These Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken Breasts Smothered with cheesy goodness and comfort topped with a creamy cheesy sauce Sprinkled with oregano and garlic goodness. The sour cream and cheese mixture keeps the chicken moist, and melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella on top adds an ooey-gooey layer of cheese.
You could garnish with fresh parsley or basil just before serving for added texture and flavor. It’s great served with steamed vegetables, a side salad or buttery mashed potatoes. Enjoy this cozy, cheesy meal!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Rich, Creamy Flavor: The sour cream and Parmesan topping seals in the moisture, and the mozzarella adds a gooey, cheesy layer.
Minimal Prep: With a handful of ingredients and just a few steps, this recipe is quick to make and nearly mindless.
Kid-Friendly: The cheesy, mild taste is popular with kids and adults, so it suits family meals perfectly.
Reception Versatility: Awesome with a few sides such as rice, mashed potatoes or roasted veggies.
Let’s break down how each ingredient is used in the recipe and what the step-by-step instructions are to make this tasty baked chicken dish.
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Key Ingredients:
Here’s how each of the ingredients shines in this recipe — and a few tips for getting the most flavor out of each.
Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for the lean base of this dish. If your chicken breasts are super thick, try slicing in half so that they cook up evenly.
Sour Cream: Sour cream is one of the key ingredients that give this dish its creamy and tart flavor to offset the richness of the cheese. You could use Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
Parmesan Cheese: Parmesan adds a sharp, nutty element to the dish. Freshly grated Parmesan is best, as it melts and browns more easily than pre-grated kinds do.
Mozzarella Cheese: These slices melt over the chicken, lending that “smothered” effect. You may also use provolone if you’d like the same texture and flavor.
Cornstarch: The cornstarch thickens the sour cream mixture and allows it to stick to the chicken, giving a creamy coating that remains in place during baking.
Oregano and Garlic Powder: These seasonings add warmth and depth, building the overall flavor profile without being overpowering. You adjust their amounts to taste.
Salt and Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and cheese. tweak according to taste and the saltiness of your Parmesan cheese.
List of recipe ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the card below
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven:
First, the oven should be preheated to 375°F (190°C). To make cleanup easier and prevent sticking, lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Arrange Chicken:
Set the chicken breasts in the baking dish; be sure they are arranged in one layer so they cook evenly.
Make the Sour Cream Mixture: In a mixing bowl, mix together:
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Stir until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
Step 3: Add Mozzarella Cheese:
Add a slice of mozzarella cheese atop each chicken breast piece. This will lead to a deliciously gooey layer on baking.
Spread Sour Cream Mixture: Top each chicken breast evenly with the sour cream mixture, then sprinkle the reserved Parmesan cheese on top.
Bake: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for about 60 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and the cheese is golden and bubbly on top.
Rest and Serve: Let the dish rest for a few minutes after pulling it out of the oven. It allows time for the flavors to meld and makes the dish more approachable to serve.
Serving Suggestions:
This cheesy sour cream chicken smothered pairs excellently with loads of sides. Here are some ideas to round out your meal:
Rice or Quinoa: A serving of rice or quinoa is ideal for absorbing the creamy sauce, increasing the satisfaction of every morsel.
Mashed Potatoes or Cauliflower Mash — Creamy mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash offer a soft cozy texture akin to the chicken.
Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, steamed green beans or broccoli provide a fresh contrast to the richness of the chicken.
Side Salad: A light green salad with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through and balances the dish.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
This dish makes wonderful leftovers, and here’s how to store and reheat it:
Refrigeration: Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To freeze: Freeze in single servings in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge overnight, then reheat.
Reheat: For best results, heat in a 350°F oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until heated through. This also keeps the cheese gooey and keeps the chicken from drying out. If you prefer, microwave on a lower power setting until warm; the cheese will probably be softer.
Variations:
Customize this dish with a few easy variations:
Spicy Sour Cream Chicken: Spice up the sour cream mixture with a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or drizzle of hot sauce.
Herb and Garlic Chicken: Replace the oregano with Italian seasoning, or stir in fresh herbs such as thyme, basil or parsley for an herby note.
Low-Carb Version: For a lower-carb version, omit the sour cream and use full-fat Greek yogurt instead. Serve it over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles for a keto-friendly meal.
Bacon-Topped Chicken: Break up cooked bacon and scatter it over the mozzarella slices for extra-smoky flavor.
Conclusion:
That said, this Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken is a great recipe that uses such basic ingredients and packs some major flavor. Then, as the chicken bakes, the sour cream and cheese top turns into an irresistible creamy, cheesy coating all over the chicken that everyone loves. With little prep and a deep, comforting flavor, this dish is ideal for busy nights when you’re craving something warm and filling.
So fire up that oven, get your baking dish and get ready to make something sure to please. Dig into every creamy, cheesy bite!
Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup sour cream for creamy flavor
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese for melty texture
- 1 tbsp cornstarch for thickening
- 1 tsp dried oregano for a hint of herb flavor
- 1 tsp garlic powder for added flavor
- to taste Salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish, arranging them in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir until smooth and well-blended.
- Place one slice of mozzarella cheese on top of each chicken breast for a melty layer during baking.
- Spread the sour cream mixture evenly over each chicken breast, then sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 60 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Allow the dish to stand for a few minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Enjoy this creamy, cheesy chicken!