Description
Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken is a hearty and flavorful baked chicken dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with a creamy mixture of sour cream, Parmesan, and herbs, then baked to perfection with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a comforting family meal served over rice and garnished with fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cheese and Cream Mixture
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (not powdered)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (not powdered), reserved for topping
Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, freshly ground
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground
Garnish
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly coat a 9×13 inch rectangular baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Make Sour Cream Mixture: In a bowl, combine the sour cream, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, and corn starch. Mix well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Add Mozzarella Cheese: Place one slice of mozzarella cheese on top of each chicken breast, ensuring full coverage for melting.
- Smother with Sour Cream Mixture: Spoon the prepared sour cream mixture evenly over each chicken breast, fully covering the mozzarella slices.
- Top with Parmesan: Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the smothered chicken for a crispy, cheesy finish.
- Bake: Bake the dish uncovered in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts, until the chicken is cooked through and the topping is golden and bubbly.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove from oven and serve the cheesy sour cream chicken over rice. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- Ensure chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking.
- If chicken breasts are particularly thick, consider butterflying them or pounding to even thickness.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than powdered for best texture and flavor.
- Cooking times may vary based on oven and chicken size, so check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for doneness.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a side salad for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
