mediterranean quinoa salad] that complements the cheesy chicken perfectly
Lemon-dressed arugula with shaved parmesan
[Roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze] for a veggie-forward option

For Longhorn Steakhouse Vibes:

[Copycat Longhorn wild rice pilaf] to complete your longhorn parmesan crusted chicken experience
Steamed broccoli with garlic butter (just like the restaurant serves)
[Steakhouse-style creamed spinach] for ultimate indulgence

Top Tip

For the absolute best Longhorn parmesan crusted chicken replica, add a small pat of butter (about ½ tablespoon) on top of each chicken breast during the last 3 minutes of baking. This restaurant secret melts into the breadcrumb coating, creating that signature rich flavor and giving the crust an irresistible golden-brown color. If you really want to nail the authentic Longhorn experience, sprinkle an additional tablespoon of freshly grated parmesan over each piece just before adding the butter. The heat will melt it perfectly into the crust, creating those crispy, cheesy edges that make the restaurant version so popular.

Grandmama's Magic Touch

My grandmother never made parmesan crusted chicken – she was strictly a Southern cook who rarely ventured into Italian flavors. But her magic touch with breaded chicken changed everything when I created this recipe.

"Always let your coating rest before cooking," she'd say, patting the baked parmesan crusted chicken pieces I was experimenting with. "Five minutes gives the coating time to marry with the meat." She'd then sprinkle a pinch of extra salt and parmesan on top just before baking, creating that perfect crispy parmesan chicken recipe texture that rivals any Longhorn parmesan crusted chicken you've tried.

Her other secret? Adding a tiny splash of hot sauce to the mayo – not enough to taste, but enough to enhance the flavors. When developing my air fryer parmesan crusted chicken version, this trick made all the difference.

FAQ

How do you get breading to stick to chicken Parmesan?

The secret to perfect breading adhesion for parmesan crusted chicken is a three-step process: 1) Pat the chicken completely dry with paper towels, 2) Use mayo instead of eggs as your binding agent (it sticks better!), and 3) Press the coating firmly onto the chicken and let it rest for 5 minutes before cooking. This "setting time" is crucial for that restaurant-quality crust.

What is parmesan crusted chicken made of?

Parmesan crusted chicken is made of boneless chicken breasts coated with a mixture of grated Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. This recipe uses mayonnaise as the binding agent instead of the traditional egg wash, creating a moister, more flavorful result that closely mimics the Longhorn parmesan crusted chicken experience.

What are the three ingredients in parmesan chicken?

At its most basic, parmesan crusted chicken requires just three essential ingredients: chicken breasts, Parmesan cheese, and a binding agent (traditionally eggs, but mayo works even better). This recipe enhances the flavor with breadcrumbs and seasonings, but the core trio creates the foundation for this delicious dish.

What kind of sauce goes on chicken parm?

While traditional chicken parm uses marinara sauce, parmesan crusted chicken with sauce is versatile. Popular options include: classic marinara, lemon butter sauce, creamy garlic parmesan sauce, or pesto. For an authentic Longhorn parmesan crusted chicken experience, serve with both marinara and ranch on the side.

Time to Enjoy Your Homemade Parmesan Crusted Chicken!

You're now ready to serve up a restaurant-worthy meal that rivals Longhorn's parmesan crusted chicken but from the comfort of your own kitchen! This crispy, cheesy chicken pairs beautifully with our Crab Cake Benedict or Chicken Parm Pizza . For a complete Longhorn-inspired feast, start with our Chicken Rollatini Recipe .

Did you try this parmesan crusted chicken recipe? Take a photo and tag us on social media—we'd love to see your creation! Leave a comment below sharing your experience or any tweaks you made to make it your own. Your feedback helps other home cooks succeed!

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Why You'll Love This Parmesan Crusted Chicken

Ingredients