🥘 Chicken and Spinach Casserole 🥘
Creamy, cheesy chicken and spinach casserole with a golden, bubbly cheese topping. Easy and comforting!
Ingredients:
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 454g)
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided (30ml)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (approx. 6g)
1/4 teaspoon salt (1.5g)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (1.2g)
2 cups fresh spinach (approx. 60g)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened (227g)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (113g)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, optional (50g)
Directions:
Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Marinate Chicken:
Cut chicken breasts in half horizontally to create four cutlets.
Pound the thicker ends to even thickness.
In a large bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon olive oil with minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Add chicken, toss to coat, cover, and marinate in the fridge for 15-30 minutes.
Cook Spinach:
Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add spinach and cook, stirring frequently, until wilted (about 2-3 minutes). Set aside.
Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture:
In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
Add wilted spinach, 1/2 cup mozzarella, and Parmesan (if using). Mix until smooth.
Assemble Casserole:
Take chicken out of the marinade, let excess drip off. (Optional: Sear chicken in the skillet for 1-2 minutes per side.)
Arrange chicken in a single layer in the baking dish.
Spread the spinach and cream cheese mixture over the chicken.
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top.
Bake:
Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
This creamy and cheesy chicken and spinach casserole is sure to be a hit! Enjoy! 🍴
