16 Copycat Restaurant Recipes That Taste Just Like Your Favorite Order

What if you could get your favorite restaurant meals without the long line, the delivery fees or the wait? These copycat restaurant recipes bring the flavors you love straight to your kitchen. From crispy chicken to famous rolls and creamy soups, each one is simple enough for a weeknight and good enough to fool your family. Which restaurant favorite are you most excited to make? Start scrolling..

1. Crispy Chicken Sandwich, the King of Copycat Restaurant Recipes

This is the sandwich that people happily wait in long drive thru lines for. The secret is a quick pickle juice soak that keeps the chicken juicy, plus a light coating that fries up golden and crunchy. Pile it on a buttered, toasted bun with a few pickle chips and you have a fast food style favorite at home. It might even be better because it is fresh out of your own pan.

You will need: 2 chicken breasts halved into thin cutlets, 1/2 cup pickle juice, 1 egg, 1/2 cup milk, 1 cup flour, 2 tbsp powdered sugar, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, oil for frying, 4 buns, butter, pickle chips.

How to make it: Soak the chicken in pickle juice for 1 hour. Whisk the egg and milk. Mix flour, powdered sugar, paprika, salt and pepper. Dip chicken in the egg wash, then the flour. Fry in 350 F oil for 4 to 5 minutes per side. Toast buttered buns and add pickles and chicken.

2. Burrito Bowl (Easy Copycat Restaurant Recipes Start Here)

Love building your own bowl at the counter? You can do the same thing at home and save a lot of money. The cilantro lime rice is the real star here, and it only takes two extra ingredients. Add seasoned chicken, black beans, salsa and all the toppings you love. Make a batch on Sunday and pack bowls for lunch all week. Which topping do you never skip? A) Guac B) Sour cream C) Cheese D) Extra salsa. It is one of the easiest copycat restaurant recipes for meal prep.

You will need: 1 lb chicken thighs, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 2 cups cooked rice, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, juice of 1 lime, 1 can black beans, corn, salsa, lettuce, cheese, guacamole.

How to make it: Season chicken with chili powder, cumin and salt. Grill or pan cook 6 minutes per side and slice. Stir cilantro and lime into the warm rice. Warm the beans. Build bowls with rice, beans, chicken and your favorite toppings.

3. Takeout Style Orange Chicken

Sweet, tangy and sticky, orange chicken is one of the most ordered takeout dishes in America. This homemade version tastes just as good and you can make it in about thirty minutes. Crispy pieces of chicken get tossed in a glossy orange sauce right before serving so they stay crunchy. Serve it with steamed rice and broccoli and skip the delivery app tonight. Copycat restaurant recipes like this one save you real money every month.

You will need: 1.5 lb chicken thighs cut into pieces, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 2 eggs, oil for frying, 3/4 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp ginger, orange zest.

How to make it: Dip chicken in beaten egg, then cornstarch. Fry in batches until golden. Simmer orange juice, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and zest for 5 minutes. Thicken with 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed in water. Toss chicken in the sauce and serve.

4. Italian Restaurant Pasta e Fagioli Soup

This hearty soup is famous at a certain Italian chain known for its endless salad and breadsticks. It is packed with ground beef, beans, tomatoes and little pasta shells in a rich broth. It makes a full meal in one bowl and tastes even better the next day. Serve it with warm bread and a simple salad for that restaurant night feeling at home. Soups are some of the best copycat restaurant recipes to start with.

You will need: 1 lb ground beef, 1 onion, 2 carrots, 2 celery stalks, 3 cloves garlic, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 can tomato sauce, 1 can kidney beans, 1 can cannellini beans, 4 cups beef broth, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1 cup small pasta.

How to make it: Brown the beef and drain. Add onion, carrots, celery and garlic and cook 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, sauce, beans, broth and seasoning. Simmer 20 minutes. Add pasta and cook 10 more minutes until tender. Season and serve.

5. Seafood Shack Cheddar Garlic Biscuits

Be honest: do you go to that famous seafood restaurant just for the biscuits? Same. These cheesy, buttery drop biscuits come together in one bowl in about twenty minutes. No rolling or cutting needed. The garlic butter brushed on top as soon as they come out of the oven is what makes them taste exactly right. Bake a batch and watch them vanish from the basket. No list of copycat restaurant recipes is complete without them.

You will need: 2 cups flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup cold butter cubed, 1 cup shredded cheddar, 3/4 cup buttermilk. Topping: 3 tbsp melted butter, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, parsley.

How to make it: Heat oven to 450 F. Mix the dry ingredients. Cut in cold butter. Stir in cheddar and buttermilk until just combined. Drop scoops onto a lined pan. Bake 10 to 12 minutes. Brush with garlic butter and parsley right away.

