Description
This Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese is a comforting and satisfying dish perfect for a family dinner. Tender chicken breasts are cooked with fresh spinach and blended with creamy cream cheese and sharp cheddar cheese for a rich, flavorful casserole that’s easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, diced
- 4 cups fresh spinach (or 10 oz thawed and drained frozen spinach)
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (optional)
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
Dairy and Cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese (regular or reduced-fat, or vegan substitute)
- 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme, chopped (optional, 2 tablespoons)
Optional Protein Additions
- 1 cup cooked ground turkey or beef (optional)
Other
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil (for skillet)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Chicken: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes until no longer pink. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to infuse flavor.
- Sauté Spinach: Add fresh spinach to the skillet with the chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach wilts and blends into the chicken.
- Add Cream Cheese: Remove skillet from the heat and incorporate the cream cheese into the mixture, stirring until it melts completely and combines to create a creamy texture.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the creamy chicken and spinach mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and spread it evenly. If using optional bell peppers, mushrooms, or cooked ground meat, mix them in now before transferring.
- Add Cheese Topping: Generously sprinkle shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole mixture to create a rich cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes after baking to set before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired for added brightness.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a juicier texture.
- Using fresh spinach provides a brighter flavor, but frozen spinach works well if properly thawed and drained.
- For a vegetarian or vegan version, use vegan cream cheese and omit the chicken or replace it with a plant-based protein.
- Adding diced bell peppers and mushrooms enhances the veggies, but they are optional.
- Make sure to drain any excess moisture from thawed spinach to prevent a watery casserole.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.
