My dad requested this for his birthday dinner instead of going out to a restaurant.
This Oven-Baked Sour Cream Onion Chicken uses just a few rich ingredients to create an incredibly tender, flavorful dish. The combination of sour cream and thinly sliced onions forms a creamy layer over the chicken, allowing it to cook gently in its own juices. As it bakes, the sour cream loosens and the onions soften and caramelize, blending into a smooth, tangy sauce that feels far more complex than the ingredients suggest.
Oven-Baked Sour Cream Onion Chicken (3 Ingredients)
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
- 2 cups sour cream
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp kosher salt (optional)
- ½ tsp black pepper (optional)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dish
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a casserole dish with butter or olive oil.
Tip: Make sure the chicken is completely dry by patting it with paper towels. This helps the sour cream stick better instead of sliding off during baking.
Step 2: Season and Arrange
If the chicken breasts are thick, gently pound them to an even thickness. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then place them in a single layer in the dish, leaving a little space between each piece.
Step 3: Add the Sour Cream
Stir the sour cream until smooth, then spread it evenly over each chicken breast, fully coating them. It’s fine if some of it pools at the bottom.
Step 4: Top with Onions
Distribute the sliced onions over the sour cream.
Tip: Spread them out loosely. Onions in the sauce will turn soft and rich, while those on top will brown slightly and develop a sweeter flavor.
Step 5: First Bake (Covered)
Cover the dish loosely with foil, making sure it doesn’t touch the topping. Bake for 20 minutes. This helps keep the chicken moist and starts softening the onions.
Step 6: Finish Baking (Uncovered)
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 20–30 minutes.
Check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. For a golden finish, you can broil it for 2–3 minutes at the end—just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
Step 7: Rest Before Serving
Let the chicken sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
Tip: During this time, the sauce thickens into a rich gravy. Spoon it over the chicken for extra flavor.
