Description
Comfort meets culinary elegance in this creamy chicken and spinach casserole, blending hearty ingredients with delicate flavors. Savory chicken, tender spinach, and rich cream sauce create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Oils:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil, divided
Instructions
- Prepare a well-greased 9×13-inch baking dish and heat the oven to a toasty 400°F (200°C), ensuring an ideal cooking environment for the upcoming culinary creation.
- Transform chicken breasts into elegant thin cutlets by slicing horizontally, then gently tenderize with a meat mallet to guarantee uniform thickness and consistent cooking.
- Craft a vibrant marinade by whisking olive oil with aromatic garlic, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Envelop the chicken pieces thoroughly, allowing them to luxuriate in these flavors for 15-30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Wilt fresh spinach in a skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly until the leaves collapse and release their moisture, creating a verdant base for the dish’s creamy filling.
- Whip softened cream cheese until silky smooth, then fold in the wilted spinach, mozzarella, and Parmesan, creating a luscious, herb-infused mixture that will blanket the chicken.
- Extract the marinated chicken, allowing excess liquid to drip away. For enhanced depth of flavor, quickly sear each piece in a scorching skillet, developing a golden exterior before nestling them into the prepared baking dish.
- Lavishly spread the spinach-cheese mixture across the chicken, ensuring complete coverage, then crown with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella cheese for a decadent, golden-brown finish.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, baking until the chicken reaches a safe 165°F internal temperature and the cheese transforms into a bubbling, bronzed landscape.
- Grant the casserole a brief resting period, allowing flavors to harmonize, then serve alongside complementary sides like fluffy rice or a crisp, refreshing salad.
Notes
- Swap chicken for tofu or plant-based protein to create a vegetarian version that’s equally creamy and delicious.
- Reduce sodium by using low-fat cream cheese and unsalted seasonings for a heart-healthy alternative.
- Enhance meal prep by cooking extra chicken and freezing individual portions for quick future meals.
- Add red pepper flakes or cayenne for those who enjoy a spicy kick to transform the dish’s flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg