Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole
A delightful dish featuring tender chicken, vibrant spinach, and a creamy cheese sauce, perfect for busy weeknights and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and sauté for another 2-3 minutes until wilted. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and shredded chicken, cooked rice, softened cream cheese, heavy cream, shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Add the sautéed spinach mixture to the chicken mixture and stir to combine thoroughly.
- Transfer the creamy chicken mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
- In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with melted butter and grated Parmesan cheese, then sprinkle over the casserole.
Cooking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For added flavor, consider incorporating mushrooms, bell peppers, or crushed red pepper flakes. Leftover rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time-saver. Always taste and adjust seasoning when combining ingredients.