Description
A creamy and flavorful chicken casserole featuring tender chicken breasts baked with a luscious mixture of cream cheese, fresh spinach, and melted mozzarella. This hearty dish is seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs, making it a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Spinach and Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 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 during cooking.
- Prepare chicken cutlets. Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thin cutlets. Pound the thicker ends gently to ensure even thickness, which helps the chicken cook uniformly.
- 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 this marinade to coat evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes to allow flavors to infuse.
- 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 to cool slightly.
- Mix cream cheese and cheeses. In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the sautéed spinach, 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese if using, until well combined.
- Optional searing of chicken. For additional flavor, sear the marinated chicken cutlets in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly browned, but not fully cooked through.
- Assemble casserole. Arrange the chicken cutlets evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture over the chicken. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the casserole. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the cheese on top is melted and lightly browned.
- Rest before serving. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and makes serving easier.
Notes
- For extra flavor, searing the chicken before baking is recommended but optional.
- Use fresh spinach for best texture; frozen spinach can be substituted but should be thoroughly drained.
- The Parmesan cheese adds a nice depth but can be omitted for a milder flavor or to reduce sodium.
- Ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) to avoid undercooking.
- This casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken casserole, spinach casserole, cream cheese chicken, baked chicken dish, easy chicken dinner
