Creamy Herb Chicken Bake – The One-Sauce Comfort Dinner Recipe
This Creamy Herb Chicken Bake is a comforting one-dish meal featuring tender chicken breasts baked in a luscious, herb-infused creamy sauce made with sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and Parmesan. Enhanced with garlic, Italian seasoning, and optional sun-dried tomatoes, this easy casserole delivers a deliciously satisfying dinner with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Creamy Sauce
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Optional: ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Season the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Arrange the chicken breasts evenly in the prepared casserole dish.
- Make the creamy sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, grated Parmesan cheese, dried thyme, dried parsley, and paprika until smooth and well combined. If using, fold in chopped sun-dried tomatoes for added flavor.
- Combine chicken and sauce: Pour the creamy sauce evenly over the seasoned chicken breasts, ensuring each piece is generously covered. The sauce will appear thick but will loosen as it bakes, melding with the chicken juices.
- Bake covered: Loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil to keep moisture in. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the top of the sauce is lightly golden and bubbling.
- Rest before serving: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes outside the oven to let the sauce thicken slightly, making it easier to serve and enhancing the flavors.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh chicken breasts that are similar in size to ensure even cooking.
- Sun-dried tomatoes are optional but add a lovely tangy sweetness; you can omit them if preferred.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a healthier twist.
- If the sauce is too thick before baking, add a little extra chicken broth to reach desired consistency.
- Use a meat thermometer to check chicken doneness for perfect juiciness and safety.
- Leftovers can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Keywords: creamy herb chicken bake, baked chicken recipe, one dish chicken dinner, creamy chicken casserole, easy chicken bake
