Description
Mexican-inspired Cheesy Sour Cream Chicken Casserole blends zesty flavors with creamy comfort. Hearty ingredients create a satisfying meal you’ll crave for family dinners and potluck gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.4 kg / 3 pounds)
- ¾ cup (180 ml) finely shredded Parmesan cheese
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (240 ml) rich sour cream
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 pinch of black pepper
- Cooking oil (for greasing the dish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray, ensuring complete surface coverage.
- Chicken Layering: Arrange chicken breasts in a single layer within the prepared dish, seasoning generously with kosher salt and black pepper to maximize flavor depth.
- Sauce Creation: Whisk sour cream, Parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic powder, cornstarch, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until achieving a silky, uniform consistency that will coat the chicken perfectly.
- Cheese Integration: Position a mozzarella slice atop each chicken breast, creating a rich, melty foundation for the upcoming sauce layer.
- Sauce Application: Distribute the sour cream mixture evenly across the mozzarella-topped chicken, ensuring complete and uniform coverage that promises exceptional taste in every bite.
- Cheese Topping: Liberally sprinkle remaining Parmesan cheese over the surface, developing a golden, crispy cheese crust that will caramelize during baking.
- Baking Process: Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and roast for 50-60 minutes, monitoring until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature and cheese transforms into a bubbling, bronzed masterpiece.
- Resting Phase: Extract the casserole from the oven and allow 5-7 minutes of resting time, permitting sauce to thicken and flavors to harmonize deliciously.
- Final Touch: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or chives, adding a vibrant, herbaceous accent that elevates the entire dish’s visual and flavor profile.
Notes
- Chicken Temperature Check: Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption, preventing potential foodborne illnesses.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded varieties for smoother melting and richer flavor development.
- Moisture Preservation: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil during initial baking to prevent chicken from drying out, removing foil in the last 15 minutes for cheese browning.
- Ingredient Substitution: Can replace sour cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter version without compromising the creamy texture and tangy flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 478
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 503 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 44 g
- Cholesterol: 138 mg