Sour Cream Onion Chicken Recipe

Crispy golden edges and a creamy, tangy sauce make this Sour Cream Onion Chicken Recipe a real weeknight winner. It’s surprisingly simple but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen—a recipe that I find myself coming back to again and again.

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Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Recipe
• Ingredients & Why They Work
• Make It Your Way
• Step-by-Step: How I Make Sour Cream Onion Chicken Recipe
• Top Tip
• How to Serve Sour Cream Onion Chicken Recipe
• Make Ahead and Storage
• Frequently Asked Questions:
• Final Thoughts
• Delicious Recipe

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in this Sour Cream Onion Chicken Recipe pulls its weight, creating balance and depth without complicating the cooking process. Here’s why I love each of them and what to look for when shopping.

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Easy to slice thin for even cooking; a lean protein that soaks up the sauce beautifully.
• Garlic powder & fresh garlic: Garlic powder seasons the chicken evenly, while fresh garlic adds a punch during the sauté for layers of flavor.
• Salt & pepper: Simple seasoning that enhances every bite—you won’t want to skip this!
• Olive oil and butter: The butter gives richness and helps with caramelizing the onions, while olive oil prevents burning and keeps everything smooth.
• Medium onion: Sliced thin, it caramelizes to sweet, golden perfection, which contrasts deliciously with the tangy sour cream.
• Chicken broth: Adds subtle savory depth to the sauce and helps loosen the pan drippings for flavor.
• Worcestershire sauce: A tiny splash gives umami magic that rounds out the sauce’s flavor.
• Full-fat sour cream: The star that makes the sauce creamy and tangy—don’t swap this for anything leaner if you want that luscious consistency.
• Fresh chopped parsley (optional): Brightens up the rich dish with a pop of color and fresh herbaceous note.

Make It Your Way

I like to keep this recipe pretty classic, but you can absolutely make tweaks based on what you have or prefer. It’s one of those meals where you can get creative and still end up with a winner.

• Variation: Once, I swapped onions for shallots and added fresh thyme. The thyme gave it a subtle woodsy note that paired wonderfully with the sour cream tang.
• Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free version, try substituting sour cream with a coconut cream or a plant-based sour cream alternative—you’ll want to taste as you go to adjust creaminess and tang.
• Make it spicy: Toss in a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika to add a little heat and smoky warmth.
• Extra veggies: Toss in mushrooms or spinach while cooking the onions to bump up the nutrition and texture with minimal effort.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Sour Cream Onion Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken

Start by slicing your chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create thinner pieces; this helps them cook quickly and evenly. Sprinkle both sides with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This simple seasoning lays down a solid flavor base before cooking.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken Until Golden

Heat the olive oil and one tablespoon of butter over medium-high heat in a skillet. When the pan is hot (you’ll know because the butter foams and the oil shimmers), place the chicken in. Cook about 5-6 minutes per side, aiming for a gorgeous golden brown crust and an internal temp of 165°F. Once done, set the chicken aside to rest—it’ll stay juicy this way.

Step 3: Caramelize Onions and Add Garlic

Lower the heat to medium and add the remaining butter plus your sliced onions to the same pan. Sauté slowly for 10-15 minutes or until fragrant, softened, and lightly browned, stirring occasionally—this takes patience but trust me, it’s worth it. Add the minced garlic and cook just 30 seconds more to keep the garlic flavor fresh and vibrant without burning.

Step 4: Build the Sauce and Simmer

Pour in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up any tasty brown bits from the pan bottom—it’s where all the flavor lives! Stir in the sour cream and let the sauce warm through gently for a couple of minutes. Be careful not to let it boil; too much bubbling can cause the sauce to curdle, which we definitely don’t want.

Step 5: Combine and Serve

Return the chicken to the pan, spoon generous amounts of that creamy sauce over the top, and heat just enough to bring it all together. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a flash of color and freshness, then serve immediately.

How to Serve Sour Cream Onion Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh chopped parsley is my go-to garnish—it brightens the plate and adds just a hint of fresh herb flavor. Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra cracked black pepper on top for that delicate spice pop.

Side Dishes

This chicken pairs beautifully with buttery mashed potatoes or creamy risotto to soak up all that sauce. For a lighter touch, roasted green beans or a simple arugula salad provide a lovely contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve served this chicken atop wide egg noodles tossed in a little extra butter and fresh herbs—taking it from weeknight to celebratory. Plating with a sprinkle of crispy shallots instead of raw onions adds a delightful crunch and wow factor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce thickens as it sits but reheats nicely with a splash of broth or water to loosen it back up.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well, although the sauce’s texture changes slightly after thawing. I recommend freezing the chicken and sauce together in a freezer-safe container and thawing overnight in the fridge before reheating gently on the stove.

Reheating

Reheat leftovers slowly on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally and adding broth if needed, to preserve the creamy texture and prevent curdling. Avoid microwave blasts which can overcook and dry out the chicken.

Final Thoughts

This Sour Cream Onion Chicken Recipe has become one of my ultimate comfort dishes because it’s simple, irresistible, and perfect for all kinds of dinner occasions—whether it’s a quick last-minute meal or something to impress low-key guests. I genuinely hope you try it out and find yourself reaching for it just as often as I do. Trust me, your kitchen—and your taste buds—will thank you.

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