Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese Recipe

Comfort radiates through this hearty chicken and spinach casserole with cream cheese that promises delectable warmth.

Creamy textures meld perfectly with tender meat and vibrant green leaves.

Weeknight dinners deserve something special like this satisfying dish.

Layers of rich ingredients create a magical combination you’ll adore.

Quick preparation means minimal effort for maximum flavor impact.

Nutritious spinach adds beautiful color and essential nutrients to every bite.

Serve this crowd-pleasing casserole and watch smiles spread around the table.

What Makes Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese So Good

• Boost Family Mealtime: Craft a creamy, comforting dish that brings everyone together with its delightful blend of tender chicken, silky spinach, and rich cream cheese sauce.
• Simplify Cooking Process: Create a one-dish wonder that minimizes kitchen cleanup while delivering maximum flavor, perfect for busy home cooks seeking a stress-free meal solution.
• Nutrition Packed Powerhouse: Combine protein-rich chicken with nutrient-dense spinach, offering a balanced meal that satisfies hunger and supports healthy eating without compromising on taste.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Adapt this recipe for various occasions, from weeknight dinners to potluck gatherings, impressing guests with its sophisticated yet approachable culinary profile.

What You’ll Need for Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the substantial base of the casserole.

• Cream Cheese, Sour Cream, Milk, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy ingredients that create a rich, smooth sauce and add depth of flavor.

• Spinach: Fresh green vegetable that provides nutritional value and color to the casserole.
• Garlic Cloves: Aromatic ingredient that enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Dried Oregano: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the dish's taste.

• Breadcrumbs: Adds a crispy texture to the casserole surface.
• Olive Oil: Helps achieve golden-brown color and provides a subtle richness.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb used for garnishing and adding a fresh accent.

How to Make Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese

Step 1: Prepare Oven And Baking Dish

Warm up the oven to 375°F and lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Chop Chicken

Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes that are roughly the same size to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

• Softened cream cheese
• Milk
• Sour cream

Continue mixing until the mixture becomes completely smooth and silky.

Step 4: Season The Sauce

• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Dried oregano

Stir thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly throughout the sauce.

Step 5: Combine Chicken With Sauce

Gently fold diced chicken into the creamy sauce, ensuring each piece gets completely coated for maximum flavor.

Step 6: Create Spinach Layer

Spread fresh spinach across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a vibrant green foundation for the casserole.

Step 7: Pour Chicken Mixture

Carefully pour the chicken and cream sauce over the spinach, making sure to cover the entire surface evenly.

Step 8: Add Crunchy Topping

• Parmesan cheese
• Breadcrumbs

Distribute these ingredients uniformly for a perfectly crispy finish.

Step 9: Enhance Browning

Drizzle olive oil over the breadcrumb layer to promote golden browning and add a subtle richness to the dish.

Step 10: Bake To Perfection

Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is completely cooked and the top turns golden and crispy.

Step 11: Rest And Set

Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to set and flavors to blend beautifully.

Step 12: Garnish And Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top to add a bright, fresh accent before serving hot.

Tricks for a Creamier Chicken and Spinach Casserole

• Dice Chicken Evenly: Cut chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking and prevent some pieces from being undercooked or overcooked.
• Choose Fresh Spinach: Use crisp, vibrant spinach leaves for the best texture and maximum nutritional value in the casserole.
• Control Moisture Levels: Drain excess liquid from spinach to prevent the casserole from becoming watery and maintain a creamy consistency.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of white wine to the cream cheese mixture for an extra flavor dimension.
• Perfect Golden Topping: Mix breadcrumbs with a little melted butter before sprinkling to create an extra crispy and golden-brown crust.

Tasty Variations for Chicken and Spinach Casserole

• Mexican Fiesta Casserole: Replace oregano with cumin and chili powder, add diced green chilies, top with shredded Mexican cheese blend, and garnish with chopped cilantro.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Bake: Swap oregano for dried thyme and rosemary, incorporate crumbled feta cheese, add sliced Kalamata olives, and sprinkle with za'atar seasoning.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Version: Substitute spinach with riced cauliflower, use almond flour instead of breadcrumbs, and add extra cream cheese for richness.
• Spicy Buffalo Chicken Casserole: Mix hot sauce into cream cheese mixture, top with blue cheese crumbles, add diced celery, and sprinkle with extra hot sauce before serving.

Best Pairings for Chicken and Spinach Casserole

• Savor Complementary Flavor Companions
• Crisp White Wine Pairing: Choose a zesty Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the creamy casserole's richness, enhancing the dish's delicate chicken and spinach flavors.
• Fresh Green Salad Side: Prepare a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette, adding tangy brightness that balances the casserole's creamy texture and provides a refreshing contrast.
• Roasted Garlic Bread Companion: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious cream sauce, offering a crunchy textural element that complements the casserole's smooth consistency.

How to Store Chicken and Spinach Casserole for Later

• Store leftover casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odor absorption.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2-3 months, maintaining best quality and taste.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even heating. Alternatively, reheat in a preheated 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until thoroughly heated.

Chicken and Spinach Casserole FAQs

• Is this casserole healthy?

Yes, it’s nutritious with lean protein from chicken, calcium from cream cheese, and vitamins from spinach. The combination offers balanced nutrition with moderate calories.

• Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Absolutely! Just thaw and drain frozen spinach completely to prevent excess moisture, which might make the casserole watery. Squeeze out extra liquid before adding.

• What type of chicken works best?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal because they cook evenly and absorb flavors well. You can also use chicken thighs for a slightly richer taste.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. When cut, it should look white throughout with no pink areas, and juices should run clear.

Chicken And Spinach Casserole With Cream Cheese Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Comfort meets elegance in this chicken and spinach casserole with cream cheese, blending hearty protein with silky greens. Creamy layers of rich flavor promise a satisfying meal that welcomes you to savor each comforting bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein and Vegetable:

• 2 lbs chicken breast, boneless and skinless
• 3 cups fresh spinach

Dairy and Binding Ingredients:

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Seasoning and Extras:

• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prepare for the casserole assembly.
2. Dice the chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized cubes, ensuring they are roughly equal in size for consistent cooking.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, milk, and sour cream, whisking until smooth and fully integrated.
4. Mince the garlic cloves and add them to the cream cheese mixture along with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano, stirring to distribute the seasonings evenly.
5. Fold the diced chicken into the creamy sauce, coating each piece thoroughly to ensure maximum flavor absorption.
6. Layer the fresh spinach across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a vibrant green base for the casserole.
7. Pour the chicken and cream sauce mixture over the spinach, spreading it carefully to cover the entire surface.
8. Sprinkle parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs evenly across the top of the casserole for a crispy, golden-brown finish.
9. Drizzle olive oil over the breadcrumb layer to enhance browning and add a subtle richness.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the top is golden and crispy.
11. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes to allow the sauce to set and flavors to meld.
12. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving for a bright, fresh accent.

Notes

• Slice chicken evenly to guarantee uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother blending and better sauce consistency.
• Swap spinach with kale or Swiss chard for different nutrient profiles and flavor variations.
• Reduce breadcrumbs for a lower-carb option by using crushed pork rinds or almond flour as alternatives.
• For dairy-free adaptation, replace cream cheese with cashew cream or dairy-free cream cheese substitutes.
• Fresh garlic provides more robust flavor compared to pre-minced versions, enhancing overall taste complexity.
• Allow casserole to rest after baking to help sauce thicken and flavors develop more intensely.
• Opt for chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier, more tender meat with richer flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 360
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 670 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg