Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Melted Mozzarella Recipe
This Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines tender chicken breasts with creamy spinach and cheese. Marinated in garlic and Italian seasoning, the chicken is baked with a rich mixture of cream cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan, resulting in a delightful meal perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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 Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Slice and Pound Chicken: Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thin cutlets, pounding the thicker ends to ensure even thickness for uniform cooking.
- 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, cover, and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes to infuse flavor.
- Cook Spinach: Heat the remaining tablespoon of 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.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: Beat the softened cream cheese in a bowl until smooth, then stir in the cooked spinach and 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Add Parmesan cheese if using, mixing well.
- Optional Sear: For added flavor, sear the marinated chicken cutlets in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly browned, but do not fully cook.
- Assemble Casserole: Arrange the chicken pieces evenly in the greased baking dish. Spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture evenly over the chicken, then sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the cheese 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 meld and juices to settle.
Notes
- For extra flavor, searing the chicken before baking is recommended but can be skipped if short on time.
- If Parmesan cheese is not available, you can omit it; the dish will still be creamy and tasty.
- Use fresh spinach for best texture and flavor, but frozen spinach can be substituted if properly thawed and drained.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken during the searing step since it will finish cooking in the oven.
- Serve with a side of rice, pasta, or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Keywords: Chicken casserole, spinach casserole, cream cheese chicken, baked chicken recipe, Italian seasoning chicken
