Benny blanco's company chicken recipe review: worth the hype?

Producer and songwriter Benny Blanco may be best known for his collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber, and more, but his passion for home cooking shines through in his debut cookbook, Open Wide. One standout recipe that's gained a loyal following is his Company Chicken and Company Noodles, a dish frequently requested by Lil Dicky, aka Dave Burd, who raves about his mom's version.

The recipe

To make this creamy, comforting dish, you'll need four boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sour cream, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and a blend of seasonings. The chicken is coated in a tangy sour cream mixture and then breaded with just 1/4 cup of crumbs before baking until golden and cooked through. Meanwhile, a rich cream sauce simmers on the stovetop with heavy cream, butter, Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of cayenne until thickened. Angel hair pasta cooks quickly and is tossed with the warm sauce.

Our test kitchen experience

While the chicken cooked beautifully, we found the thick sour cream batter made the breading soft and prevented it from browning crisply. Next time, we'll try panko bread crumbs for a crisper exterior. The pasta absorbed the sauce quickly, so consider saving some pasta water to add creaminess or reducing the amount of pasta for a richer flavor. A pinch more salt would also enhance the dish's overall taste.

The verdict

Benny Blanco's Company Chicken lives up to its popularity, offering a simple yet elegant meal that's impressive enough for company but easy enough for a Tuesday night. With minimal cleanup required and a familiar flavor profile, it's sure to please most guests. While our test kitchen notes some tweaks for optimal results, this recipe remains a winner.