Description
This creamy chicken and spinach casserole is a comforting dish that combines tender chicken with vibrant spinach and rich cream cheese. Perfect for busy weeknight dinners, it’s a warm hug on a plate that your family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thin cutlets. Pound the thicker ends to ensure even thickness.
- In a bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Toss the chicken cutlets in the marinade, ensuring they are evenly coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes.
- While the chicken marinates, heat the remaining olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
- Set the wilted spinach aside and let it cool slightly. In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the spinach and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese (and Parmesan if using).
- Optionally, sear the marinated chicken in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Arrange the chicken in the greased baking dish. Spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture evenly over the chicken.
- Top the casserole with the remaining mozzarella cheese, sprinkling it evenly.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
Keywords: Don't skip marinating the chicken for enhanced flavor. You can substitute Greek yogurt for cream cheese for a lighter option. If using frozen spinach, ensure it's well-drained to avoid excess moisture.