Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Recipe is one of those dinners that feels cozy and flavorful without any fuss. I love how the tangy sour cream mingles with sweet caramelized onions for a rich sauce that clings perfectly to tender chicken. You’re going to wonder why you haven’t made this before!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Recipe was a real game-changer in my weeknight rotation. It's the perfect combo of simple ingredients delivering maximum flavor, plus it’s a total crowd-pleaser that even picky eaters enjoy.
- Quick and easy: You get dinner on the table in about 30 minutes, ideal for busy nights.
- Flavor-packed sauce: The sour cream and caramelized onion sauce is creamy, tangy, and irresistibly savory.
- Versatile: It pairs beautifully with veggies, rice, or mashed potatoes—whatever you have on hand.
- Simple ingredients: No fancy or hard-to-find items here, just everyday pantry staples.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic in this Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Recipe comes down to how a few basic ingredients work together to create depth and richness. Caramelizing the onions brings out their natural sweetness, balancing the tang of the sour cream for a sauce that feels luxurious without being heavy.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Slicing them thin ensures quick cooking and tender bites.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle, aromatic punch to the chicken seasoning.
- Salt & pepper: Essential for bringing all the flavors alive.
- Olive oil: Great for searing the chicken nicely without overpowering flavors.
- Butter: Divided use gives the sauce richness and helps caramelize the onions.
- Onion (sliced): Slowly cooking it softens and sweetens, creating that classic onion flavor.
- Garlic (minced): Adds freshness; just cook briefly to avoid bitterness.
- Chicken broth: Lifts the pan bits and makes the sauce more luscious and saucy.
- Worcestershire sauce: A little umami boost that deepens the overall flavor.
- Sour cream (full-fat): The tangy creaminess defines the sauce and keeps the dish comforting.
- Fresh parsley (optional): A bright finish that makes the dish pop visually and refreshes each bite.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this recipe depending on what I’m craving or have in the kitchen. Feel free to add your personal spin to the Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Recipe—the foundation is so solid it’s hard to go wrong!
- Variation: I sometimes swap cream cheese for some of the sour cream for an even thicker sauce—especially comforting on chilly nights.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne or some chopped jalapeño to bring a little heat to the table.
- Herb swap: Try fresh dill or chives instead of parsley for a different fresh note.
- Make it dairy-free: Use coconut yogurt or a plant-based sour cream alternative, and swap butter for olive oil or dairy-free margarine.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prep & Season Your Chicken
First, I cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise so they’re nice and thin. This helps them cook evenly and keeps things tender. A quick sprinkle of garlic powder, salt, and pepper sets the stage for flavor without masking the sauce magic that’s coming up.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken Until Golden
Heat your pan over medium-high, add olive oil and half the butter. When it’s hot and shimmering, add the chicken. Cook about 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Don’t rush this—you want that beautiful crust. Then, set the chicken aside while we build the sauce.
Step 3: Caramelize the Onions Slowly
Turn the heat to medium and add the remaining butter along with the sliced onions. This step is key—slow and steady wins here. Let the onions soften and browning gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If they start browning too fast, drop the heat; patience here brings out that sweet, mellow flavor.
Step 4: Add Garlic, Broth & Worcestershire
Once the onions look beautifully soft and golden, add the minced garlic and cook just 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up those delicious brown bits from the pan bottom—that’s flavor gold right there!
Step 5: Stir in Sour Cream & Finish the Sauce
Lower the heat and mix in the sour cream until silky smooth. Keep the heat gentle; you want the sauce warm and velvety without letting it bubble to avoid curdling. Once it’s heated through, nestle the chicken back into the skillet and spoon the sauce generously over top.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve Immediately
Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if you have it—it adds a fresh, bright contrast to the rich sauce. Serve straight away for the best experience.
Top Tip
I’ve made the Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Recipe a handful of times and some tricks always make a difference. Here’s what I learned from my trials—you’ll thank me when your onion browning turns out just right and your sauce stays silky!
- Low and slow onions: Don’t rush this step! If your onions brown too fast, turn the heat down to medium-low and stir frequently.
- Don’t overheat sour cream: Keep the sauce on low heat once the sour cream is in. Too much heat risks curdling, which is easy to avoid.
- Thin chicken slices: Cutting the breasts lengthwise made cooking time manageable and ensured tender chicken every time.
- Spoon up the sauce: Be generous with that sauce; it’s the star and it makes the chicken truly shine.
How to Serve Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
I like a simple sprinkle of fresh parsley to brighten up the dish, but chives or dill can work beautifully too. Sometimes I add a little cracked black pepper on top for a subtle extra kick.
Side Dishes
One of my go-to sides is creamy mashed potatoes—they soak up all that sour cream and onion sauce perfectly. Roasted veggies like asparagus or green beans work really well too, balancing the richness with crisp freshness. A fluffy rice pilaf or buttered noodles are excellent if you want to keep things easier.
Creative Ways to Present
For special dinners, I sometimes plate the chicken over a bed of wild rice mixed with sautéed mushrooms and herbs, then drizzle the sauce artistically around the plate. It feels elegant but still comforting. Another fun idea is serving it in warm pita bread with fresh greens for a chicken sandwich twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After dinner, I usually let the leftovers cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The chicken stays juicy, and the sauce only gets richer overnight. I find it’s still delicious up to 3 days later.
Freezing
Freezing works fine, though the sauce texture changes slightly. To keep it creamy after thawing, I recommend reheating gently on low and stirring in a splash of chicken broth or cream if it looks thick or separated.
Reheating
I usually reheat leftovers on the stovetop over low heat, adding a bit of broth or water to loosen up the sauce and stirring gently until warmed through. Microwaving works too, but keep the power medium to avoid overcooking.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Chicken thighs will be juicier and a bit more flavorful, but cook times may be slightly longer depending on thickness.
The key is to keep heat low when adding sour cream and avoid boiling. Stir the sour cream in off the heat or on gentle low heat, then warm through slowly.
You can cook everything except adding the sour cream sauce. Keep the chicken and pan juices separately refrigerated. Finish by reheating and stirring in sour cream just before serving.
Mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, rice pilaf, or buttered noodles all complement the rich sauce beautifully and round out the meal nicely.
Final Thoughts
This Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen rotation because it nails that perfect balance of comforting and elegant with minimal effort. Give it a try and I bet it’ll become one of your go-to dinners, just like it did for me. Plus, the sauce leftovers make incredible toppings for sandwiches or baked potatoes!
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Delicious Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
A creamy and flavorful Sour Cream and Onion Chicken recipe featuring tender chicken breasts cooked to perfection and smothered in a rich sour cream and caramelized onion sauce. Perfect for a comforting and quick dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter divided
Sauce
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup full-fat sour cream
- Fresh chopped parsley optional, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare chicken: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 4 thinner pieces. Sprinkle evenly with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat pan and cook chicken: Add olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter to a skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add chicken pieces and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté onions: Lower heat to medium and add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to the skillet. Add sliced onions and sauté until softened and lightly browned, about 10-15 minutes, adjusting heat to prevent burning.
- Add garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Deglaze pan: Pour in chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate flavor.
- Make sauce: Stir in sour cream until smooth, gently heating the sauce for a couple of minutes without letting it bubble to prevent curdling.
- Combine and serve: Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over the top. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- If the sauce is too thick, add a little more chicken broth to reach the desired consistency.
- For extra richness, use full-fat sour cream as recommended.
- Cooking onions low and slow prevents burning and develops natural sweetness.
- Ensure the sauce stays on low heat while adding sour cream to avoid curdling.
- Serve with rice, potatoes, or vegetables for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
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