Description
This creamy chicken and spinach casserole is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, fresh spinach, and rich cream cheese, topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese. Perfect for an easy family meal, this casserole is baked to golden perfection, delivering a creamy texture and savory taste in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs), diced
- 4 cups fresh spinach (or thawed and drained frozen spinach)
- 8 oz cream cheese (regular or reduced-fat, or vegan substitute)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Ingredients
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
- 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup cooked ground turkey or beef
- 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (like parsley or thyme), chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook the chicken: Heat a skillet over medium heat with a bit of oil. Add the diced chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes until no longer pink. Season the chicken evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder while cooking.
- Wilt the spinach: Add fresh spinach to the cooked chicken in the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is fully wilted, stirring occasionally to combine flavors.
- Add cream cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the cream cheese thoroughly until it melts completely and blends with the chicken and spinach mixture, creating a creamy consistency.
- Prepare the baking dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Pour the chicken and spinach mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add cheddar cheese topping: Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded sharp cheddar cheese over the top of the mixture, ensuring even coverage.
- Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese on top is bubbly and lightly golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes after baking. This helps it set slightly for easier serving and enhances the flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for a juicier texture.
- For a low-fat version, use reduced-fat cream cheese and cheddar cheese.
- Add optional vegetables like bell peppers and mushrooms to increase nutritional value and flavor depth.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme add a nice aromatic touch; add them either cooked in the skillet or as a garnish before serving.
- Use gluten-free cream cheese and cheddar if preparing for gluten sensitivity.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
