Crispy Sour Cream and Onion Chicken

Published March 19, 2023

Crispy Sour Cream and Onion Chicken
Johnny Miller for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Rebecca Jurkevich.
Total Time
35 minutes
Rating
4(7,975)
Comments
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Picture sour cream and onion dip slathered on chicken cutlets, dredged in panko bread crumbs, and fried until crisp like a potato chip, and you’ll envision this recipe. The marinade doesn’t just deliver flavor here: The lactic acid in the sour cream also keeps the thin chicken breasts juicy. Shower the crispy chicken with fresh chives and lemon juice, or, if you crave something creamy for dunking, pair it with a dip of sour cream, lemon juice and chives.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings
  • 4boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved horizontally (see Tip) and pounded ⅛-inch thick, or use 4 chicken cutlets (don’t split or pound)
  • Salt and black pepper
  • ½cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • ¼cup thinly sliced chives (or 1 tablespoon dried chives), plus more for serving
  • 2tablespoons onion powder
  • 2cups panko bread crumbs
  • Canola oil, for frying
  • 1lemon, cut into wedges
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

989 calories; 68 grams fat; 8 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 38 grams monounsaturated fat; 17 grams polyunsaturated fat; 28 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 66 grams protein; 962 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Pat chicken dry, and season both sides with salt and pepper.

  2. Step 2

    In a medium bowl, stir together the sour cream, chives and 1 tablespoon onion powder. Season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken and turn to coat. (Chicken can sit in the marinade for up to 8 hours. Refrigerate, then let come to room temperature before cooking.)

  3. Step 3

    In a shallow bowl or lipped plate, stir together the panko and remaining 1 tablespoon onion powder; season with salt and pepper.

  4. Step 4

    Working one at a time, press the chicken breasts into the panko, using your fingers to pack the panko onto both sides of the chicken, and place on a large plate or a sheet pan.

  5. Step 5

    Line a plate with paper towels. Heat ⅛-inch canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Drop a piece of panko in: If it sizzles, the oil’s ready. Add a chicken cutlet (or two, if they can fit comfortably), and cook until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to the paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt. Repeat with remaining chicken, adding and heating more oil as needed, and removing excess panko from the pan with a slotted spoon.

  6. Step 6

    Serve chicken with more chives and lemon wedges for squeezing.

Tip
  • Freezing the chicken breasts for 15 minutes to firm them up will make slicing them through the middle easier.

Ratings

4 out of 5
7,975 user ratings
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Comments

Yes, you can bake them.. use a rack or line the pan with parchment paper, set your oven to 400-420 depending on your oven, spray the tops lightly with oil of choice, and bake 30 minutes. I have used boneless, skinless chicken thighs as well. Marinate all day, for the best flavor

I am going to make this with crushed potato chips in place of the Panko. I feel this is the hero(ic substitution) we all need right now.

Can these be baked instead of fried?

What a disaster. How is this a marinade? It was just a thick paste that balled up. Add some milk or something?

Does anyone know ... Do you wipe off some of the sourcream / onion mixture before pressing into breadcrumbs? Obviously not all of it, you need something for the breadcrumbs to adhere to ... but some of it? I ask because the sour cream feels a little thick. The chicken I used was on the smaller side, so I am wondering if there is too much. Thank you.

I haven't read all of the comments below but I do not know why, if you enjoy eating a delicious fried chicken recipe, why this isn't rated 5 stars all around. If you may not be experienced in the kitchen, I can see why some of the directions might not be succinct or daunting. By all means customize to your dietary preferences but at least consider the recipe first. The first time we made this, I added all of the onion powder to the wet mix. I didn't fully read the recipe. We love it! Thank you!

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