Description
Indulge in the creamy goodness of this Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese, a dish that combines tender chicken, vibrant spinach, and rich cheeses for a comforting meal perfect for busy weeknights. This easy-to-make casserole not only satisfies your cravings but also serves as a delightful option for leftovers throughout the week. With its cheesy filling and kid-friendly flavors, this recipe is bound to become a family favorite.
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 gently to ensure even thickness.
- In a bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken in this marinade until well coated. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes.
- In a skillet over medium heat, heat the remaining olive oil. Add spinach to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Stir in cooked spinach and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese (add Parmesan if using).
- Optionally sear the marinated chicken in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side.
- Arrange marinated chicken cutlets in your greased baking dish. Spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture evenly over each piece of chicken. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20-30 minutes until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and cheese is melted and lightly browned.
- Let casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole (approximately 195g)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 95mg