Description
Comforting chicken and spinach casserole blends hearty ingredients with rich, creamy textures. Savory layers of tender chicken, wilted spinach, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly nights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (113 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, optional
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) olive oil, divided
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Dish Preparation: Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan and preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Chicken Preparation: Slice chicken breasts horizontally, gently pound to equalize thickness, then marinate in olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for 15-30 minutes.
- Spinach Transformation: Wilt spinach in a skillet over medium heat, creating a tender base for the creamy filling.
- Filling Creation: Whip cream cheese until silky, fold in wilted spinach, mozzarella, and Parmesan to form a luxurious mixture.
- Chicken Layering: Quickly sear marinated chicken to develop a golden exterior, then arrange in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Cheese Coating: Spread spinach-cheese mixture over chicken pieces, ensuring complete coverage, then generously sprinkle remaining mozzarella on top.
- Baking Finale: Place in preheated oven for 20-30 minutes until chicken is perfectly cooked and cheese forms a golden, bubbling crust.
- Resting Period: Let casserole rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and settle before serving.
Notes
- Marinate Mindfully: Allow chicken to soak in marinade for at least 15 minutes to maximize flavor absorption and tenderness.
- Spinach Sautéing Secrets: Drain excess moisture from wilted spinach to prevent a watery casserole and ensure a creamy, rich texture.
- Cheese Melting Magic: Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother blending and more even distribution throughout the filling.
- Temperature Triumph: Let the casserole rest after baking to allow juices to redistribute, keeping chicken moist and flavors more intense.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg