Chicken Bryan is a delicious Italian chicken dish that has become famous thanks to the restaurant chain Carrabba’s. This pan-seared chicken breast topped with a lemon garlic sauce sun-dried tomatoes basil, and goat cheese has people flocking to Carrabba’s to get a taste. But what exactly is Chicken Bryan and how did it become so popular?
The Origins of Chicken Bryan
While the exact origins of Chicken Bryan are unknown, it’s believed that the dish was created by Carrabba’s Italian Grill. Carrabba’s is a nationwide chain of Italian restaurants started by Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola in Houston, Texas in 1986.
Chicken Bryan first appeared on their menu in the 1990s and quickly became one of their most popular dishes. Its flavorful combination of flavors and textures made it a stand-out menu item. The restaurant likely named the dish after a friend or family member named Bryan, but the specifics are a mystery.
Even though Carrabba’s didn’t invent chicken seasoned with lemon, garlic, and herbs, they managed to create a proprietary recipe that people couldn’t get enough of The chain has over 250 locations across America today, and you can find Chicken Bryan on the menu at every single one.
How Chicken Bryan is Made
While the exact Carrabba’s Chicken Bryan recipe is a secret, it’s possible to recreate a tasty version at home. The ingredients are relatively simple, but it’s the technique of properly cooking the chicken and making the lemon garlic sauce that elevates this dish.
Here are the key steps to making chicken bryan:
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Pound and season chicken breast – Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound the chicken breast to an even thickness of around 1⁄2 inch. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs.
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Pan sear the chicken – Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
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Make the sauce – In the same pan, melt butter and cook minced garlic briefly. Then add chicken stock, lemon juice, chopped basil, and seasonings. Let the sauce reduce down slightly.
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Simmer the chicken in the sauce – Add the seared chicken back to the pan and let it simmer in the lemony garlic sauce for 2-3 minutes, spooning the sauce over the top.
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Finish with toppings – Place the chicken on a plate or pasta dish. Top with sun-dried tomatoes, sliced goat cheese, and chopped basil.
The magic of this dish lies in the garlic lemon butter sauce. When it coats the chicken and mingles with the basil, tomato, and goat cheese, you get an explosion of Italian flavors in every bite. It’s tangy, savory, and ultra-satisfying.
What Makes Chicken Bryan So Popular
There are several reasons why Chicken Bryan has reached such popularity on Carrabba’s menu:
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Universal appeal – With its blend of Italian flavors, Chicken Bryan is a crowd-pleaser that appeals to many palates. Both kids and adults enjoy it.
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Unique flavor combinations – The mix of ingredients is original and gives this chicken dish a signature taste not found elsewhere. The tart lemon, woodsy basil, creamy cheese, and umami tomatoes is hard to replicate.
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** Juicy and tender chicken** – When properly cooked, the chicken comes out perfectly moist and tender, enhancing the flavors of the sauce and toppings. No dry chicken here!
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Endless serving possibilities – Chicken Bryan tastes amazing on top of pasta or risotto, next to garlicky mashed potatoes, or over fresh greens for a satisfying meal.
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Addicting flavor – Once people try Chicken Bryan, they crave that tangy and sweet garlic sauce. It’s hard not to want to order it again and again.
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Celebrity status – As it gained fame, Chicken Bryan took on an almost mythical, celebrity status. People felt they had to try it to see what all the hype was about.
How to Make Chicken Bryan at Home
You can absolutely recreate this famous Carrabba’s dish in your own kitchen. Here is an outline of the steps:
- Pound 4 thin chicken breast cutlets
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian herb blend
- Pan sear chicken in olive oil for 4-5 minutes per side
- Make lemon garlic sauce: melt butter, cook minced garlic, add chicken stock, lemon juice, basil
- Simmer chicken in sauce for 2-3 minutes
- Plate chicken and top with sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, and basil
- Enjoy immediately with sides like pasta or mashed potatoes
The keys are using high-quality ingredients, properly searing the chicken, and letting the sauce reduce to intensify the flavors. With practice, you can come extremely close to the Carrabba’s version.
Some tips for best results:
- Use fresh, boneless chicken breasts pounded thin
- Allow chicken to marinate for added flavor
- Cook garlic briefly so it doesn’t burn
- Use both lemon zest and juice
- Simmer the chicken in the sauce only briefly
- Use high-quality creamy goat cheese
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves
Making this at home lets you enjoy this Italian favorite any night of the week. Just don’t forget to serve it with crusty bread for dipping in that incredible sauce!
Why Chicken Bryan is a Must-Try Dish
Chicken Bryan offers a taste sensation that keeps people coming back for more. With its savory and bright flavors, juicy texture, and easy customization, it’s no wonder Carrabba’s has a best-seller on their hands.
While many Italian chicken dishes exist, Chicken Bryan stands out for its unique blend of ingredients that create a flavor profile all its own. The combination of seasoned chicken, zesty lemon garlic sauce, herbaceous basil, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy goat cheese is sheer genius.
This is a chicken dish that satisfies all the senses. The aromas from the garlic, basil and lemon will make your mouth water. The textures from the tender chicken, smooth sauce, cheese, and tomatoes entice you to take another bite. And the bright, savory flavors dance on your palate. It’s an all-around delight.
Chicken Bryan manages to strike the perfect balance between comforting, crave-worthy and elegant. You feel like you’re dining at a fine Italian restaurant, but it’s still accessible and family-friendly. Kids and adults alike will clean their plates.
If you haven’t experienced Chicken Bryan yet, it’s time to remedy that. Look for it next time you dine at Carrabba’s Italian Grill, or try making it at home for a taste of their famous garlic lemon chicken. Just one bite and you’ll understand why this dish has earned its popularity and staying power on menus nationwide. It’s Italian comfort food at its finest.
Why This Copycat Carrabba’s Recipe Works
- Easy – When it comes to easy chicken recipes, this sun dried smothered chicken needs to be at the top of the list. No crazy ingredients or techniques needed to deliver this amazing plate of food. Just make an easy garlic lemon sauce for your pan grilled chicken and pile on the rest of the ingredients on top.. Done!
- Flavor – Tender, juicy perfectly seasoned chicken smothered in a lemon basil butter sauce then covered with creamy goat cheese, fresh basil and sun dried tomatoes. Heart, bursting with robust flavor and perfect to serve over pasta, mashed veggies or just on it’s own.
- Home – The best of this Chicken Bryan recipe for me is that I can make it any time I want in the comfort of my own home.. often wearing yoga pants and a messy bun but you get my drift. Learning how to make this authentic copycat of Carrabba’s chicken in your own kitchen is a game changer!
Making Chicken Bryan at Home
Marinade Chicken – I prefer to use thin chicken breasts for this recipe so I will take a thicker chicken breast and slice the chicken in half lengthwise so i have two thinner chicken cutlets. Add olive oil, Italian seasoning, lemon juice and chicken to a large zip-top bag, push out the excess air, seal and move the ingredients around until your chicken is completely coated in the lemon marinade. Move to a large bowl and move bowl to the refrigerator for at least 30 minute all the way up to 1 whole day.
Pan Grill Chicken – When you are ready, remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with a paper towel. Season with a light dusting of salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Add olive oil to a large skillet over Medium High heat and when oil has heated, add your chicken breasts. Cook for 4-5 minutes each side until golden brown and chicken is no longer pink. Your chicken cutlets needs to reach a temperature of at least 165 degrees. Once cooked, remove from the pan and set aside.
Garlic Lemon Sauce – Wipe out your skillet with a paper towel and start making your lemon basil sauce by reducing the heat to Medium Low before adding butter and garlic to the pan. Cook garlic for about a minute and then add the lemon juice, sun dried tomato oil and basil and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Simmering Chicken – Add in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Stir and cook for another minute. Add your chicken breasts to the lemon basil sauce and let simmer for a minute or two.
Topping Chicken Bryan – I like to serve my Chicken Bryan over a big plate of fettuccini pasta… but you do you. I add my chicken breast to my pasta, spoon on some extra garlic lemon sauce and then top with a generous slice of goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes and a sprinkling of fresh basil. Serve immediately and ENJOY!
- Marinade: I am pretty sure Carrabba’s doesn’t marinate their chicken like this but I love the extra lemon flavor that it provides.
- Chicken: I prefer to use thin chicken breasts for this recipe so I will take a thicker chicken breast and slice the chicken in half lengthwise so i have two thinner chicken cutlets.
- Grilled: If you prefer, you can cook your chicken using an outdoor grill for super juicy chicken breasts. Just be sure to grill your chicken for about 5 minutes each side and reach your safe temperature of 165 degrees.
- Serving: If you prefer, serve this copycat Chicken Bryan recipe up on a beg of mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower, roasted vegetables or parmesan rice. There are no wrong answers.
- Storage – Store any leftover Chicken Bryan in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating – Butter sauces will break when cooling so when you reheat your leftovers, the sauce will appear to be very buttery. It will still be delicious so reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring half way through.
Chicken Bryan Better than the Restaurant! | Chef Jean-Pierre
FAQ
What is chicken bryan from Carrabba’s?
Carrabba’s Italian Grill Menu – Chicken Bryan. Wood-grilled and topped with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, basil and our lemon butter sauce. Served with your choice of side.
Why is it called chicken bryan?
Chicken Bryan is named after Bryan, Texas, where the Carrabba family settled after moving to the US from Sicily. Johnny Carrabba, one of the founders of the Carrabba’s Italian Grill restaurant chain, named the signature chicken dish after the city where his parents grew up.
Is chicken bryan healthy?
Not only is it delicious, but it’s also a healthier choice, offering lean protein while being lower in carbs. Indulge in the vibrant flavors and satisfying textures of Chicken Bryan—it’s a delightful meal that brings a taste of Italy right to your plate!
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