Slow Cooker Sour Cream & Onion Chicken is a cozy, family-friendly dinner that practically cooks itself. Tender chicken simmers in a rich, tangy sour cream and onion sauce, soaking up all the savory flavor while you go about your day. Serve it over rice, pasta, or potatoes for a comforting, no-fuss meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 packet onion soup mix (about 1 ounce)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, onion soup mix, chicken broth, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker in an even layer.
- Pour the sour cream mixture evenly over the chicken, turning the pieces if needed to ensure they’re well coated.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, or until the chicken is very tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Stir well so the chicken is fully coated in the creamy sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or your favorite side dish. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley just before serving.
Variation
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for an even more tender and juicy result; cook for the same time, checking for doneness.
- Stir in 1 cup of sliced mushrooms or frozen peas during the last 30–45 minutes of cooking for extra veggies and flavor.
- Add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese at the end of cooking and stir until melted for a deeper, cheesy twist on the creamy sauce.
Cooking Notes
- Slow cookers can vary in temperature, so start checking the chicken for doneness on the earlier side of the recommended time range.
- If the sauce seems too thin after shredding, leave the lid off and cook on HIGH for 15–20 minutes to reduce slightly, stirring occasionally.
- For whole, non-shredded chicken breasts, remove them when cooked, whisk the sauce in the slow cooker until smooth, then spoon the sauce over the whole pieces to serve.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve over fluffy white rice, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes to soak up all the creamy onion sauce.
- Pair with a simple green vegetable like steamed broccoli, green beans, or a crisp side salad for balance.
- Spoon leftovers into a toasted bun or roll and serve as a warm, creamy chicken sandwich for an easy lunch.
Tips
- Spray or lightly grease the slow cooker insert before adding ingredients to make cleanup easier.
- For the best texture, avoid lifting the lid frequently while cooking, as this releases heat and can increase cooking time.
- If you prefer a stronger onion flavor, add an extra 1/2 teaspoon onion powder or a few thin slices of fresh onion to the slow cooker.
Prep Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on HIGH
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (LOW) or 3 hours 10 minutes (HIGH)
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Protein: 30 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use frozen chicken?
For food safety, it’s best to thaw chicken completely before adding it to the slow cooker so it reaches a safe temperature evenly. - Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Cook as directed, cool completely, and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth if needed. - Can I freeze this recipe?
Yes. Cool the cooked chicken and sauce, then freeze in an airtight container for up to 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. - How can I make this lighter?
Use light sour cream and trim any visible fat from the chicken. You can also increase the broth slightly and reduce the sour cream to 3/4 cup for a leaner sauce.
Conclusion
This Slow Cooker Sour Cream & Onion Chicken brings together tender, juicy chicken and a tangy, velvety sauce with almost no hands-on time. It’s a cozy, comforting meal that fits busy weeknights and lazy weekends alike just set it, forget it, and come home to a family-pleasing dinner bursting with creamy, savory flavor.
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Slow Cooker Sour Cream & Onion Chicken
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes (LOW) or 3 hours 10 minutes (HIGH)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free (if using gluten-free onion soup mix and broth)
Description
Slow Cooker Sour Cream & Onion Chicken is a cozy, family-friendly dinner that practically cooks itself. Tender chicken simmers in a rich, tangy sour cream and onion sauce, soaking up all the savory flavor while you go about your day. Serve it over rice, pasta, or potatoes for a comforting, no-fuss meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 packet onion soup mix (about 1 ounce)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the sour cream, onion soup mix, chicken broth, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker in an even layer.
- Pour the sour cream mixture evenly over the chicken, turning the pieces if needed to ensure they’re well coated.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or on HIGH for 3–4 hours, or until the chicken is very tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Once cooked, use two forks to shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. Stir well so the chicken is fully coated in the creamy sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or your favorite side dish. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley just before serving.
Notes
- If your sauce looks slightly separated after cooking, just stir well after shredding the chicken; it will come back together and turn silky.
- For a thicker, richer sauce, reduce the chicken broth to 3/4 cup.
- Always check your specific onion soup mix and broth labels if you need the dish to be gluten-free or lower in sodium.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6–7 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on HIGH
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g (approx.)
- Sodium: 900 mg (approx., will vary based on soup mix and broth)
- Fat: 18 g (approx.)
- Saturated Fat: 7 g (approx.)
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g (approx.)
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g (approx.)
- Fiber: 0 g (approx.)
- Protein: 30 g (approx.)
- Cholesterol: 115 mg (approx.)
Keywords: slow cooker sour cream and onion chicken, creamy chicken, crockpot chicken, easy weeknight dinner