Applebee’s Lemon Chicken
Crispy Applebee’s lemon chicken recipe made with hand-breaded chicken breasts and topped with a creamy lemon garlic parmesan sauce, an easy copycat dinner that’s full of flavor and perfect for weeknights.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts butterflied
- 1 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
Sauce
- 8 tbsp butter 1 stick
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups parmesan
Instructions
Season and Prepare the Chicken
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel (this helps the breading stick better).
- Set Up Your Breading Station, one with flour, one with beaten eggs, one with breadcrumbs mixed with grated parmesan, garlic powder, salt & pepper.
- Working one piece at a time, dredge the chicken in the flour, coating all sides and shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the egg mixture, letting any extra drip off. Finally, press it firmly into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring a thick, even coating for that crispy texture.
- In a large skillet, heat a generous layer of olive oil over medium to medium-high heat. The oil should be hot but not smoking—test it by dropping in a few breadcrumbs; they should sizzle immediately.
- Carefully place the breaded chicken into the hot oil. Cook for about 4–5 minutes on the first side without moving it—this helps develop that deep golden crust. Flip and cook another 4–5 minutes on the other side until both sides are crispy and beautifully browned.
- The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels or a wire rack to rest.
Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce
- Heat small pot to medium and add the butter, let it melt completely. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant—be careful not to burn it.
- Pour in theheavy cream and fresh lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan (this adds so much flavor). Let the mixture gently simmer for about 6 minutes to slightly reduce, thicken and concentrate the flavors.
- Lower the heat and stir in the grated parmesan cheese, whisking continuously until the sauce becomes smooth, creamy, and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
Assemble and Serve
- Place the crispy chicken on serving plates and generously spoon the warm lemon garlic parmesan sauce over the top. Serve immediately, and enjoy!