Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake (Easy & Cheesy!)

Get ready to discover your new favorite weeknight dinner. This Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake is the ultimate comfort food, combining tender chicken breasts with a rich, cheesy spinach and cream cheese filling. It’s a one-pan wonder that delivers a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort. If you’re searching for a recipe that’s guaranteed to impress your family and friends, you’ve found it. This dish is not only incredibly delicious but also surprisingly simple to prepare.

We’re talking juicy, perfectly cooked chicken enveloped in a luscious, garlicky cream sauce, all baked under a golden, bubbly layer of cheese. It’s the kind of meal that feels indulgent yet comes together quickly enough for a busy evening. Let’s dive in and make this irresistible dish.

Why You’ll Fall in Love With This Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

This isn’t just another baked chicken recipe; it’s a game-changer for your dinner rotation. Here’s why this Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake recipe stands out as a must-try meal that you’ll come back to again and again.

• Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of garlic, cream cheese, parmesan, and mozzarella creates a sauce that is rich, tangy, and perfectly savory.
• Simple & Quick: With straightforward steps and common ingredients, this dish is surprisingly easy to assemble. It’s a perfect example of a low-effort, high-reward meal.
• Family-Approved Comfort: This cheesy, creamy chicken casserole is pure comfort in a dish. It’s a guaranteed hit with both adults and picky eaters. Check out our other kid-approved chicken recipes for more ideas!
• Versatile & Customizable: It’s naturally low-carb and keto-friendly, but also easy to adapt with different cheeses or a pinch of spice.

The Key Ingredients for Success

The magic of this dish lies in its simple, high-quality ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to create the perfect bake.

For the Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Look for four large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts of similar size and thickness to ensure they cook evenly.
• Olive Oil: Used for searing the chicken to lock in juices and create a flavorful crust.
• Seasoning: A simple blend of sea salt, black pepper, and garlic powder is all you need to perfectly season the chicken.

For the Creamy Spinach Filling

• Cream Cheese: The foundation of our creamy sauce. Use full-fat, block-style cream cheese for the best texture and flavor.
• Spinach: Fresh spinach is recommended, but frozen (and thoroughly thawed and squeezed dry) works in a pinch.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best aromatic flavor.
• Cheeses: A blend of shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese ensures a perfectly cheesy, bubbly topping with a savory, nutty finish.
• Heavy Cream: Just a splash enriches the sauce, making it extra luscious.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make It

Follow these simple steps to create a flawless Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake every single time. It’s easier than you think!

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Chicken

First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it heats up, pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This is a crucial step to ensure a beautiful golden-brown sear. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet and sear for 3-4 minutes per side, until they are beautifully golden brown. The chicken won’t be cooked through at this point. Once seared, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Spinach Sauce

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the softened cream cheese, stirring until it melts into the pan drippings. Whisk in the heavy cream until the sauce is smooth. Stir in the fresh spinach, cooking until it wilts down completely. Finally, mix in half of the mozzarella and all of the Parmesan cheese. Season the sauce with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake to Perfection

Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, nestling them into the creamy spinach sauce. Top each chicken breast with the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C) and the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Chicken Bake

Want to ensure your Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake is absolutely perfect? Here are a few expert tips from our kitchen.

• Don’t Crowd the Pan: Use a skillet large enough to hold the chicken breasts in a single layer without overlapping. This ensures even cooking and searing.
• Bring Cream Cheese to Room Temperature: For a silky-smooth sauce, let your cream cheese soften at room temperature for about 30 minutes before you start cooking. This helps it melt evenly without lumps.
• Don’t Overcook the Chicken: The initial sear is for color and flavor. The chicken will finish cooking in the oven. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to guarantee juicy, tender results.
• Let It Rest: After taking it out of the oven, let the dish rest for 5 minutes. This allows the juices in the chicken to redistribute, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful.

Delicious Variations to Try

This recipe is a fantastic starting point, but feel free to make it your own! Here are a few tested variations that work beautifully.

• Add a Kick: Mix in 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes with the garlic for a gentle warmth.
• Incorporate Veggies: Sautéed mushrooms or chopped artichoke hearts make a wonderful addition to the cream sauce.
• Different Cheeses: Swap the mozzarella for provolone, white cheddar, or a Monterey Jack blend for a different flavor profile.
• Make it a Casserole: If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, simply sear the chicken, make the sauce, and transfer everything to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. For another great casserole idea, try our cheesy chicken and rice casserole.

What to Serve with Your Chicken Bake

This rich and creamy dish pairs well with a variety of sides. You can keep it low-carb or serve it with starches to soak up the delicious sauce.

• Steamed Vegetables: Simple steamed asparagus or broccoli is a perfect healthy pairing.

– Crusty Bread: A side of our homemade garlic butter breadsticks is essential for sopping up every last bit of the creamy sauce.

• Pasta or Rice: Serve over a bed of egg noodles, penne pasta, or fluffy white rice.
• Salad: A crisp green salad with a simple vinaigrette provides a fresh, acidic contrast to the richness of the bake.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions

This Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake is just as delicious the next day. Here’s how to store and enjoy your leftovers.

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover chicken bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Freezing

While you can freeze this dish, dairy-based sauces can sometimes separate upon reheating. For best results, freeze the assembled, unbaked dish in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking as directed, adding 10-15 minutes to the bake time.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions gently in the microwave or place the entire skillet back in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, until warmed through. Add a splash of milk or cream if the sauce needs thinning.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Delicious Chicken Dinner Recipes

FL Recipes

Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake (Easy & Cheesy!)

This Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake is an easy, one-pan weeknight dinner solution. Tender chicken breasts are baked in a rich and cheesy garlic cream sauce for a low-carb, keto-friendly meal the whole family will love.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 630

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x?

• 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts About 1.5 to 2 lbs total
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper Freshly ground
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 8 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
• 5 oz fresh spinach
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Equipment

• 1 Large Oven-Safe Skillet A 12-inch cast iron or stainless steel skillet is ideal.
• 1 Meat Thermometer Optional, but highly recommended for perfectly cooked chicken.

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken breasts dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
2. Heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. In the same skillet over medium heat, sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds. Add softened cream cheese and stir until melted. Whisk in heavy cream until smooth.
4. Stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts. Mix in half of the mozzarella and all the Parmesan cheese. Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Return the seared chicken to the skillet, nestling it in the sauce. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (165°F) and cheese is bubbly.
6. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 630kcalProtein: 55gFat: 45gFiber: 2g

Notes

Tip 1: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to prevent a lumpy sauce.
Tip 2: Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness to avoid dry chicken.
Tip 3: If using frozen spinach, thaw it completely and squeeze out all excess water before adding it to the sauce.

Keyword chicken bake,keto chicken recipe,spinach chicken

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