There’s something about smothered chicken that instantly makes you feel at home. It’s creamy, rich, and packed with flavor, the kind of dish that transforms a plain chicken breast into a restaurant-worthy meal. Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken is one of those comfort food recipes that checks all the boxes: it’s creamy from the sour cream, gooey from the melted cheese, and savory thanks to perfectly seasoned chicken. Best of all, it’s easy enough for a weeknight dinner yet impressive enough for serving guests.
This recipe is built around pantry staples and comes together with minimal prep. By layering tender chicken, a sour cream-based sauce, and a generous sprinkle of cheese, you create a meal that’s hearty, indulgent, and versatile. Whether you’re serving it with rice, potatoes, or roasted vegetables, this dish is guaranteed to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
For 4 servings, gather the following:
For the Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–7 ounces each)
1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Sour Cream Sauce
1 cup sour cream (full-fat recommended for creaminess)
½ cup mayonnaise (adds richness)
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried parsley (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
¼ teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional, for tang)
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Topping
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp cheddar works best)
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Drizzle with olive oil (or melted butter), then season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Place chicken in the prepared baking dish.
Step 2: Mix the Sour Cream Sauce
In a medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, paprika, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. The sauce should be creamy with a slight tang.
Step 3: Smother the Chicken
Spread the sour cream mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, covering them completely. This ensures the chicken stays moist and flavorful during baking.
Step 4: Add Cheese
Sprinkle cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan evenly over the top of the chicken and sauce. The cheese will melt into a golden, gooey topping that makes this dish irresistible.
Step 5: Bake
Cover the dish loosely with foil (to prevent the cheese from over-browning too quickly). Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The cheese should be melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chives or parsley before serving.
Tips for Perfecting the Dish
Pound chicken evenly: If your chicken breasts are thick on one side, gently pound them with a meat mallet for even cooking.
Don’t skip the foil: Covering with foil during the first stage of baking ensures juicy chicken and prevents burnt cheese.
Use freshly grated cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that affect melt quality. Freshly shredded melts smoother.
Add spice if desired: For a little kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes or cayenne into the sour cream mixture.
Rest before slicing: Allowing chicken to rest for 5 minutes keeps it juicy and makes it easier to serve.
Conservation and Storage
Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Warm gently in a 325°F (165°C) oven, covered with foil, until heated through. You can also reheat in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist.
Variations
This recipe is wonderfully versatile. Try these twists:
Bacon Lover’s Version: Sprinkle cooked, crumbled bacon on top before baking.
Tex-Mex Style: Add 1 teaspoon taco seasoning to the sour cream mixture and use Monterey Jack cheese instead of mozzarella. Top with sliced jalapeños.
Herb Upgrade: Mix fresh thyme, rosemary, or dill into the sauce for a more herbal profile.
Low-Carb Twist: Skip the mayonnaise and use Greek yogurt for a lighter sauce.
Spicy Kick: Stir in hot sauce or chipotle powder to the sour cream mixture for a smoky, spicy flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This dish is creamy and cheesy, so it pairs best with simple sides that balance the richness.
With Rice: Serve over fluffy white rice, jasmine rice, or wild rice to soak up the creamy sauce.
With Pasta: Toss cooked egg noodles or penne in olive oil and serve alongside the chicken.
With Potatoes: Mashed potatoes or roasted baby potatoes make excellent companions.
With Vegetables: Serve with roasted broccoli, green beans, or asparagus for freshness and color.
With Bread: Warm, crusty bread or garlic bread is perfect for mopping up extra sauce.
Conclusion
Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken proves that you don’t need complicated techniques to make a comforting, flavorful meal. By combining juicy chicken, a tangy sour cream sauce, and three kinds of melted cheese, you create a dish that’s hearty, indulgent, and endlessly versatile.
From weeknight dinners to entertaining guests, this recipe shines because of its ease and universal appeal. Plus, with variations and flexible serving options, you can adapt it to any mood or occasion. Once you make it, you’ll see why it’s the kind of recipe people ask you to share.
Rich, creamy, and undeniably cheesy, this smothered chicken is comfort food at its finest—a dish you’ll come back to again and again.
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Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken
- Total Time: 45–50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A creamy, cheesy, and savory chicken bake that combines tender chicken breasts with a tangy sour cream sauce and three kinds of melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights yet elegant enough for entertaining guests.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–7 ounces each)
1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika (optional, for color)
½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Sour Cream Sauce:
1 cup sour cream (full-fat recommended)
½ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried parsley (or 1 teaspoon fresh)
¼ teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Topping:
1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (sharp recommended)
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat Oven: Set oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Season Chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry. Drizzle with olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Arrange in the baking dish.
Mix Sauce: In a bowl, whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, paprika, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Smother Chicken: Spread sauce evenly over the chicken breasts.
Add Cheese: Sprinkle cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan over the top.
Bake: Cover loosely with foil. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and cheese is golden and bubbly.
Rest & Garnish: Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley or chives. Serve warm.
Notes
Pound chicken breasts to even thickness for uniform cooking.
Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting.
For extra flavor, sprinkle red pepper flakes into the sour cream mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce and cheese
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 46 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg
Keywords: smothered cheesy sour cream chicken, creamy baked chicken, chicken with sour cream sauce