Zesty Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole Recipe for Dinner

Comfort food takes on a whole new meaning with this creamy chicken and spinach casserole that promises to delight every taste bud.

Packed with tender chicken and vibrant green spinach, the dish creates a perfect harmony of flavors and textures.

Weeknight dinners never looked so appetizing or easy to prepare.

Layers of rich, velvety sauce coat each morsel, making every bite a celebration of home cooking.

The casserole brings together simple ingredients that transform into something extraordinary on your plate.

Cheese melts beautifully throughout, adding a golden, irresistible finish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Prepare to fall in love with this satisfying meal that turns an ordinary evening into a delicious memory.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

Chicken & Spinach Bake: The Ingredient Lineup

• Cream Cheese: Adds rich, velvety texture and tangy depth to the casserole, best when softened at room temperature.
• Sour Cream: Provides smooth consistency and subtle tang, enhancing overall creaminess.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky sauce that binds ingredients together.

• Parmesan Cheese: Brings sharp, salty flavor and helps create golden crust.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Delivers classic stretchy melting quality and mild cheese taste.

• Chicken: Tender protein that absorbs surrounding flavors, preferably pre-cooked and shredded.
• Spinach: Adds nutritious green element with earthy undertones, works best when thoroughly drained.

• Garlic: Infuses aromatic warmth and depth to the dish.
• Onion Powder: Provides subtle sweet and savory background notes.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle heat and complexity.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces subtle spicy kick.

• Parsley or Basil: Fresh herb that brightens dish with color and light, fresh flavor.

Must-Have Tools for Chicken Casserole Night

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining cream cheese mixture with smooth, even blending.
• 9×9-inch baking dish: Perfect for evenly spreading and baking the casserole.
• Cheese grater: Helpful for freshly grating Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise tools for accurately measuring ingredients.
• Mixing spoon or spatula: Needed for stirring and combining ingredients thoroughly.
• Sharp knife: Used for chopping spinach and any garnish.
• Oven mitts: Crucial for safely handling hot baking dish.

How to Make a Chicken & Spinach Bake That Hits

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375F. Grab a baking dish and give it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

• Whip Together the Creamy Base

In a big mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, mozzarella, and heavy cream until silky smooth. Sprinkle in garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and a dash of red pepper flakes for some kick.

• Mix and Layer the Goodness

Fold in your cooked chicken and chopped spinach, making sure everything gets coated in the dreamy cream sauce. Pour this delectable mixture into your prepared baking dish. Top it off with an extra sprinkle of mozzarella for that irresistible cheese pull.

• Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Pop the casserole into the hot oven and let it sizzle for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the top turns golden and the edges are bubbling with cheesy excitement.

• Serve and Enjoy

Pull the casserole out and let it rest for a quick 5 minutes. If you’re feeling fancy, toss some fresh parsley or basil on top. Then dive in and savor every creamy, cheesy bite!

Casserole Twists You Should Totally Try

• Cheese Swap Magic: Experiment with different cheese varieties like cheddar, gouda, or feta to create unique flavor profiles while maintaining the creamy texture.
• Low-Carb Champion: Replace spinach with cauliflower or zucchini for a lower-carb alternative that keeps the dish protein-packed and delicious.
• Protein Power-Up: Add extra protein by mixing in cooked bacon bits, diced ham, or shredded rotisserie chicken for more depth and richness.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Substitute cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives like cashew cream or coconut-based cream cheese to make the recipe suitable for lactose-intolerant or vegan diets.
• Herb Garden Twist: Enhance the flavor by adding fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or dill to the cream cheese mixture for an aromatic and vibrant taste experience.

Plating This Chicken Bake Like a Star

• Hearty Side Kick: Serve alongside fluffy white rice or buttery mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious creamy sauce.
• Fresh and Zesty Companion: Top with chopped fresh herbs like chives or green onions for a bright, crisp contrast to the rich casserole.
• Veggie Boost Plate: Add a simple green salad with light vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables to balance the creamy chicken dish and provide extra nutrition.
• Bread Lover's Dream: Pair with crusty garlic bread or warm dinner rolls to help mop up every last bit of the delectable cream cheese sauce.

Keep It Fresh: Chicken Bake Storage Tips

• Smart Meal Preparation: Cook extra chicken during weekly meal prep to quickly assemble this casserole without additional cooking time.
• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention and food safety.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Divide casserole into individual portions before freezing, allowing convenient single-serving reheating for busy weeknights.
• Temperature Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated or frozen casserole at 350F, covering with foil to maintain moisture and prevent cheese from burning – typically 15-20 minutes for refrigerated, 30-40 minutes for frozen portions.

Creamy Chicken And Spinach Casserole

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Creamy chicken and spinach casserole brings comfort to midweek dinner tables with unexpected richness. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients combine seamlessly, delivering hearty satisfaction you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works well)
• 1 (8 oz / 226 g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sour cream
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded (plus extra for topping)
• ¼ cup heavy cream (or milk)
• 2 cups spinach, fresh, chopped (or 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Chopped parsley or fresh basil (optional garnish)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent adhesion.
2. Sauce Creation: Blend softened cream cheese, sour cream, Parmesan, mozzarella, heavy cream, garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes into a velvety, homogeneous sauce, whisking until smooth and fully incorporated.
3. Ingredient Integration: Gently fold shredded chicken and chopped spinach into the creamy mixture, ensuring even distribution and a harmonious flavor profile throughout the casserole.
4. Assembly and Topping: Spread the mixed ingredients evenly in the prepared baking dish, then lavishly sprinkle additional mozzarella cheese on top to create a decadent, golden-brown crust.
5. Baking and Finishing: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, watching for bubbly edges and a rich, caramelized cheese topping. Once complete, let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify. Optionally, garnish with fresh parsley or basil for an aromatic flourish before serving.

Notes

• Optimize Cheese Temperature: Allow cream cheese to soften at room temperature for smoother blending, preventing lumpy sauce texture.
• Control Moisture Levels: Drain excess liquid from spinach by gently squeezing with paper towels to prevent watery casserole consistency.
• Customize Protein Options: Swap chicken with turkey, rotisserie chicken, or plant-based alternatives like tofu for diverse dietary preferences.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast garlic and onion powder briefly in pan before mixing to intensify their aromatic characteristics and develop richer taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 670 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg