Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Mozzarella and Parmesan Recipe
This Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese is a comforting and flavorful baked dish featuring tender chicken breasts marinated in Italian seasoning and garlic, layered with a creamy spinach and cheese mixture, and topped with melted mozzarella. Perfect for a family dinner, it balances protein and greens with a rich cheesy twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 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 and prepare baking 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 the 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 the spinach: In a skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add the fresh spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Mix cream cheese filling: Beat the softened cream cheese in a bowl until smooth. Stir in the cooked spinach and 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. If using, add the Parmesan cheese as well and mix thoroughly.
- Optional sear chicken: For added flavor, heat a skillet over medium-high and sear the marinated chicken cutlets for 1-2 minutes per side until lightly browned. This step adds a deeper flavor but is optional.
- Assemble casserole: Arrange the chicken cutlets in the greased baking dish in a single layer. Spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture evenly over the chicken, then top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Bake until cooked: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly browned on top.
- Rest and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to settle before serving warm.
Notes
- Ensure chicken cutlets are pounded evenly for uniform cooking.
- Seared chicken adds extra flavor but can be skipped for a quicker prep.
- Parmesan cheese is optional but enhances the cheesy flavor profile.
- Use fresh spinach for best texture; frozen spinach can be substituted but should be thoroughly drained.
- You can prepare the casserole a day ahead and refrigerate before baking.
- Check chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee doneness.
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