Sour Cream and Onion Chicken is like the best parts of a classic chip night melded with a homey, reliable chicken dinner. It’s juicy, flavorful, just a little indulgent, and topped with a golden lid of crispy onions that nobody can resist. Whether you’re shaking up your weeknight menu or searching for an easy main to impress guests, this dish delivers creamy, tangy, and deeply savory flavors in every single bite. If you’re a fan of cozy comfort food with a twist, get ready to make this a regular in your dinner rotation!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This list is short and sweet, but each ingredient has a job: bringing flavor, adding a creamy texture, or delivering that signature crispy onion crunch. The confidence and simplicity of these ingredients keep things easy, but they work together to create magic in the oven.
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless, and easy to work with—these soak up all the tangy flavors while staying juicy.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning and drawing out the natural flavor in the chicken.
- Black pepper: Adds a bit of bite to balance the creaminess.
- Garlic powder: Brings warmth and depth to every bite.
- Onion powder: Doubles down on the onion flavor for that classic chip-inspired taste.
- Sour cream: The star of the show, creating a tangy, luscious sauce that keeps the chicken moist.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds savory richness and helps create a lovely crust as it bakes.
- Crushed crispy fried onions: The secret weapon for intense onion flavor and an addictive crunch on top.
- Chives or green onions (optional): For a fresh pop of color and a gentle, herby finish.
How to Make Sour Cream and Onion Chicken
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and giving a 9×13-inch baking dish a quick coat of nonstick spray or a brush of oil. Pat your chicken dry with paper towels—this is the not-so-secret trick for great browning and even cooking. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, making sure every bite is set up for maximum flavor.
Step 2: Make the Sour Cream and Onion Coating
In a medium bowl, mix together the sour cream, Parmesan cheese, and most of the crushed crispy fried onions. Stir until everything is well combined and luxuriously thick. This spread is where that signature tangy-creamy taste really starts coming together.
Step 3: Smother the Chicken
Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, evenly spread the sour cream and onion mixture over the top of each chicken breast. Go right up to the edges for the best coverage—don’t shy away from a thick layer! Once slathered, arrange the coated chicken breasts in your prepared baking dish.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pop the dish into the oven, uncovered, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The chicken should reach an internal temp of 165°F (74°C) and the topping will look golden and bubbly. If you love a really crisp top, switch your oven to broil for the last 2–3 minutes—just keep an eye on things to prevent burning.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
As soon as the Sour Cream and Onion Chicken comes out of the oven, shower the tops with extra crispy fried onions and sprinkle with chopped fresh chives or green onions. These final touches add a boost of fresh color and even more crunch.
How to Serve Sour Cream and Onion Chicken
Garnishes
Don’t forget the garnishes—they make the whole plate pop! Freshly sliced chives or green onions brighten everything up and echo the onion flavor. Add another handful of crispy onions right before serving for the ultimate crunch.
Side Dishes
Sour Cream and Onion Chicken loves cozy company. It’s perfect with creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy rice, or a medley of simple roasted vegetables to round things out. For something lighter, a crisp green salad does wonders to cut through the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, slice the chicken and layer it over garlic bread or into warm sandwich rolls for a hearty lunch. You can also cube leftovers and toss with pasta or serve over greens for an easy meal-prep salad.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any Sour Cream and Onion Chicken you don’t finish will keep beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let it cool completely first to lock in freshness and avoid condensation.
Freezing
To freeze, place cooled chicken (without fresh garnishes) into airtight freezer-safe containers, separating layers with parchment if needed. It’ll keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating for best results.
Reheating
For the juiciest results, reheat Sour Cream and Onion Chicken in a 350°F oven, covered with foil, for about 15 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions, though the topping won’t stay quite as crisp.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless thighs work great with this recipe and stay incredibly juicy. You may need to adjust the bake time slightly depending on thickness.
Is there a lighter alternative to sour cream?
Yes—plain Greek yogurt is a fantastic swap for sour cream and brings the same tang with extra protein and less fat.
How can I make this gluten-free?
Simply choose gluten-free crispy fried onions from the grocery store, or make your own at home. All the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free!
Can I prepare Sour Cream and Onion Chicken ahead of time?
You can season and coat the chicken in advance, then cover and refrigerate for up to 8 hours. Just bake when you’re ready to eat for an easy dinner with zero last-minute fuss!
What’s the best way to crush the fried onions?
Place the fried onions in a zip-top bag and gently crush with a rolling pin or the bottom of a measuring cup. Aim for coarse crumbs for the best texture.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving that nostalgic tang and crave-worthy crunch, you can’t go wrong with Sour Cream and Onion Chicken. This dish is every bit as easy as it is delicious, and there’s nothing quite like seeing the smiles it brings to the table. Try it soon—you might just find it becomes a new family favorite!
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Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Sour Cream and Onion Chicken recipe is a delicious twist on classic baked chicken, featuring a creamy and flavorful topping of sour cream, Parmesan cheese, and crispy fried onions. Easy to prepare and perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Topping:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup crushed crispy fried onions (plus more for topping)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or green onions (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Season chicken: Pat chicken dry, season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Prepare topping: Mix sour cream, Parmesan, and fried onions. Spread over chicken.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
- Broil: For a crispy topping, broil for 2-3 minutes.
- Serve: Sprinkle with additional onions and chives before serving.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables.
- For a lighter option, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
