The Best Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken Recipe Ever

Weeknight dinners become pure magic when you add this smothered cheesy sour cream chicken to your culinary lineup.

Comfort arrives in a creamy, golden-crusted package that whispers pure indulgence.

Rich layers of melted cheese and tangy sour cream create a remarkable flavor profile.

Tender chicken breasts rest beneath a blanket of velvety sauce that promises satisfaction.

Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, turning an ordinary meal into something spectacular.

Simple techniques guarantee success, even for novice home cooks.

You’ll want seconds of this irresistible dish that brings serious deliciousness to your table.

Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken That Hits Creamy Tangy Savory All At Once

• One-Skillet Wonder: Prepare the entire meal in a single skillet, minimizing cleanup and reducing dishwashing hassle for tired home cooks.
• Family-Friendly Comfort: Packed with creamy, cheesy flavors that appeal to both kids and adults, this chicken dish transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal everyone will love.
• Low-Effort Gourmet: Requires minimal cooking skills while delivering restaurant-quality taste, allowing even novice cooks to create a delicious dinner without stress or complicated techniques.

Sour Cream Chicken with Cheesy Topping

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the main star of the dish, best when fresh and boneless.

• Cream of Chicken Soup, Sour Cream: Creamy base that creates rich and smooth texture, provides depth of flavor.
• Milk: Helps thin and blend sauce ingredients smoothly.

• Onion, Bell Pepper: Fresh vegetables that add aromatic and subtle crunch to the dish.
• Tomatoes and Green Chilies: Provides slight tangy and spicy undertones.
• Garlic Powder: Offers consistent and concentrated garlic flavor.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and traditional seasoning.

• Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheese that melts beautifully and adds richness.

• Cooking Oil: Helps brown chicken and prevent sticking to the skillet.

Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken Cooking Method

Step 1: Sizzle Chicken Golden

Heat a splash of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Place chicken breasts into the pan and cook until each side turns a beautiful golden brown, spending about 4-5 minutes per side.

This step locks in amazing flavor and creates a delicious outer crust.

Step 2: Whip Up Creamy Sauce

• Cream of chicken soup
• Sour cream
• Whole milk
• Diced onion
• Chopped bell pepper
• Diced tomatoes
• Roasted green chilies
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper

Whisk everything together until smooth and well blended.

Step 3: Cascade Sauce Over Chicken

Pour the vibrant, creamy sauce directly over the browned chicken in the skillet, making sure every piece gets coated.

Step 4: Slow and Steady Simmer

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Lower the heat, cover the skillet, and let it cook for 20-25 minutes.

The chicken is perfectly done when its internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C.

Step 5: Melt Cheesy Goodness

Remove the skillet from heat.

Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chicken and stir until the cheese melts into a gooey, irresistible blanket.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Plate your chicken over fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or tender egg noodles.

Get ready for a mouthwatering meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!

Sour Cream Chicken Tips With Smothered Cheesy Layers

• Select fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts of similar size for even cooking and consistent flavor.
• Adjust milk quantity to achieve desired sauce consistency; less milk creates a thicker sauce, more milk makes it lighter.
• Remove skillet from heat before adding cheese and stir gently to ensure smooth, creamy melting without separating.
• Modify green chili and pepper quantities to match your preferred heat intensity, using mild or hot varieties accordingly.
• Sauté onions and bell peppers before adding to sauce for deeper, more developed taste profile and enhanced aromatic complexity.

Save Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken for Later

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or bags, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months for later enjoyment.
• Warm refrigerated chicken in a preheated 350°F oven, covered with foil, for 15-20 minutes until heated through and reaching 165°F internal temperature.
• Reheat individual portions on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.

Rich Matches For Sour Cream Chicken

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to complement the creamy, rich sauce and cut through the cheese's heaviness.
• Create Southwest Side Salad: Toss a fresh salad with mixed greens, corn, black beans, and a zesty lime vinaigrette to balance the dish's richness and add bright, tangy notes.
• Enhance with Cilantro Garnish: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro on top to introduce a vibrant herb flavor that elevates the southwestern-style chicken's complexity.
• Pour Refreshing Mexican Beer: Choose a light lager like Corona or Modelo to provide a cool, crisp counterpoint to the creamy, spicy chicken dish.

Sour Cream Chicken with Cheesy Styles

• Dairy-Free Deconstructed: Replace sour cream and cheese with coconut cream and nutritional yeast. Use dairy-free cream of chicken soup or homemade cashew cream sauce.
• Spicy Mexican Remix: Add chipotle peppers, swap bell peppers for jalapeños, include cumin and chili powder. Serve over Mexican rice with fresh cilantro garnish.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Base: Skip traditional rice or noodles. Serve chicken over roasted cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower for a keto-friendly alternative.
• Mediterranean Herb Transformation: Substitute cream of chicken with Greek yogurt, add oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Include kalamata olives and swap bell peppers for artichoke hearts.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

Yes, but thaw it completely in the refrigerator first and pat dry before browning to ensure even cooking and prevent excess moisture.

• What if I don't have cream of chicken soup?

You can substitute with cream of mushroom soup or make a homemade white sauce using butter, flour, and chicken broth.

• Is this recipe spicy?

The green chilies add a mild heat, but you can adjust by using mild or hot varieties, or omitting them entirely for a less spicy version.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Prepare the sauce and brown the chicken, then refrigerate separately. When ready to serve, combine and simmer until chicken is heated through and reaches 165°F.

Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets indulgence in this creamy Smothered Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken, where rich flavors meld into a mouthwatering main course. Generous layers of melted cheese and tangy sour cream create a luxurious dinner that brings warmth and satisfaction to your table.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds (0.68 kilograms) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Dairy and Creamy Components:

• 1 (10.5 ounces / 298 grams) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 (8 ounces / 227 grams) container sour cream
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
• 1/2 cup (56 grams) shredded cheddar cheese

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 (10.75 ounces / 305 grams) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat a large skillet with a thin layer of oil over medium heat, carefully placing chicken breasts to achieve a rich, golden-brown exterior, approximately 4-5 minutes on each side.
2. Create a robust sauce by thoroughly blending cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, diced onions, chopped bell peppers, crushed tomatoes with green chilies, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper in a spacious mixing bowl.
3. Gently cascade the vibrant sauce mixture over the perfectly seared chicken, ensuring complete coverage within the skillet.
4. Lower the heat, secure the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, and allow the chicken to simmer gently, transforming into a tender delicacy for 20-25 minutes until reaching a safe internal temperature of 165°F/74°C.
5. Remove the skillet from heat and introduce shredded cheddar cheese, stirring methodically until the cheese melts into a luxurious, creamy coating.
6. Transfer the succulent chicken and its accompanying sauce onto a bed of fluffy rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or tender egg noodles, creating a comforting and satisfying culinary experience.

Notes

• Enhance chicken flavor by marinating in buttermilk or yogurt for 30 minutes before cooking to ensure tender, juicy meat.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting green chili amounts or using mild/hot varieties depending on spice preferences.
• Swap chicken breasts with thighs for deeper flavor and more forgiving cooking method, especially for home cooks less experienced with meat preparation.
• Create a lighter version by using low-fat sour cream, reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup, and part-skim mozzarella cheese for health-conscious individuals.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 477
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 1070 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 39 g
• Cholesterol: 108 mg