Description
Creamy chicken and spinach casserole brings comfort straight from grandma’s kitchen to your dining table. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a nourishing meal that satisfies hunger and warms souls with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works well)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 (8 ounces / 226 grams) block cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
- ¼ cup heavy cream (or milk)
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped (or 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Garnish:
- Chopped parsley or fresh basil
Instructions
- Prepare oven environment by heating to 375F (190C) and lightly coating a 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Create a luxurious sauce foundation by whisking softened cream cheese with sour cream, incorporating Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, heavy cream, minced garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes until achieving a silky, uniform consistency.
- Fold tender, shredded chicken and finely chopped spinach into the creamy mixture, ensuring each ingredient is thoroughly distributed for balanced flavor profile.
- Transfer the integrated mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to create a smooth surface and generously sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese across the top for a golden, crispy finish.
- Position the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the edges become bubbly and the cheese transforms into a rich, caramelized golden-brown color.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes, enabling the ingredients to settle and intensify flavors. Optional: garnish with fresh parsley or basil for an aromatic touch before serving.
Notes
- Swap chicken with tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version that maintains the creamy, rich texture of the original dish.
- Reduce carbohydrate content by serving over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta or grains.
- Choose low-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt as healthier alternatives to standard cream cheese and sour cream without sacrificing flavor intensity.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time and store in refrigerator for quick assembly during busy weeknights, making meal planning more convenient and stress-free.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg