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Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese
Laura

Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese

Creamy, cheesy comfort food ready in 30 minutes. This Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese features tender chicken, wilted spinach, and a rich cream cheese sauce topped with melted mozzarella.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 425
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened room temperature
  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or milk
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 cups cooked white or brown rice optional
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large skillet
  • Mixing bowls

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
  2. Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook until golden and cooked through, 6-8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
  3. Sauté vegetables: In the same skillet, add diced onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Wilt spinach: Add chopped spinach to the skillet and stir until wilted, 2-3 minutes. The residual heat will do most of the work.
  5. Make cream sauce: Reduce heat to low. Add softened cream cheese and heavy cream. Stir constantly until cream cheese melts completely and creates a smooth sauce.
  6. Combine: Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add Italian seasoning and stir everything together until well coated. If using rice, mix it in now.
  7. Assemble casserole: Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Top with 1 1/2 cups mozzarella and all Parmesan cheese.
  8. Bake: Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. For golden crust, broil for final 2-3 minutes, watching carefully.
  9. Serve: Let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

  • Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth, lump-free sauce
  • Frozen spinach works great - just thaw and squeeze out excess water
  • Add cooked rice or pasta to make it more filling
  • Leftovers keep refrigerated for up to 4 days
  • Freezes well for up to 3 months