This Chicken Spinach Bake is seasoned chicken breasts topped with a garlic and herb cream cheese mixture, fresh spinach, and melted mozzarella, baked to perfection. It is a flavorful dish that is great for any occasion, and it can be on the table in under 30 minutes! And, it is as easy to assemble as it is delicious! I also have a Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta you will love!
Chicken and Spinach Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken: Look for two boneless, skinless chicken breasts to use. Cut each in half vertically for a total of 4 pieces. Try to keep them similar in size for even cooking. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Chicken thighs would also be delicious; just adjust the cooking time as needed until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Cream Cheese: Ensure the cream cheese has come to room temperature before mixing it with the other ingredients. This takes 30 minutes to an hour, so plan accordingly. Mix in garlic, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.
How To Soften Cream Cheese Quickly
If you forgot to take out the cream cheese for this recipe, here are a couple of options to get it to room temperature quickly:
Warm Water Method: Place the wrapped block of cream cheese in a bowl of warm water for about 10-15 minutes. Flip it over every few minutes or so.
Microwave Method: Remove the cream cheese from its packaging and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave it on low power in 15-20-second intervals until it reaches the desired softness. Be careful not to overheat it, as cream cheese can quickly become too runny or even melt.
Red Pepper Flakes: Red pepper flakes, also called crushed red pepper, bring a little heat to the cream cheese mixture. You could leave those out if preferred.
Spinach: Fresh spinach is best. If using frozen spinach, thaw and drain it well before adding it to the casserole.
Cheese: Mozzarella cheese melts so well and creates an ooey gooey texture. If you don’t have mozzarella, you could try another kind of cheese. For a spicy kick, use pepper jack. Or, try cheddar, Gruyere, or Monterey Jack. A combination of cheeses would also be delicious.
Can I Prepare The Chicken Ahead Of Time?
Yes, you can get this chicken spinach bake assembled up to a day in advance. Once the recipe is prepared up to the point of baking in the oven, cover the dish. Refrigerate until ready to bake (up to overnight). Add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time since it will be starting from a colder temperature.
What to Serve With Chicken Spinach Bake
For a complete meal, here are some delicious options you could serve with the chicken spinach bake:
- Wedge Salad
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Carrots (Check out my Air Fryer Carrots.)
- Cooked Rice or Pilaf (Seasoned Rice)
- Mashed Potatoes (or Cauliflower Mashed)
- French Baguette
- Corn on the Cob
How To Store Chicken Spinach Bake
To store chicken spinach bake, first, let it cool to room temperature. Next, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat the casserole in the microwave or the oven. You can also freeze the casserole in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Chicken Spinach Bake
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half vertically for a total of 4 cutlet pieces
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 2 cups (60 g) fresh spinach
- 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Evenly season all sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place them in a single layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using) until well combined. Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the chicken.
- Place about ½ cup of spinach on top of each piece of chicken. Then, top each with about ¼ cup mozzarella.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is golden.
- Garnish with parsley. Serve
Did you make this recipe?
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
The Chicken Spinach Bake is absolutely divine! The chicken is tender, the spinach adds a nice freshness, and the creamy sauce ties it all together perfectly. It's definitely going on my list of favorite recipes!
Bella
Our Chicken Spinach Bake is great! The chicken is juicy, the spinach is vibrant, and that creamy sauce is just heavenly. It's definitely a dish I'll be making again and again!
Elizabeth
The Chicken Spinach Bake is impressive! The chicken is perfectly cooked, the spinach adds a lovely touch, and that creamy sauce is simply irresistible. It's definitely a winner in my book!
Selena
Our Chicken Spinach Bake is a winner! The chicken is moist, the spinach is fresh, and that creamy sauce is just to die for. It's definitely a dish I'll be adding to my regular rotation!
Annabelle
The Chicken Spinach Bake is fantastic! The chicken is tender, the spinach is flavorful, and that creamy sauce is pure perfection. It's definitely a dish I'll be recommending to all my friends and family!
Delicious. Had the dish assembled and baked in an hour. My husband prefers dark meat so I used 4 thighs. Recipe can easily handle 6. I substituted fresh basil for oregano and used sliced mozzarella. It is fancy (and delicious) enough for company.