This comforting Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken Casserole is a stick-to-your-ribs comfort food that’s wonderful in any weeknight meal lineup. Each tender chicken breast is cloaked in a sour cream and Parmesan sauce so rich and melty mozzarella that every bite is packed with cheesy creamy goodness. Pair this casserole with roasted veggies or a crisp green salad for a deliciously comforting meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Colorful and Comforting: The blend of sour cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan creates a gooey, creamy texture that makes you want to eat it all.
Pantry Staple Ingredients: Relies on pantry staples, this dish doesn’t use any special ingredients, yet still provides deep flavor and satisfaction.
(Serves four to six) Family-Friendly: Kids and adults alike will love this comforting casserole, which is easily complemented by a variety of sides.
Make-Ahead Friendly: This dish can be assembled ahead of time and left in the bake and pop in the oven when you are ready, so it makes it great for busy days.
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Key Ingredients:
Each of the ingredients in this casserole serves a purpose, but couple of tips can make this dish even better!
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for more tender results. If they’re especially thick, you can cut them in half for even cooking.
Mozzarella Cheese: This cheese creates a gooey layer that melts smoothly over the chicken. If you want a sharper flavor, use provolone.)
Parmesand Cheese: You can use grated parmesan, but a fresh block to grate at home works best as the melt is better with more flavor. It also gives it a lovely golden crust.
Sour Cream: Choose full-fat sour cream for a rich, creamy sauce. You can use low-fat sour cream if you want a lighter version, but steer clear of fat-free as that will just make the sauce runny.
Cornstarch: Cornstarch serves to thin the sauce out a little grab some velvety creaminess but not make it too runny.
Herbs and Seasonings: Oregano and garlic powder lend a gentle, earthy taste. If you like, you can substitute Italian seasoning for a different herbal note.
Full list of ingredients with quantities and instructions are located in the recipe card below
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). This will allow the chicken to cook through and the cheese to bubble and brown.
Prepare the Baking Dish: Oil a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly. This will help stop the casserole from sticking and make it easier to clean up.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Arrange Chicken in the Dish: Spread the chicken breasts in a single layer in the baking dish.
Optional Seasoning: Consider adding a sprinkle of salt and pepper to each chicken breast for flavor!
Step 3: Prepare the Sour Cream Blend
Group: In a mixing bowl, whisk the following until incorporated:
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch (to thicken sauce slightly)
Combine Well: Mix it all together until combined for a creamy , delectable sauce.
Step 5: Combine the casserole
Add the Mozzarella Cheese: Directly on top of each chicken breast lay a slice of the mozzarella cheese. This will form a gooey, melt-y layer.
Spoon Sour Cream Mixture: Spoon sour cream mixture on top of chicken breasts, spreading evenly to coat all pieces.
Top with Parmesan: Sprinkle the rest of the Parmesan cheese over the casserole. As it bakes, this will form a crust that’s golden and cheesy.
Step 5: Bake to Perfection
Bake: Put the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour or so.
Check for Doneness: The casserole is ready to go when the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is golden and bubbly. If the cheese starts to brown too quickly, tent the dish with foil.
Step 6: Let It Rest
Resting Period Once finished, take the casserole out of the oven, and let it rest for a few minutes. This lets the sauce thicken a little and the flavors blend.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Garnish: Top the casserole with fresh parsley or chives for a pop of color and flavor.
Serve Hot: Serve the casserole hot with roasted vegetables, a crisp salad or fluffy rice for a complete and comforting meal.
Serving Suggestions:
Cheesy sour cream chicken casserole goes well with a range of sides for a complete meal:
Roasted Vegetables: Serve with roasted broccoli, carrot or Brussels sprouts to cut through the creamy richness of the casserole.
Fluffy Rice or Mashed Potatoes: Either one is a perfect vehicle to wash up all that tasty sauce.
Crisp Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette cuts through the richness of the casserole and brings a refreshing contrast.
Garlic Bread: For a treat, serve warm garlic bread to soak up the additional sauce.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips:
This casserole can easily be made ahead and reheats nicely, making it a great meal prep dish.
Refrigeration: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. To reheat, place in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or you can heat individual portions in the microwave as needed.
Freezing: The casserole can be frozen either unbaked or after it comes out of the oven. To freeze before baking: Prepare the dish, cover it tightly with foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. To bake them, defrost overnight in the refrigerator, then bake according to the directions. To freeze after baking, allow the casserole to cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze. Reheat in the oven until hot.
Make-Ahead Tip: You can assemble the casserole up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake and serve. This is a huge time-saver when you’re busy on weeknights, or you’re getting ready for guests.
Recipe Variations:
This casserole is easy to modify to your family’s specific tastes and dietary requirements. Here are some fun things you can change up:
Spinach or Mushrooms: Add fresh spinach or sliced mushrooms between the chicken and cheese for more nutrition and flavor.
Herb Substitution: Use oregano instead of thyme, rosemary or Italian seasoning for another flavor profile.
Cheese Swap: And for flavor, substitute provolone, Swiss or any combination of cheeses for the mozzarella.
Spicy Kick: Stir in a dash of red pepper flakes with the sour cream mixture for a touch of spice.
Conclusion:
This cheesy sour cream chicken casserole is the ultimate comfort food — it’s the perfect recipe for an evening in at home, welcoming a new lady into the family. It is certain to appeal to a crowd, with its rich flavors, creamy sauce and golden, cheesy top. Whether you’re partial to effortless weeknight meals or want something hearty to impress company, this casserole does it all. Do try this and relish every cheesy bit of it!
Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese finely shredded
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sour cream rich
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
- cooking oil for greasing the dish
Instructions
- Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with oil.
- Lay the chicken breasts flat in the baking dish and season with a pinch of salt and pepper if desired.
- In a mixing bowl, combine sour cream, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder, and cornstarch. Stir until smooth.
- Place a slice of mozzarella cheese on each chicken breast. Spread the sour cream mixture over the chicken, then sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.
- Bake in the oven for about 1 hour, or until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes to allow the sauce to thicken.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley or chives and serve warm.