Description
Chicken and spinach casserole combines tender chicken with creamy, comforting sauce. It’s a reliable option for busy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2–3 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
Cheese and Dairy:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 pinch nutmeg
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray for smooth release.
- Shred 2 cups of cooked chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces using two forks, ensuring no large chunks remain.
- Sauté 4 cups fresh spinach in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until completely wilted and moisture evaporates.
- Blend 8 oz softened cream cheese, ½ cup sour cream, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 finely chopped small onion, ½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg until perfectly smooth.
- Spread the shredded chicken across the bottom of the prepared casserole dish in an even layer.
- Distribute the wilted spinach over the chicken, creating a uniform green blanket.
- Pour the creamy mixture evenly across the chicken and spinach, gently folding ingredients together without disturbing the bottom layer.
- Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese over the entire surface, covering completely.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese turns golden and edges bubble.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, helping the creamy texture settle.
Notes
- Drain spinach thoroughly to prevent a watery casserole and ensure a thick, creamy texture that clings perfectly to the chicken.
- Shred chicken while it’s still warm for easier and more consistent pieces that blend smoothly into the creamy sauce.
- For a low-carb version, swap out dairy ingredients with their plant-based alternatives like cashew cream and nutritional yeast.
- Season generously and taste the cream mixture before baking to guarantee a robust flavor that makes this casserole truly memorable.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 243 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg