Cream Cheese Chicken & Spinach Casserole: A Comforting Delight
Want an easy, delicious, flavorful recipe? This Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese is sure to satisfy! This dish combines succulent, mouthwatering chicken breasts with a creamy spinach paste that will tantalize your taste buds. Making it for a weeknight dinner, or for a crowd or a potluck: This casserole always scores.
To help you make the most of your cooking experience, we’ll guide you through this recipe step-by-step, share tips on key techniques, and offer some fun hacks.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Now, this chicken and spinach casserole is:
• Simple to prepare: The ingredient list is short, and soy sizzles in a hot skillet in minutes; this is a weeknight framework if ever there was one.
• Familiar and delicious: The savory, cheesy, creamy spinach filling goes perfectly with a juicy piece of chicken—it’s like a little bite of heaven in every bite.
• Family-approved: Everyone from kids on up will love it, so there won’t be any grumbling at the dinner table!
• Flexible: It’s straightforward to adjust this recipe to your liking by simply making a handful of tweaks—you can add more cheese, use a different seasoning, or switch out the chicken for another protein.
Ready to get started? Let’s dive into the recipe!
Ingredients for Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese
Before you start cooking, gather the following ingredients:
• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts—chicken breasts are the perfect base for this casserole, providing lean protein and tenderness.
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided You’ll need some olive oil for sautéing the spinach and searing the chicken.
• 3 cloves garlic, minced—Garlic brings aromatic depth and flavor to the dish.
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning—a classic blend of herbs that adds a savory kick to your casserole.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt—to balance the flavors.
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper—a must for seasoning the chicken and adding some subtle heat.
• 2 cups fresh spinach: The fresh spinach adds a healthy touch to this creamy casserole and pairs wonderfully with the cheeses.
• The dish’s creamy, indulgent texture is primarily attributed to the 8 ounces of softened cream cheese.
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided Mozzarella melts beautifully, making this casserole extra cheesey.
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, optional Parmesan adds a sharp, nutty flavor that elevates the dish. You can leave it out if preferred, but it’s worth considering for the extra layer of flavor!
Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Set it aside for later.
Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create four cutlets. This helps the chicken cook evenly and faster, reducing overall cooking time. To ensure even thickness, use a rolling pin to gently pound the thicker ends of the chicken. This step helps the chicken cook uniformly, preventing dry edges.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken cutlets to the bowl and toss to coat the meat in the marinade. Cover the bowl and chill in the fridge for 15-30 minutes. This allows the flavors to infuse into the chicken, making it even more delicious!
Step 3: Sauté the Spinach
While the chicken is marinating, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the fresh spinach and cook, stirring frequently, for about 2-3 minutes until it wilts. Once wilted, set the spinach aside to cool. This step ensures the spinach cooks down properly and releases any excess moisture.
Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Mixture
In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy. You can use a hand mixer or a whisk for this. Once the cream cheese is smooth, add the wilted spinach and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. If you’re using Parmesan, add it here as well. Stir everything together until the mixture is smooth and well-combined. This will be the creamy spinach layer that gives the casserole its rich texture.
Step 5: Sear the Chicken (Optional)
Take the marinated chicken cutlets out of the fridge and let the excess marinade drip off. If you want an extra layer of flavor, sear the chicken for 1-2 minutes per side in a hot skillet. This step adds a little extra crispy texture to the chicken, but it’s entirely optional. If you prefer a quicker method, you can skip the searing and go straight to baking.
Step 6: Assemble the Casserole
Arrange the chicken cutlets in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture evenly over the chicken, making sure each piece is fully covered. Then, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese over the top for that gooey, melty finish.
Step 7: Bake the Casserole
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and lightly browned on top. To check the chicken’s doneness, you can use a meat thermometer; it should read at least 165°F (75°C) in the thickest part of the chicken.
Step 8: Let It Rest
Once your casserole is done, let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors settle and makes it easier to cut into.
Step 9: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the casserole with your favorite side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad. You’ll have a comforting, creamy meal that’s sure to satisfy!
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Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese
Description
This Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese is a rich, creamy, and easy-to-make dinner that combines tender chicken, healthy spinach, and melted mozzarella for a comforting meal your family will love. Perfect for meal prep or weeknight dinners, it’s a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish that’s both low-carb and gluten-free.
Ingredients
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tbsp olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 cups fresh spinach
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cut chicken breasts into cutlets, season with olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Chill for 15-30 minutes.
3. Sauté spinach in olive oil until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside.
4. Mix cream cheese, spinach, mozzarella, and Parmesan (if using) until smooth.
5. Sear chicken in a skillet (optional). Arrange in the baking dish. Spread spinach mixture on top and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.
6. Bake for 20-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
