Creamy Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken Dinner (Print Version)

Hearty Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken. Tender chicken, rich sour cream sauce, and melty cheese. A comforting, easy dinner for any busy weeknight.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4-6 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Not Vegetarian, Contains Dairy

# Ingredients:

→ Main Components

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 yellow onion, chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Dairy Delights

06 - 1 cup full-fat sour cream
07 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
08 - 1.5 cups shredded cheese blend (Monterey Jack & Cheddar)

→ Flavor Builders

09 - 1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, grab those chicken breasts. I like to pat them super dry with paper towels – it helps them get a nice sear, you know? Then, if they're a bit thick, pound them out to about a 1/2-inch thickness. This is where I sometimes get a little too enthusiastic and make holes, oops! Season both sides generously with salt and pepper. Don't be shy, but remember we'll have a salty sauce too.
02 - Heat a large, oven-safe skillet (cast iron is my favorite for this Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken) over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of olive oil. Once it's shimmering, carefully place the chicken breasts in the pan, making sure not to overcrowd it. You'll want to sear them for about 3-5 minutes per side until they're golden brown. They won't be cooked through, and that's totally fine, promise! This browning step adds so much flavor, don't skip it like I once did.
03 - Once the chicken is seared, take it out and set it aside on a plate. Now, in the same skillet (don't clean it, those browned bits are flavor gold!), add another splash of olive oil if needed. Toss in your chopped yellow onion and let it soften for about 3-4 minutes, until it's translucent and smells amazing. Then, add the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until it’s fragrant – watch it closely, burned garlic is no fun!
04 - Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This is where all that delicious flavor gets incorporated into the sauce! Let it simmer for a couple of minutes to reduce slightly. Then, lower the heat to low. Stir in the sour cream, cream cheese, and Italian seasoning until everything is smooth and creamy. This step feels so satisfying as the sauce comes together, smelling incredible.
05 - Nestle those seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, making sure they're mostly submerged in that glorious, creamy sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the top of each piece of chicken. Then, sprinkle that generous layer of shredded cheese blend all over the chicken and sauce. I usually go a little overboard here, because, well, cheese!
06 - Pop the skillet into your preheated oven at 375°F (190°C). Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F / 74°C) and the cheese is bubbly and beautifully golden brown. The smell at this point is just heavenly, honestly. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving, it helps the juices redistribute. Get ready for some truly comforting Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overcrowd the pan when searing the chicken; it won't brown properly, and trust me, I learned that the hard way.
02 - Gently warming it on the stovetop over low heat is best. I microwaved it once and the sauce got a bit oily and separated—so don't do that lol.
03 - If you don't have chicken breasts, boneless, skinless thighs work beautifully and stay even more moist – I tried that once, and it was actually fantastic.
04 - I always serve it over fluffy white rice – it's just perfect for soaking up all that incredible sauce.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large oven-safe skillet (cast iron recommended)
02 - cutting board
03 - sharp knife
04 - measuring cups and spoons
05 - whisk

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 550-650
Total Fat: 40-50g
Total Carbohydrate: 10-15g
Protein: 40-50g

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