Description
Chicken and Spinach Casserole brings comfort straight to your dinner table with hearty layers of tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a rich, cheesy sauce that makes weeknight meals feel special. Grab some ingredients and get ready to create a delicious one-pan dinner your whole family will devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs / 680 grams)
Vegetables and Base:
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy and Seasonings:
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 milliliters)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth (240 milliliters)
- 2 cups short pasta (such as penne)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper evenly over 4 chicken breasts, ensuring complete seasoning coverage.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté 1 diced onion until soft and translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook for 45-60 seconds until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Toss 4 cups fresh spinach into the skillet. Stir until spinach wilts completely, about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup chicken broth, and 1 cup grated Parmesan into the skillet. Whisk until sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
- Arrange seasoned chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Pour cream mixture evenly over the chicken, coating each piece.
- Optional: Scatter 2 cups cooked penne pasta around the chicken if desired for additional texture.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes to ensure chicken cooks through.
- Remove foil and continue baking 15-20 minutes until sauce bubbles and chicken turns golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let casserole rest 10 minutes before serving, allowing sauce to set and flavors to meld.
Notes
- Chicken cooks more evenly when you pound the breasts to a uniform thickness before seasoning.
- Frozen spinach works perfectly if fresh isn’t available, just squeeze out excess moisture before adding.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories.
- Add shredded cheese on top during the final uncovered baking time for extra crispy, golden edges.
- Prep Time: 13-14 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg