This sour cream and onion chicken is the perfect answer to what’s for dinner. It’s flavorful, cozy, and surprisingly quick to make. Each piece of chicken is pan-seared until golden, then gently simmered in a creamy sauce full of soft caramelized onions and a tangy sour cream base. The result is a warm, satisfying meal that tastes like it took hours but comes together in only 30 minutes.
This dish fits beautifully into your everyday routine. It’s the kind of meal that feels special but doesn’t ask for much in return. There’s nothing fussy about it. Just solid ingredients, easy steps, and rich flavor in every bite.
Whether you’re cooking for family or just looking for something comforting after a long day, this recipe delivers the kind of feel-good food that brings everyone to the table.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s a lot to appreciate in this simple skillet dinner. First, the flavor profile strikes the perfect balance between savory and creamy, with a little tang from the sour cream and sweetness from slow-cooked onions. It’s hearty, homey, and rich without being heavy.
Second, it’s quick and requires no fancy equipment or special techniques. A single pan is all you need, and most of the ingredients are kitchen staples.
Third, the versatility is a big plus. You can pair it with mashed potatoes, rice, or even roasted vegetables. It works equally well for weeknight dinners or casual weekend meals. Everything about this dish is designed to keep things easy, approachable, and satisfying.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient here has a role to play, and together they create a creamy, comforting dish that’s full of flavor and texture.
Start with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Slicing them in half horizontally gives you four thinner pieces that cook faster and more evenly. This ensures the chicken stays juicy and tender.
Garlic powder adds a subtle depth of flavor when used as a seasoning on the chicken. Salt and pepper keep things balanced and bring out the natural savoriness of the dish.
Olive oil and butter work together to create a rich base for cooking. The olive oil handles the heat for searing, while the butter adds flavor and helps caramelize the onions.
A medium onion, thinly sliced, brings sweetness and body to the sauce. When sautéed slowly, onions soften into golden ribbons that melt into the sour cream mixture.
Fresh garlic adds a sharper, more pungent note that balances the richness of the sour cream.
Chicken broth loosens the sauce and picks up all the browned bits from the bottom of the pan, which means extra flavor without extra effort.
Worcestershire sauce gives the sauce a little edge — a complex, savory depth that brings the ingredients together.
Full-fat sour cream is the core of the sauce. It’s creamy and slightly tangy, and it blends beautifully into the other components without needing flour or thickening agents.
Chopped parsley is optional but adds a fresh finishing touch and a bit of color that makes the dish more visually appealing.
How to Make Sour Cream and Onion Chicken
This recipe comes together in a straightforward way, with each step building flavor as you go. First, the chicken is seasoned and pan-seared until golden and cooked through. Then the onions are slowly cooked down to bring out their natural sweetness.
Once the onions are ready, garlic, broth, and Worcestershire are added to the pan. The sour cream goes in last, turning everything into a smooth, creamy sauce. The chicken goes back in for a final warm-up and gets coated in the rich mixture just before serving.
It’s a satisfying meal that looks like it took effort, but it’s actually stress-free and incredibly rewarding.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thinner pieces. Season both sides of the cutlets with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat the olive oil and one tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once the pan is hot, add the chicken and sear each side for about five to six minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate.
Step 3: Cook the Onions
Lower the heat to medium. Add the second tablespoon of butter to the pan. Stir in the sliced onions and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and lightly browned. If the onions begin to burn, reduce the heat further and keep stirring to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Add Garlic and Deglaze the Pan
Add the minced garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce, using a wooden spoon to gently scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Step 5: Stir in the Sour Cream
Lower the heat slightly. Gently stir in the sour cream and mix until the sauce is completely smooth. Let it heat for 2 to 3 minutes, but avoid boiling to prevent curdling.
Step 6: Return Chicken to the Pan
Place the chicken back into the skillet. Spoon the sauce over each piece and allow the chicken to warm through in the sauce for another 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Finish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot with your favorite sides, such as rice, mashed potatoes, or green beans.
Helpful Tips
Thinly slicing the chicken ensures quick cooking and keeps the meat tender. Don’t skip this step, especially if using thick chicken breasts.
Let the onions cook low and slow. The goal is to soften and caramelize them, not rush through the process. This step gives the sauce its signature flavor.
When adding sour cream, keep the temperature low. Sour cream can curdle at high heat, so warming it gently helps keep the sauce smooth.
To thin the sauce if needed, add a small splash of extra chicken broth. This won’t dilute the flavor and will help achieve the consistency you prefer.
Use full-fat sour cream for best texture. Lower fat versions are more likely to separate when heated.
Details
Flavor: Savory, creamy, and lightly tangy with subtle onion sweetness
Texture: Tender chicken and a smooth, rich sauce
Occasion: Ideal for weeknights, meal prep, or relaxed family dinners
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Notes
If you prefer a richer version, boneless chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts. They may take a couple of extra minutes to cook through but offer a more robust texture and flavor.
Want to make it your own? Stir in sautéed mushrooms or a handful of spinach at the end for added depth. Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream, but it will result in a tangier and slightly thinner sauce.
This recipe is also great served over noodles or alongside crusty bread for soaking up the sauce.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 385 kcal |
| Total Fat | 26 g |
| Saturated Fat | 11 g |
| Protein | 29 g |
| Carbohydrates | 6 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
Nutritional estimates are based on typical ingredients and portions. Your results may vary depending on the exact products used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make sour cream and onion chicken ahead of time?
Yes. This dish can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat it gently over low heat to preserve the creamy texture of the sauce.
What cut of chicken works best for sour cream and onion chicken?
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal, especially when sliced into thin cutlets. Chicken thighs are also a great choice if you prefer darker meat and a more tender bite.
Can sour cream and onion chicken be baked instead of pan-fried?
It can. After searing the chicken and preparing the sauce, you can transfer everything to a baking dish and bake at 375°F for about 15 minutes until hot and bubbling.
How do you keep sour cream and onion chicken from drying out?
Avoid overcooking the chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F, then remove it from heat. Always reheat leftovers slowly and gently to avoid drying out the sauce.
Storage Instructions
Leftovers should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within three days. Reheat slowly on the stovetop over low heat or use the microwave at a reduced power setting. If the sauce becomes too thick after chilling, add a splash of broth or water to help loosen it. This dish is best enjoyed fresh and is not ideal for freezing, as the sour cream can separate after thawing.
Print
Sour Cream and Onion Chicken | A Comforting Weeknight Classic
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This creamy sour cream and onion chicken is a comforting, quick, and flavorful weeknight dinner. Tender chicken breasts are pan-seared and smothered in a rich, tangy onion sauce that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 medium onion, sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup full-fat sour cream
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
1. Slice chicken breasts in half to create four thinner cutlets. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining butter and sliced onion. Cook for 10–15 minutes until soft and browned.
4. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Pour in chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up browned bits.
5. Stir in sour cream until smooth. Warm gently without boiling.
6. Return chicken to skillet and spoon sauce over top. Heat through for 2–3 minutes.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Use full-fat sour cream for the best texture.
Add a splash of chicken broth to thin the sauce if needed.
You can substitute chicken thighs or add mushrooms or spinach for variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-Sear
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 3g
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Protein: 29g
Conclusion
This sour cream and onion chicken is everything a good dinner should be. It’s simple to prepare, full of flavor, and brings a touch of indulgence to your table without requiring hours in the kitchen. The creamy sauce, tender chicken, and comforting aroma make it a reliable favorite for busy nights and relaxed evenings alike.
If you try this recipe, we’d love to hear what you think. Share your version or tell us how you made it your own. Cooking is about connection, and this dish is the perfect place to start.