Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese Recipe
This Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner. Tender chicken breasts are marinated in flavorful herbs, then layered with a creamy spinach and cheese mixture before being baked to perfection.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Marinated Chicken:
- 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
Creamy Spinach Mixture:
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cut Chicken: Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thin cutlets. Pound the thicker ends to ensure even thickness.
- Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes.
- Cook Spinach: In a skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Set aside.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: Beat softened cream cheese in a bowl, then stir in spinach and 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese (and Parmesan if using).
- Sear Chicken (Optional): Optionally, sear the marinated chicken in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side for added flavor.
- Assemble Casserole: Arrange the chicken in the baking dish, spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture over it, and top with remaining mozzarella.
- Bake: Bake for 20-30 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can customize this casserole by adding other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers.
- For a crispy topping, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the cheese before baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Chicken, Spinach, Casserole, Cream Cheese, Baked, Dinner
