Creamy Chicken & Spinach Casserole with Melted Mozzarella Recipe
This Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese is a creamy, savory baked dish featuring tender chicken breasts layered with a flavorful spinach and cheese mixture. Enhanced with garlic, Italian seasoning, and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, this comforting casserole is perfect for a hearty family dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Spinach Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
Topping
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut each chicken breast horizontally in half to create four thin cutlets. Pound the thicker ends to ensure even thickness for uniform cooking.
- Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken cutlets in this marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes to infuse flavors.
- Cook Spinach: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Mix Cheese and Spinach: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the cooked spinach, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese if using, creating a creamy spinach mixture.
- Sear Chicken (Optional): For added flavor, sear the marinated chicken cutlets in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly browned but not fully cooked.
- Assemble Casserole: Arrange the chicken cutlets evenly in the greased baking dish. Spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture over the chicken. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
- 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 topping is melted and lightly browned.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to set.
Notes
- For a stronger flavor, you can increase the garlic amount to 4 cloves.
- Pounding the chicken ensures even cooking and tenderness.
- Searing the chicken before baking is optional but adds a nice caramelized flavor and texture.
- Feel free to substitute spinach with kale or Swiss chard if preferred.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but adds an extra layer of richness.
- Make sure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) before serving.
Keywords: chicken casserole, spinach casserole, cream cheese chicken, baked chicken recipe, creamy chicken dish, healthy casserole