6. Creamy Restaurant Style Fettuccine Alfredo

Real alfredo sauce is simple: butter, cream and good parmesan. That is it. This version tastes just like the creamy bowl you order at your favorite Italian spot, but it costs a fraction of the price. The key is grating fresh parmesan so the sauce melts smooth and silky. Add grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a full meal. Would you add A) chicken B) shrimp or C) keep it classic? It is one of those copycat restaurant recipes that tastes even better at home.

You will need: 12 oz fettuccine, 4 tbsp butter, 1.5 cups heavy cream, 2 cloves garlic minced, 1.5 cups freshly grated parmesan, salt, pepper, parsley.

How to make it: Cook the pasta in salted water and save 1/2 cup of the water. Melt butter, add garlic and cook 1 minute. Pour in cream and simmer 4 minutes. Lower the heat and stir in parmesan until smooth. Toss with pasta, adding pasta water if needed. Top with parsley.

7. Asian Bistro Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These lettuce wraps are one of the most loved appetizers at a popular Asian bistro chain, and the homemade version is just as tasty. Ground chicken cooks with water chestnuts, garlic and a savory hoisin sauce, then gets spooned into cool, crisp lettuce cups. They are light, crunchy and fun to eat. Serve them as a starter or make a double batch for dinner.

You will need: 1 lb ground chicken, 1 tbsp oil, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp grated ginger, 1 can water chestnuts diced, 3 tbsp hoisin sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tsp sesame oil, green onions, butter lettuce leaves.

How to make it: Heat oil and cook the chicken until browned. Add garlic, ginger and water chestnuts and cook 2 minutes. Stir in hoisin, soy sauce, vinegar and sesame oil. Cook 2 more minutes. Top with green onions. Spoon into lettuce cups.

8. Mall Style Gooey Cinnamon Rolls

You know that smell that pulls you across the whole mall? Now your kitchen can smell like that. These soft, fluffy rolls are filled with brown sugar and cinnamon and covered with a thick cream cheese frosting. They take a little time to rise, but the work is easy and the reward is huge. Bake them for a special weekend breakfast and watch faces light up.

You will need: Dough: 1 cup warm milk, 2 1/4 tsp yeast, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/3 cup melted butter, 1 egg, 3.5 cups flour, 1/2 tsp salt. Filling: 1/2 cup soft butter, 1 cup brown sugar, 2 tbsp cinnamon. Frosting: 4 oz cream cheese, 1/4 cup butter, 1.5 cups powdered sugar.

How to make it: Mix milk, yeast and sugar. Add butter, egg, flour and salt and knead 5 minutes. Rise 1 hour. Roll out, spread filling and roll up. Cut 12 rolls and rise 30 minutes. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes. Beat frosting and spread on warm rolls.

9. Chicken Nuggets, the Kid Favorite of Copycat Restaurant Recipes

Homemade nuggets are so much better than the frozen kind. Bite size pieces of real chicken breast get a quick soak, a seasoned coating and a fry until golden and crunchy. You can also bake them if you prefer. Set out a few dipping sauces and let everyone pick their favorite. Quick poll: what is your nugget dip? A) Honey mustard B) Barbecue C) Ranch D) Sweet and sour. Kids will ask for these copycat restaurant recipes again and again.

You will need: 2 chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces, 1 cup milk, 1 egg, 1 cup flour, 2 tbsp powdered sugar, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, oil for frying.

How to make it: Whisk milk and egg and soak the chicken 30 minutes. Mix flour, sugar, paprika, salt and pepper. Toss the chicken in the flour mix. Fry at 350 F for 3 to 4 minutes until golden. Drain on paper towels and serve with sauces.

10. Bar and Grill Spinach Artichoke Dip

This warm, cheesy dip is a classic starter at bar and grill restaurants across the country. It is creamy, a little tangy and loaded with spinach and artichokes. Bake it until bubbly and golden on top, then serve it with toasted bread, tortilla chips or crackers. It is a guaranteed hit at game nights and holiday parties. Do not expect leftovers! It is the party star of all these copycat restaurant recipes.

You will need: 8 oz cream cheese softened, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayo, 1 cup chopped frozen spinach thawed and squeezed, 1 can artichoke hearts chopped, 2 cloves garlic, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/2 cup parmesan.

How to make it: Heat oven to 375 F. Mix cream cheese, sour cream and mayo until smooth. Stir in spinach, artichokes, garlic and most of the cheese. Spread in a baking dish and top with the rest of the cheese. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly. Serve warm.

11. Steakhouse Crispy Onion Rings

Big, crunchy onion rings are the side dish that steals the show at any steakhouse. The batter is light and bubbly thanks to a splash of sparkling water, so the rings fry up extra crisp. Sweet onions turn soft and tender inside. Serve them with a smoky dipping sauce or ketchup. Are you an onion rings person or a fries person? Tell us in the comments!

You will need: 2 large sweet onions, 1 cup flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1 egg, 1 cup cold sparkling water, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, oil for frying.

How to make it: Slice onions into thick rings and separate them. Whisk flour, baking powder, salt, paprika, egg and sparkling water into a batter. Dip rings in batter, then panko. Fry at 360 F for 2 to 3 minutes until golden. Drain and salt right away.

12. Broccoli Cheddar Soup (Cozy Copycat Restaurant Recipes)

This creamy soup is the reason so many people stop at a popular bakery cafe for lunch. It is thick, cheesy and full of tender broccoli and carrots. The homemade version is easy and ready in about thirty minutes. Serve it in a mug, a bowl or a hollowed out bread bowl for the full cafe experience. It is the ultimate comfort food on a chilly day. Cozy copycat restaurant recipes like this are perfect for fall.

You will need: 4 tbsp butter, 1 onion diced, 1/4 cup flour, 2 cups chicken broth, 2 cups half and half, 4 cups broccoli florets chopped, 1 carrot shredded, 2.5 cups sharp cheddar shredded, salt, pepper, pinch of nutmeg.

How to make it: Melt butter and cook onion 4 minutes. Stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in broth and half and half. Add broccoli and carrot and simmer 20 minutes. Lower heat and stir in cheese until melted. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.

13. Late Night Taco Spot Chicken Quesadilla

That creamy, slightly spicy sauce is what makes the famous fast food quesadilla so good, and it is easy to copy at home. Toasted tortillas are filled with melty cheese, seasoned chicken and a jalapeno ranch style sauce, then cut into wedges. It is a great way to use leftover chicken and comes together in about fifteen minutes.

You will need: 4 large flour tortillas, 2 cups cooked chicken shredded, 2 cups Mexican cheese blend. Sauce: 1/4 cup mayo, 2 tbsp sour cream, 1 tbsp pickled jalapeno juice, 1 tbsp chopped jalapenos, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1/4 tsp garlic powder.

How to make it: Mix the sauce ingredients. Spread sauce on half of each tortilla. Add cheese and chicken and fold over. Cook in a dry skillet over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and melty. Cut into wedges and serve.

14. Takeout Style Crispy Egg Rolls

Crispy on the outside and full of savory filling, these egg rolls taste just like the ones from your favorite Chinese takeout. The filling is cabbage, carrots and ground pork cooked with garlic and soy sauce. Rolling them is easier than it looks, and they freeze well, so you can make a big batch. Serve with sweet chili or duck sauce for dipping.

You will need: 1 lb ground pork, 3 cups shredded cabbage, 1 cup shredded carrots, 3 green onions, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp ginger, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame oil, 15 egg roll wrappers, oil for frying.

How to make it: Brown the pork. Add cabbage, carrots, onions, garlic and ginger and cook 4 minutes. Stir in soy sauce and sesame oil and cool. Place 3 tbsp filling on each wrapper, fold in sides and roll tight. Seal with water. Fry at 350 F until golden.

15. Mall Pretzel Shop Soft Pretzels

Warm, buttery and lightly salted, these soft pretzels taste just like the ones from the mall pretzel stand. A quick baking soda bath gives them that classic chewy crust and deep golden color. Brush them with melted butter and choose your topping: coarse salt or cinnamon sugar. Which side are you on? A) Salty B) Cinnamon sugar. Serve them with cheese sauce or mustard for dipping. Copycat restaurant recipes can be fun weekend projects too.

You will need: 1.5 cups warm water, 1 tbsp sugar, 2 1/4 tsp yeast, 4.5 cups flour, 1 tsp salt, 4 tbsp melted butter, 1/2 cup baking soda, coarse salt or cinnamon sugar.

How to make it: Mix water, sugar and yeast. Add flour, salt and 2 tbsp butter and knead 5 minutes. Rise 1 hour. Shape into ropes and twist into pretzels. Dip in hot water with baking soda for 30 seconds. Bake at 450 F for 12 minutes. Brush with butter and add toppings.

16. Honey Butter Dinner Rolls to End These Copycat Restaurant Recipes

These are the rolls that people say they would visit a certain Texas steakhouse for, even without the steak. They are pillowy soft, lightly sweet and served warm with a whipped cinnamon honey butter. The dough is simple and very forgiving. Make them for Sunday dinner or holidays, and do not be surprised if your family asks for them every week. Thanks for cooking through these copycat restaurant recipes with us. Craving a burger next? Try our burger recipes that beat any drive thru.

You will need: Dough: 1 cup warm milk, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 1/4 tsp yeast, 1 egg, 1/4 cup melted butter, 3.5 cups flour, 1 tsp salt. Honey butter: 1/2 cup soft butter, 3 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp powdered sugar.

How to make it: Mix milk, sugar and yeast. Add egg, butter, flour and salt and knead until smooth. Rise 1 hour. Shape into 16 squares on a pan and rise 30 minutes. Bake at 350 F for 15 minutes. Brush with butter. Whip the honey butter and serve.