Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Melty Mozzarella Recipe
This Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender chicken breasts with creamy spinach and melted cheeses. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, it features a delicious blend of Italian seasoning, garlic, and a creamy cheese sauce that bakes to a golden perfection.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Spinach and Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken Cutlets: Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thin cutlets. Pound the thicker ends to ensure even thickness, which helps in uniform cooking.
- Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken cutlets in the marinade, cover the bowl, and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Cook 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 to cool slightly.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: Beat the softened cream cheese in a bowl until smooth. Stir in the cooked spinach, ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese if using, mixing until well combined.
- Optional Sear Chicken: For added flavor, sear the marinated chicken cutlets in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly browned.
- Assemble the Casserole: Arrange the chicken cutlets evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture over the chicken, then top with the remaining ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Place the baking dish 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 on top.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and the casserole to firm up for easier slicing.
Notes
- You can use frozen spinach; just thaw and squeeze out any excess moisture before using.
- Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Chicken thighs can be substituted for breasts if you prefer a juicier texture.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes or fresh herbs like basil or parsley before serving.
Keywords: chicken casserole, spinach casserole, cream cheese chicken, baked chicken recipe, easy dinner recipe, chicken and cheese bake
