Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing Recipe
Prepare to fall in love with ultimate comfort food: Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing! This bubbly, golden casserole brings together tender chicken breasts, a satiny onion-sour cream sauce, and a layer of herbaceous stuffing that’s perfectly crisp on top and cozy-soft underneath. It’s the weeknight dinner that’s as easy as it is crowd-pleasing, filling your kitchen with dreamy aromas and delivering spoonful after spoonful of pure happiness. Whether you’re feeding a family or just craving some classic American home-cooking, this dish promises the flavor, crunch, and creamy decadence you’ll want again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
One of the many reasons I adore Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing is just how accessible these ingredients are—each one playing a starring role, from juicy chicken to comforting stuffing. Here’s why you don’t want to skip a single component.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Turns tender and juicy under the sauce, soaking up all the good flavors.
- Olive oil: Perfect for searing, locks in juices and gives the chicken a crave-worthy golden color.
- Salt: Just the right amount seasons the meat and pops the other savory notes.
- Black pepper: Brings a subtle background warmth that perks up each bite.
- Condensed cream of onion soup: This creamy base adds rich onion flavor and blends beautifully with the sour cream.
- Sour cream: Delivers a luscious consistency and slight tang that cuts through the richness.
- Seasoned stuffing mix: Gives the dish its signature herby crunch and toasty top.
- Chicken broth: Moistens the stuffing and infuses it with extra savory depth.
- Butter (melted): Adds richness and helps the top crisp up to golden perfection.
- Shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese (optional): For those who love extra gooeyness over the stuffing crust.
- Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish): Finishes the dish with a splash of color and a pop of garden-fresh flavor.
How to Make Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Dish
Start by heating your oven to 375°F and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This small but important step guarantees the casserole lifts out beautifully and prevents any of that luscious sauce from sticking. Give your dish a quick spritz or swipe of oil or butter, so nothing gets left behind.
Step 2: Season and Sear the Chicken
Pat those boneless skinless chicken breasts dry, then season them on both sides with salt and black pepper. In a skillet over medium heat, swirl in the olive oil. Sear each chicken breast for 2–3 minutes per side, just until they turn a light golden brown (no need to cook them all the way through—they’ll finish baking later!). Searing brings out amazing depth of flavor that really makes your Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing special.
Step 3: Mix Up the Creamy Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of onion soup and the creamy, tangy sour cream. The result is a velvety sauce with true old-school comfort food vibes. The soup adds bold onion flavor while the sour cream smooths it all out to a dreamy consistency.
Step 4: Assemble the Layers
Spread a thin layer of your prepared onion-sour cream mixture on the bottom of your baking dish. Nestle the seared chicken breasts on top of this base, and generously cover the chicken with the rest of the sauce. Every bite will soak up that creamy, savory goodness!
Step 5: Prepare the Stuffing Topping
In a separate bowl, combine the dry stuffing mix with warm chicken broth and melted butter. Stir until all the stuffing is moistened — it should look fluffy but not soupy. This mixture becomes the scrumptiously herby, slightly crisp lid that makes Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing so irresistible.
Step 6: Top and Bake
Spoon the stuffing evenly over your sauced chicken. If you adore that cheesy topping, sprinkle the mozzarella or Swiss over the stuffing for an added layer of bubbly goodness. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes; then, remove the foil to let the top get golden and crisp, baking for another 10–15 minutes. The chicken should reach 165°F inside and the stuffing will be gorgeously browned at the edges.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Let your casserole rest a few minutes out of the oven, then shower it with fresh parsley. The pop of green looks beautiful against the golden stuffing and signals freshness, making every serving look as inviting as it tastes.
How to Serve Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing
Garnishes
A finishing flourish of chopped fresh parsley is classic for this dish, adding brightness and a little herbaceous lift. If you want to get extra fancy, try a sprinkle of crisp fried onions or a light dusting of paprika for color and a hint of smokiness. These garnishes not only make your Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing look even more inviting, but they offer a tiny burst of extra flavor.
Side Dishes
Though this casserole is hearty and satisfying on its own, I love to serve it with a chilled salad (think leafy greens with vinaigrette) or simple steamed veggies like broccoli or green beans. The freshness helps balance the richness. For truly hungry crowds or special occasions, a scoop of mashed potatoes or roasted root vegetables fits right in, rounding out that classic comfort food experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For family-style comfort, simply bring the bubbling casserole to the table and serve straight from the dish. If you want something a bit more elegant, try plating individual portions with the stuffing layer on top, then garnish with parsley and maybe a drizzle of extra sauce. For a festive occasion, bake the Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing in smaller, single-serve ramekins—a guaranteed showstopper for dinner parties!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing will keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days. Transfer the casserole to an airtight container, or cover your baking dish tightly with foil or plastic wrap. The flavors actually get even better after a night in the fridge, and the stuffing stays satisfyingly moist.
Freezing
You can freeze this dish for longer storage—just let it cool completely first, then wrap individual portions or the whole casserole tightly in plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. The creamy sauce and stuffing usually hold up quite well, though the texture may be a bit softer after freezing.
Reheating
To reheat, warm portions in a 350°F oven, covered, until hot throughout (about 20–30 minutes for larger portions). If you want to revitalize the stuffing top, uncover for the last 5 minutes to re-crisp. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave, but the oven method best preserves that delightful texture contrast between creamy sauce and toasty stuffing.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully in Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing, bringing a bit more juiciness and flavor. Just be sure they cook through to an internal temp of 165°F for safety, as they can be a bit thicker than breasts.
What can I use if I can’t find cream of onion soup?
No worries—cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup are both tasty substitutes and will blend perfectly with the sour cream sauce. You could even try a homemade onion white sauce if you’re in the mood for a little from-scratch cooking.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Definitely! Assemble the entire Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing up to a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Let it sit at room temperature while the oven preheats, then bake as directed. It’s a fantastic make-ahead option for busy days or entertaining.
Is there a way to make it lighter?
Yes, you can use reduced-fat soups, light sour cream, or swap in plain Greek yogurt for the sour cream. Choose a whole wheat or reduced-calorie stuffing mix, and cut back a bit on the butter and cheese. You’ll get a lighter dish that still has that irresistible creamy, cozy character.
Can I add vegetables to this casserole?
Absolutely! Add a handful of sautéed onions, mushrooms, or even spinach to the stuffing mix before baking. You could also scatter in frozen mixed veggies between the chicken and sauce layers for a little extra color, nutrition, and heartiness.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a comforting, shareable dish that always draws a crowd, Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing is about to be your new favorite. Give this recipe a try soon, and let its creamy, savory magic transform even the busiest weeknight—or make your next family gathering a little more delicious!
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Creamy Onion Chicken Bake with Stuffing Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and creamy chicken bake with a savory stuffing layer, this Creamy Onion Chicken Bake is a delicious and easy-to-make dish perfect for a weeknight family dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of onion soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
For the Stuffing:
- 1 box (6 oz) seasoned stuffing mix
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or Swiss cheese (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sear the chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then sear in olive oil until lightly browned.
- Prepare the sauce: Whisk together cream of onion soup and sour cream, then spread a layer in the baking dish.
- Assemble the dish: Place seared chicken on top of the sauce, cover with remaining sauce, and top with stuffing mixture.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until golden and chicken reaches 165°F.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- You can use cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup as substitutes.
- For added flavor, consider adding sautéed onions or mushrooms to the stuffing mix.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with stuffing
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 940mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
