Description
This Chicken Spinach Bake is a quick and delicious oven-baked recipe featuring tender chicken breasts topped with a flavorful cream cheese and garlic mixture, fresh spinach, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, it combines creamy, savory, and cheesy elements with a hint of spice, all ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half vertically for a total of 4 cutlet pieces
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Toppings
- 2 cups (60 g) fresh spinach
- 1 cup (113 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside to prepare for baking.
- Season the chicken: Evenly season all sides of the chicken breasts with kosher salt and black pepper. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer at the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the cream cheese mixture: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the softened cream cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using) until smooth and combined. Spread this mixture evenly over the top of each chicken piece.
- Add spinach and cheese: Place fresh spinach leaves evenly over the cream cheese layer on each chicken piece. Then, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously on top of the spinach.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm for a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can omit red pepper flakes if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Check chicken temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure it is cooked thoroughly.
- Feel free to substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach (thawed and drained) if fresh is unavailable.
- This dish pairs well with rice, pasta, or a light salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
