Description
Hearty spinach artichoke chicken bake offers a comforting fusion of creamy textures and rich flavors. Home cooks can savor this simple yet elegant meal that brings Mediterranean warmth to dinner tables.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts (6–8 oz / 170–226 g each)
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach (packed, roughly chopped)
- 1 cup artichoke hearts (marinated, drained, roughly chopped)
- 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Mixture Preparation: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine chopped spinach, yogurt, artichoke pieces, garlic powder, and Dijon mustard, blending until ingredients form a cohesive, vibrant mixture.
- Chicken Arrangement: Layer chicken breasts in a rectangular baking dish, ensuring they are evenly spaced and positioned for uniform cooking.
- Flavor Infusion: Spread the spinach mixture generously across the chicken, creating a rich, even coating that promises deep, complex flavors and optimal moisture retention.
- Cheese Topping: Carefully place mozzarella cheese slices over each chicken breast, allowing slight overlap to ensure complete coverage and maximum cheesy indulgence.
- Baking Process: Transfer the dish to a preheated oven at 400ºF (200ºC), allowing the chicken to cook and the cheese to transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece for approximately 30 minutes.
- Final Touch: Verify chicken has reached a safe internal temperature of 165ºF (75ºC), then remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and intensify before serving.
Notes
- Maximize Flavor Blending: Thoroughly mix spinach and yogurt mixture to ensure every chicken bite bursts with harmonious taste sensations.
- Chicken Placement Matters: Arrange chicken breasts with space between them for even cooking and consistent heat distribution.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Use thin mozzarella slices for optimal melting and golden-brown coverage that creates a delectable crispy top.
- Temperature Precision: Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165ºF internally, guaranteeing safe and perfectly cooked protein.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 90mg