The series was originally announced in May 2008 as 'Welcome to Mollywood', with the lead character named Molly; another working title was 'Welcome to Holliwood' before the character was renamed Sonny.

The show's concept as a 'hybrid' combining a sitcom with fully produced sketch comedy segments was inspired by the Nickelodeon series All That and NBC's 30 Rock.

Demi Lovato auditioned for both Camp Rock and Sonny with a Chance simultaneously in the summer of 2007 and ended up landing both roles.

Fellow Disney Channel actress Bridgit Mendler also auditioned for the role of Sonny before Demi Lovato was cast.

Sonny Munroe's character name changed twice during development, first from Molly to Holli, before finally becoming Sonny.

The Los Angeles Times critic Robert Lloyd speculated that the title 'Sonny with a Chance' was a play on the phrase 'chance of rain'.

When Demi Lovato entered treatment for personal struggles in late 2010, Disney Channel reworked the planned third season to focus on So Random! sketches, music, and guest stars as a temporary fix until her hoped-for return.

After it was confirmed in April 2011 that Lovato would not return, the already-produced third season episodes were rebranded and released as the spin-off series So Random!, which aired from 2011 to 2012.