Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese Recipe
This Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese is a creamy, savory baked dish combining tender chicken breasts, sautéed spinach, and a rich cheese mixture. It’s an easy and comforting main course perfect for family dinners, offering a delightful blend of flavors with Italian seasoning and mozzarella cheese baked to golden perfection.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Vegetables
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing spinach)
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prep Chicken: Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thin cutlets. Pound the thicker ends to ensure even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken cutlets in this marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes to allow flavors to develop.
- Sauté Spinach: Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the sautéed spinach, ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese if using until well combined.
- Optional Sear: For added flavor and texture, sear the marinated chicken cutlets in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes on each side until lightly browned.
- Assemble Casserole: Arrange the chicken cutlets evenly in the greased baking dish. Spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture over the chicken, then top with the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake 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.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving, letting the flavors settle and the dish cool slightly for optimal taste and texture.
Notes
- You can use frozen spinach as a substitute for fresh—just make sure to thaw and squeeze out any excess moisture to prevent a watery casserole.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months for longer storage.
- For a juicier variation, chicken thighs can be used instead of breasts.
Keywords: chicken casserole, spinach casserole, cream cheese chicken, baked chicken recipes, easy chicken dinner, creamy chicken casserole
