Description
Whipping up this chicken and spinach casserole brings comfort right to your dinner table, melding tender chicken with creamy spinach in a dish that feels like a warm hug from grandma’s kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Dairy Ingredients:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
Seasonings and Additions:
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon paprika, and ½ teaspoon onion powder in a small bowl for the chicken seasoning.
- Rub the 4 chicken breasts with the spice mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes until shimmering.
- Sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side, creating a golden brown exterior that seals in moisture.
- Transfer the chicken to a clean plate and let it rest momentarily.
- In the same skillet, add 4 cups fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until it wilts and shrinks.
- Mix 8 ounces softened cream cheese, ½ cup sour cream, and 2 minced garlic cloves in a separate mixing bowl.
- Fold the cooked spinach into the creamy mixture until thoroughly combined.
- Spread half the spinach mixture across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange the seared chicken breasts directly on top of the spinach layer.
- Cover the chicken with the remaining spinach mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Sprinkle 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire casserole.
- Bake uncovered at 375°F for 25-30 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese turns golden and bubbly.
Notes
- Seasoning is key to building deep flavor, so take time to generously coat the chicken with spices before searing.
- Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes after searing to help retain its juiciness and prevent drying out during baking.
- For a lighter version, swap full-fat cream cheese and sour cream with their low-fat or Greek yogurt alternatives to reduce calories.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee safe cooking, using a meat thermometer for precise results.
- Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg