Get ready to transform your weeknight dinner routine with a dish that tastes like it came straight from a restaurant kitchen. This Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake combines the beloved, creamy, and cheesy flavors of classic spinach artichoke dip with tender, juicy chicken breasts. It’s a one-pan wonder that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, making it the perfect comfort food for any occasion. If you’re looking for a recipe that’s guaranteed to have everyone asking for seconds, you’ve found it.
This recipe is designed for the enthusiastic home cook who loves creating delicious, satisfying meals for their family and friends. It’s simple, straightforward, and absolutely packed with flavor.
Why This Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake Recipe is a Must-Try
You’re going to fall in love with this recipe for so many reasons. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience. Here’s why this dish will become a staple in your home:
Incredibly Flavorful: The rich and tangy cream cheese mixture, studded with artichoke hearts and spinach, creates a luxurious sauce that perfectly coats the chicken.
Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this bake is perfect for busy weeknights when you’re short on time but don’t want to compromise on taste.
Family-Friendly: The cheesy, savory flavors are a certified hit with both kids and adults. It’s a fantastic way to get some extra greens onto the plate!
Perfect for Meal Prep: This dish holds up beautifully, making it an excellent option for leftovers or for making ahead. Just reheat and enjoy a delicious meal in minutes.
The Key Ingredients for a Perfect Bake
The magic of this Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake lies in its simple yet powerful combination of ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the final, delicious product.
Your perfect weeknight dinner is served.
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The lean protein base of our dish. We’ll season them perfectly before smothering them in the creamy sauce.
Cream Cheese: For that signature tangy, creamy texture. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
Artichoke Hearts: Canned or jarred artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped, provide a briny, tender bite.
Spinach: Fresh spinach, wilted down, adds essential nutrients and a mild, earthy flavor. You can use frozen, too—just be sure to thaw it and squeeze out all the excess water.
Mayonnaise & Sour Cream: This duo adds richness and a slight tang, creating an ultra-creamy sauce.
Garlic & Onion Powder: These aromatics provide a deep, savory flavor foundation.
Cheese Trio (Mozzarella, Parmesan, Provolone): A blend of cheeses ensures the perfect melt, a bubbly golden-brown top, and a sharp, nutty flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your New Favorite Dinner
Follow these simple steps to create a show-stopping Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake. We’ll walk through it together, from prepping the chicken to pulling that bubbly, golden casserole out of the oven.
Preheat and Prep: First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then arrange them in a single layer in the dish.
Make the Creamy Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, onion powder, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix until smooth. Gently fold in the chopped artichoke hearts and wilted spinach.
Assemble the Bake: Spread the spinach and artichoke mixture evenly over the top of each chicken breast, covering them completely. You want a nice, thick layer on each one.
Add the Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and provolone cheeses over the top, followed by the remaining Parmesan cheese. This cheese blanket is key to getting that irresistible golden crust.
Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned on top.
Pro Tips from a Seasoned Cook
Want to guarantee your Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake is flawless every time? Here are a few insider tips:
Don’t Use Cold Cream Cheese: Ensure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature. This is the secret to a lump-free, perfectly smooth, and creamy sauce.
Squeeze That Spinach: If you’re using frozen spinach, you must thaw it completely and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Excess water will make your sauce runny.
Pound the Chicken: For more even cooking, lightly pound the thicker end of the chicken breasts to a uniform thickness. This ensures every bite is perfectly juicy.
Delicious Variations of Spinach Artichoke Chicken
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas to switch things up based on your dietary needs or preferences.
Low-Carb or Keto Version
This dish is already naturally low in carbs! To keep it strictly keto, ensure your mayonnaise and sour cream have no added sugars. Serve it with a side of steamed broccoli or a fresh green salad for a complete keto-friendly meal.
Adding Pasta or Rice
To make this a heartier casserole, you can serve the chicken bake over a bed of cooked pasta like penne or rotini. The creamy sauce is perfect for coating every nook and cranny. It’s also delicious served over white or brown rice. For an even easier meal, check out this dump-and-bake chicken alfredo rice casserole for another one-pan idea.
Spice It Up
If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture. A finely diced jalapeño would also be a fantastic addition.
Look at that creamy, cheesy goodness!
What to Serve with Your Cheesy Chicken Bake
This rich and creamy dish pairs well with a variety of simple sides. A light, crisp salad like a refreshing cucumber ranch salad can cut through the richness. For something heartier, consider roasted asparagus, steamed green beans, or a slice of crusty garlic bread to soak up any extra sauce.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
One of the best things about this Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake is how well it keeps. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave for a quick meal, or place it back in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. This recipe is also great for planning ahead; if you love easy crockpot meals, you should try our crockpot marry me chicken.
Absolutely! If you use frozen spinach, make sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out as much water as possible before adding it to the cream cheese mixture. This is a crucial step to prevent the sauce from becoming watery.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best for this recipe as they provide a perfect canvas for the creamy topping. You could also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but you may need to adjust the baking time slightly.
The most reliable way to check if the chicken is cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken should read 165°F (74°C). The juices should also run clear.
Yes, this is a great make-ahead meal. You can assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if it’s going into the oven straight from the fridge.
This dish pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. For a balanced meal, try serving it with a crisp green salad, steamed or roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli, or a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Your Next Dinner Favorite Awaits!
This Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake is more than just a recipe; it’s a promise of a delicious, stress-free meal that will bring everyone to the table. Give it a try, and let us know what you think in the comments below. For more easy and delicious recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
This is what dinner dreams are made of! So cheesy and delicious.
Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake Recipe
FL Recipes
Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake: The Ultimate Cheesy Comfort Meal
This Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake is the ultimate comfort food! Tender chicken is smothered in a rich, cheesy sauce of spinach, artichokes, and a three-cheese blend. It's an easy, one-pan weeknight dinner the whole family will love.
2lbsboneless, skinless chicken breastsabout 4 large breasts
8ozcream cheesesoftened to room temperature
1/2cupmayonnaise
1/2cupsour cream
14ozcanned artichoke heartsdrained and roughly chopped
10ozfresh spinachwilted (or frozen, thawed and squeezed dry)
3clovesgarlicminced
1tsponion powder
1cupshredded mozzarella cheese
1/2cupshredded provolone cheese
1/2cupgrated Parmesan cheesedivided
1tspsaltto taste
1/2tspblack pepperto taste
Equipment
1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
1 Mixing Bowl
Method
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper, then arrange them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, minced garlic, onion powder, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Mix until everything is smooth and well combined.
Gently fold in the chopped artichoke hearts and wilted spinach into the cream cheese mixture.
Spread the spinach artichoke mixture evenly over each chicken breast in the baking dish.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella, provolone, and the remaining Parmesan cheese over the top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (reaches an internal temperature of 165°F) and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 550kcalProtein: 45gFat: 40gFiber: 3g
Notes
Tip 1: For the best results, use freshly grated cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses often have anti-caking agents that can prevent them from melting as smoothly. Tip 2: If using frozen spinach, it is critical to thaw it and squeeze out all excess moisture to prevent a watery sauce. Tip 3: For even cooking, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before seasoning.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
