If you're looking for a super tasty comfort meal, then look no further. This crispy sour cream and onion chicken recipe is sure to hit the spot!
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I love that this recipe is so simple and easy to prepare, making it perfect for those busy nights. The crispy sour cream chicken develops its own gravy-like sauce around the chicken as it cooks, which tastes incredible served over the top of each chicken breast or some stuffing and mashed potatoes. Yum!
Serve your baked sour cream chicken for dinner any night of the week, and it's sure to be a hit just the same!
Some great side dish options include Creamy Garlic Red Skin Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Frozen Green Beans.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's easy and delicious. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this dish is PACKED with flavor and juicy chicken that the whole family can enjoy.
- It's filling. We always have a hard time finishing this meal because it's so filling! That's great news, though, because the leftovers taste even better the next day! (Or at least, I think so).
- You can prep it in advance. Assemble everything up to a few hours before baking and keep it well-covered in the fridge. Let it rest on the counter for about 15 minutes as the oven preheats and then bake as directed.
🛒 Ingredients
Shredded Parmesan Cheese- Parmesan cheese is great because it is melty, cheesy, and a little salty, which pairs well here. You want shredded parmesan, not the stuff from the green can.
Ranch Seasoning Mix- Grab a packet of ranch seasoning mix and enjoy all of the great flavors it brings to the table. We love adding ranch seasonings to recipes, see for yourself in our Bacon Ranch Brussel Sprouts and 3 Ingredient Crock Pot Pork Chops.
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast- Use boneless skinless chicken breasts that are about the same sizes so that they can cook at the same rate. Make sure to trim off the fat beforehand.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Chicken: Swap boneless skinless chicken breasts for tenders or thighs. Thighs are more budget-friendly and stay juicy. Adjust bake time as smaller cuts cook faster.
Sour Cream: Plain Greek yogurt works in place of sour cream if you need a lighter or more affordable option.
Parmesan Cheese: Use shredded or grated from the deli section for best melt. The green can works in a pinch but won't melt the same, use less to avoid a salty flavor.
Mayo: You can replace part of the mayo with additional sour cream to stretch ingredients if running low. It will still bake into a creamy sauce.
Crispy Fried Onions: Crushed Ritz crackers, cornflake crumbs, or panko breadcrumbs can be used if fried onions aren't in the budget or you're using what's on hand.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use Chicken Thighs Instead of Breasts: Thighs are cheaper, harder to overcook, and still taste great in this recipe.
Stretch the Meat: Instead of 3-4 full breasts, slice them in half lengthwise to create cutlets. You'll get more portions without buying more meat.
Swap Ingredients You Already Have: Greek yogurt, panko, or crushed crackers can stand in for pricier items like fried onions or name-brand breading.
Serve with Low-Cost Sides: Pair with stuffing, mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted frozen veggies. They stretch the plate without increasing the budget.
🥄 Instructions for Crispy Sour Cream and Onion Chicken
Step 1: Preheat oven to 375F.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl combine the sour cream, mayo, ranch seasoning mix, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and green onion. Whisk together well to combine.
Step 3: Scoop out enough of the mixture to coat the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish evenly and not see the pan below.
Step 4: Place your chicken breasts on top of the mixture.
Step 5: Pour the remaining sour cream mix over the top of the breasts and cover them all well.
Step 6: Place the crispy fried onions into a food processor, pulsing until crumbs or use a gallon sized Ziploc bag and crush with a rolling pin.
Step 7: Sprinkle it evenly on top.
Step 8: Bake in the oven for about 45-60 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
Step 9: Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
Step 10: Garnish the top with additional chopped green onions.
Serve warm with side dishes and enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Even Sizes = Even Cooking: Use similar-sized pieces of chicken so everything bakes at the same rate.
- Don't Skip the Topping: Even a thin layer of crushed onions or cracker crumbs helps with that "crispy" bite.
- Use the Sauce Like Gravy: Spoon the baked sauce over chicken, mashed potatoes, or stuffing, it's too flavorful to waste.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating: Microwave in 30-second intervals until warm, or reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to keep the topping crisp.
Make Ahead: Assemble up to 4 hours in advance, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Set out for 10-15 minutes before baking while the oven preheats.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
This crispy sour cream and onion chicken is great served with mashed potatoes, stuffing, or buttered egg noodles, which all soak up the creamy sauce. Add roasted frozen green beans, steamed broccoli, or a simple salad for balance.
For a cozier meal, pair with garlic bread or cornbread on the side, perfect for catching every drop of sauce.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
This recipe can be scaled up or down but it is easier to cut in half and cook in an 8x8 baking dish. The baking time should be the same, but make sure that the chicken has reached 165 degrees F before consuming.
Keep your leftover chicken stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Reheat again before serving.
This chicken can be reheated by placing a chicken breast on a plate in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes or by cooking it on a baking sheet in the oven for 15 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Time may vary depending on the size of your chicken piece so keep an eye on it and check the internal temperature. If cooking in the oven I recommend laying a piece of foil down to make cleanup even easier.
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🐝 If you tried this Crispy Sour Cream and Onion Chicke, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Crispy Sour Cream and Onion Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup sour cream - ($1.50)
- 1 cup mayonnaise - ($0.89)
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix - ($0.08)
- 1 clove garlic, minced - ($0.05)
- 2 teaspoons onion powder - ($0.16)
- 1 teaspoon salt - ($0.01)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper - ($0.04)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded - ($0.74)
- ⅓ cup green onion, chopped, plus 1 tablespoon for garnish - ($0.34)
- 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts - ($5.95)
- 1 container (6-ounces) crispy fried onions - ($2.94)
Instructions
- Preheat. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Mix sauce. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning mix, garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, Parmesan cheese, and ⅓ cup chopped green onions until smooth.
- Assemble. Spread a thin layer of the sour cream mixture across the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Arrange the chicken breasts on top, then spoon the remaining sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Add topping. Crush the crispy fried onions into coarse crumbs using a food processor or a zip-top bag and rolling pin. Sprinkle evenly over the chicken.
- Bake. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Finish. Let rest for a few minutes, garnish with the remaining green onions, and serve warm.
Notes
- Chicken options. Chicken tenders or boneless thighs can be used in place of breasts.
- Dairy swap. Plain Greek yogurt works well instead of sour cream.
- Pan size. Recipe can be halved and baked in an 8×8 dish with the same bake time.
- Storage. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.
- Reheating. Reheat in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes or in a 350°F oven for about 15 minutes.
Nutritional Information
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MarkRose says
How do you make your crispy fried onions?
Nicole says
You actually can buy them! French's Crispy Fried Onions is a popular brand, you can usually find them near the salad toppings in your local grocery store.