Creamy Herb Chicken Bake with Crunchy Topping
Indulge in this wholesome and delightful Creamy Herb Chicken Bake with Crunchy Topping that will elevate your weeknight dinners. Packed with tender chicken breasts sautéed to perfection and smothered in a rich blend of nonfat sour cream and fat-free cream of chicken soup, this dish is both healthy and satisfying. Topped with crispy whole wheat cracker crumbs for a satisfying crunch, it's a comforting yet lightened-up version of a classic casserole that your whole family will enjoy. Ideal for busy nights, it's easy to prepare and ready in just about an hour—simplifying meal prep while still delivering on flavor. Enjoy guilt-free comfort food at its best!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon (For sautéing)
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 pieces (Trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces)
Dried oregano
1 teaspoon (Optional seasoning)
Dried basil
1 teaspoon (Optional seasoning)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon (For seasoning)
Nonfat sour cream
8 ounces (For creaminess)
98% fat-free cream of chicken soup
10 3/4 ounces (For creaminess)
Whole wheat Ritz crackers
25 pieces (Crushed into crumbs)
Light butter
1/2 cup (Melted for drizzling)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Lightly spray an 8 x 8-inch baking dish with olive oil cooking spray to prevent sticking. A glass Pyrex dish works wonderfully for this recipe.
3
Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, trimming away any excess fat.
4
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the extra virgin olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and dried basil (if using). Cook the chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is golden brown and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
5
Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
6
In a medium bowl, whisk together the nonfat sour cream and the fat-free cream of chicken soup until smooth. Spoon this creamy mixture over the cooked chicken, spreading it evenly to fully cover the chicken pieces.
7
Place the whole wheat crackers in a Ziploc bag and crush them into fine crumbs using a rolling pin or your hands. Sprinkle the crushed crackers evenly over the creamy chicken layer.
8
Drizzle the melted light butter over the cracker topping to enhance flavor and help it become golden and crispy.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the dish is bubbling around the edges.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Creamy Herb Chicken Bake with Crunchy Topping?
It is a wholesome casserole featuring tender sautéed chicken breasts smothered in a rich blend of nonfat sour cream and fat-free cream of chicken soup, finished with a crispy whole wheat cracker topping.
What type of chicken should I use?
The recipe calls for 4 pieces of boneless skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
What size baking dish is required?
An 8 x 8-inch baking dish is recommended, and a glass Pyrex dish works particularly well.
How do I prepare the baking dish?
Lightly spray the dish with olive oil cooking spray to prevent the chicken and sauce from sticking.
What oil is used for sautéing the chicken?
Use 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil.
How long should the chicken be cooked in the skillet?
Sauté the chicken pieces for about 8-10 minutes until they are golden brown and cooked through.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of dried oregano and 1 teaspoon of dried basil as optional seasonings.
What basic seasonings are added to the chicken?
Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of ground pepper while cooking the chicken.
How do I make the creamy sauce?
Whisk together 8 ounces of nonfat sour cream and 10 3/4 ounces of 98% fat-free cream of chicken soup until smooth.
What kind of crackers are used for the topping?
The recipe uses 25 pieces of whole wheat Ritz crackers.
How do I crush the crackers?
Place the crackers in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin or your hands to crush them into fine crumbs.
What is drizzled over the cracker crumbs?
1/2 cup of melted light butter is drizzled over the topping to help it become golden and crispy.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes.
How do I know when the chicken bake is finished?
It is ready when the cracker topping is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling around the edges.
Is this recipe suitable for a low-fat diet?
Yes, it is designed with nonfat sour cream, fat-free soup, and light butter to be a lightened-up version of a classic casserole.
How long does the entire meal take to prepare?
The dish is easy to prepare and ready to eat in just about an hour.
Are the dried herbs mandatory?
No, the dried oregano and dried basil are listed as optional seasonings.
How much sour cream is needed?
You will need 8 ounces of nonfat sour cream.
How much cream of chicken soup is required?
The recipe requires one 10 3/4 ounce can of 98% fat-free cream of chicken soup.
What is the order of layering in the baking dish?
First spread the cooked chicken, then spoon the creamy mixture over it, and finally sprinkle the crushed crackers on top.
Can I use regular butter instead of light butter?
While the recipe specifies light butter for a healthier option, regular butter can be used but will increase the fat content.
Is this recipe family-friendly?
Yes, it is described as a comforting yet healthy family meal that is ideal for busy weeknights.
Does the chicken need to be seasoned before or during cooking?
The chicken should be seasoned with salt, pepper, and herbs once it is added to the hot skillet.
What texture should the cracker topping have?
The topping should be crunchy, golden brown, and crispy.
What are the primary flavor profiles?
The dish features savory herbs, a rich creamy sauce, and a buttery, salty cracker crunch.
Can I make this in a larger dish?
The ingredients are portioned for an 8 x 8-inch dish; using a larger dish may result in a thinner layer of chicken and sauce.
What type of olive oil spray is best?
Olive oil cooking spray is recommended to keep the dish light.
Is the chicken cooked before it goes into the oven?
Yes, the chicken is sautéed in a skillet until golden brown and cooked through before being transferred to the baking dish.
What is the total number of ingredients?
The recipe consists of 10 primary ingredients.