Sour Cream Chicken Thighs

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Get ready for this delicious Sour Cream Chicken Thighs recipe! These skinless thighs are smothered in a sour cream and tomato sauce, topped with a mix of cheeses, and baked to perfection. It’s a fiesta of flavors that will have your taste buds dancing!

 

 

If you need a fast and easy chicken recipe, this baked sour cream chicken thighs dish is a winner. It cooks in 25 minutes and has less than 5 minutes of prep, so you can get a tasty dinner on the table in no time without standing over it!

Last night I ran home between child activities and practices, put this in the pan, started the rice in my instant pot, left to let it cook, and had a perfect dinner with so much flavor waiting for me when I came back.  

I am a big fan of 30 minute dinners that I don’t need to be watching in the kitchen the entire time. Especially when they taste so good that everyone eats them. 

And the nice part about this recipe is if you do have any leftover tex mex chicken thighs, you can use them as taco, enchilada, or quesadilla filling the next day. Or even on top of a southwest salad! 

You will want to keep this sour cream chicken recipe card close, so the next time you need a fast and easy meal, it is ready for you.

 

 

What Ingredients Are in Sour Cream Chicken Thighs?

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: the dark meat chicken cooks is so smoothly and softly that it is almost melt in your mouth tender chicken
• Sour Cream: smothers the chicken in creamy goodness
• Cornstarch: thickens the creamy sour cream sauce to a perfect consistency
• Oregano: adds a layer of herbal flavor to the dish
• Garlic Powder: the easiest way to get garlic note throughout the sour cream gravy
• Cumin: an important tex mex flavor spice
• Chili Powder: adds layers of smoky flavor with just a hint of chili spice
• Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: these have a deeper flavor than regular diced tomatoes that give you a more flavorful sauce
• Chopped Green Chiles: gives the dish a sweet and spicy twist
• Salt: balances the flavor of all the other ingredients
• Black Pepper: adds seasoning that helps you absorb the nutrients of the other ingredients
• Cheese: I like to use a combination of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Pepper Jack to bring out the flavors of the other ingredients
• Tomatoes: use fresh tomatoes for garnish on top of the chicken dish
• Green Onions: chopped up small these add a fresh note to the top of the cooked chicken
• Cilantro: fresh herbs add a bright finishing note to the dish

Pro Tip: Since this dish is cooked and mixed with strong ingredients and spices, if you prefer, you can substitute plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream. That will add extra protein. It will slightly change the flavor of the dish, but as it cooks, it will still give you a great Mexican smothered chicken dish.

 

 

How to Make Sour Cream Chicken Thighs:

1. Preheat the oven and grease the bottom of the pan with olive oil.
2. Mix sour cream, cornstarch, spices, fire-roasted tomatoes, and green chiles in a small bowl.
3. Arrange the boneless chicken thighs in a single layer in the dish, top with half the cheese mixture.
4. Pour the sour cream mixture over the chicken casserole and bake in a preheated oven.
5. Sprinkle the remaining cheese mixture on top of the chicken and bake until golden brown.
6. Check to make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 170-175 degrees no matter what the cooking time is.
7. Garnish with tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro. Serve over rice.

Pro Tips:

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure your baked chicken thighs with sour cream are cooked perfectly.
• Customize the spice level to suit your taste by adjusting the amount of chili powder and choosing mild, medium, or hot green chiles.

 

 

When to Serve Sour Cream Chicken Thighs:

This sour cream chicken thighs recipe is an easy recipe the whole family will enjoy. That makes it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering with friends. Everyone loves this dish.

What to Serve with Sour Cream Chicken Thighs:

I always serve sour cream chicken thighs with rice. I use plain rice, but I do love this Mexican Rice and Beans recipe too. Then add your favorite sides like homemade guacamole, or a fresh corn and black bean salsa. 

 

 

Can Sour Cream Chicken Thighs Be Made Ahead of Time?

Yes you can make sour cream chicken thighs ahead of time! The flavors get deeper with time. There are two best ways to do this.

1. Prepare the dish without cooking up to a day in advance, refrigerate, and then bake right before you are ready to serve it. 
2. Prepare and cook the dish completely. Refrigerate, then heat thoroughly before serving it.

I have served it both ways, and the sour cream marinade protects the chicken giving you melt in your mouth chicken sour cream no matter how you cook it.

Are Sour Cream Chicken Thighs Healthy?

While this dish is a little indulgent, it does use a lot of vegetables and protein in this dish. You can make it healthier by using low-fat sour cream or plain greek yogurt and reducing the amount of cheese you sprinkle on top. 

You could also serve it over roasted peppers and red onion or cauliflower rice for an extra veggie kick.

 

 

How to Store Leftover Sour Cream Chicken Thighs:

Store leftover sour cream chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave or chop leftovers small and use as enchilada or quesadilla filling.

Can You Freeze Sour Cream Chicken Thighs?

Yes, you can freeze sour cream chicken thighs. Store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months, then thaw in the refrigerator before reheating. 

I have also put this chicken thigh sour cream recipe straight in the oven from the freezer and just increased the cooking time until the internal temperature was safely cooked.

 

Additional Chicken Recipes You’ll Love…

• Lemon Orzo Kale Soup
• Thai Chicken Noodle Soup
• Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken
• Smoked Chicken Tacos
• Chicken Thighs with Spinach and Tomatoes
• Chicken Corn Chowder
• Sour Cream Marinated Chicken
• Korean BBQ Chicken Skewers
• Chicken Salad with Yogurt and Grapes
• Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad
• Chicken Cheese Enchiladas
• Grilled Chicken Carbonara
• Chicken Scarpariello
• Chicken Rice Enchilada Casserole
• Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

If you need easy chicken sheet pan dinners, this sour cream chicken thighs recipe is perfect with bold flavors and tender chicken every time you cook it.

 

Originally Posted: March 31, 2020

Photos & Text Updated: October 3, 2023