Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken Bake Recipe
This Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken Bake is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a tangy sour cream and cheddar cheese mixture, topped with a crispy Parmesan and buttery cracker crust. Perfectly baked until golden and bubbly, it’s an easy and comforting meal for any night of the week.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Sour Cream Mixture
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup crushed buttery crackers (like Ritz)
Other
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Cooking spray or a drizzle of olive oil for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish using cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Mix Sour Cream Mixture: In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and all ingredients are well blended.
- Coat Chicken Breasts: Spread the sour cream mixture evenly over the tops of each chicken breast, ensuring they are generously coated for maximum flavor and creaminess.
- Arrange Chicken in Dish: Place the coated chicken breasts into the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
- Prepare and Add Topping: In another bowl, mix the crushed buttery crackers with the grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the coated chicken breasts to create a crunchy, cheesy topping.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. This helps the chicken cook gently and stay moist.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the topping turns golden brown and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove from the oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm for a delicious, satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked to 165°F for food safety.
- For extra crispiness, broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Substitute crackers with breadcrumbs if preferred, keeping the same quantity.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh green salad.
Keywords: cheesy chicken bake, sour cream chicken, baked chicken recipe, Parmesan chicken, easy chicken dinner
