Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese Recipe
This Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese is a comforting and creamy baked dish perfect for a hearty dinner. Tender chicken cutlets are marinated with garlic and Italian seasoning, layered with sautéed spinach and a rich cream cheese mixture, then baked until golden and bubbly. It’s a delicious way to enjoy a flavorful, cheesy, and nutritious meal in under an hour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Spinach and Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare chicken cutlets: Cut each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thin cutlets. Pound the thicker ends to ensure even thickness for consistent 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 build flavor.
- Sauté 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 to cool slightly.
- Mix cream cheese and cheese: In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the sautéed spinach, ½ cup shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese if using, to create a creamy spinach mixture.
- Optional sear of chicken: For enhanced flavor, sear the marinated chicken cutlets in a hot skillet for 1-2 minutes on each side until lightly browned but not cooked through.
- Assemble casserole: Arrange the chicken cutlets evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake the casserole: Bake in the preheated oven 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 casserole from oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and the casserole to set.
Notes
- For extra flavor, searing the chicken before baking is recommended but optional.
- Use fresh spinach for best texture, but frozen spinach (thawed and drained) can be substituted.
- Parmesan cheese adds a salty depth but can be omitted for a milder dish.
- Ensure chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) before serving.
- This casserole can be prepared ahead by assembling it and storing it in the fridge before baking.
Keywords: Chicken casserole, spinach casserole, cream cheese chicken, baked chicken casserole, easy dinner, creamy spinach chicken
