Description
Comforting chicken and spinach casserole delivers hearty nourishment with rich layers of creamy goodness. Mediterranean-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, promising satisfying meals you’ll crave repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 3 cups (720 ml) cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 4 cups (960 ml) fresh spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dairy and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 can (10.5 ounces or 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup (240 ml) sour cream
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
Optional Topping:
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Heat a large skillet over medium temperature and sauté diced onions with minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until completely wilted and moisture has evaporated, stirring occasionally.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
- Fold the cooked chicken and sautéed spinach mixture into the creamy sauce, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it uniformly across the surface.
- Generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire casserole.
- If desired, combine breadcrumbs with melted butter and evenly scatter over the cheese layer for added crunch.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the dish is thoroughly heated, cheese is completely melted, and top develops a golden-brown appearance.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help set the creamy texture.
Notes
- Swap cream of chicken soup for homemade white sauce to reduce sodium and control ingredients for a healthier version.
- Experiment with alternative protein sources like tofu or white fish for vegetarian or pescatarian dietary needs.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed almond flour to make the casserole celiac-friendly and lower in carbohydrates.
- Fresh spinach provides more nutrients compared to frozen, so opt for fresh leaves when possible for enhanced flavor and nutritional value.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg