Description
This creamy and comforting Chicken and Spinach Casserole combines tender cooked chicken, sautéed fresh spinach, and a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Enhanced with garlic, basil, and savory cheeses, this baked casserole is topped with a crunchy breadcrumb layer for added texture, making it a perfect hearty dinner that’s simple to prepare and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Spinach Mixture
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
- 10 oz fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Dairy and Sauce
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup chicken broth
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cheese Topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to warm up while preparing the casserole.
- Sauté garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Wilt the spinach: Add chopped spinach to the skillet and sauté until fully wilted. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Prepare the creamy mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, chicken broth, onion powder, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine chicken and spinach: Mix the cooked chicken and sautéed spinach into the creamy mixture, ensuring all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Assemble the casserole: Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
- Add cheese topping: In a separate bowl, mix shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the cheese blend evenly over the casserole.
- Optional breadcrumb topping: For a crunchy finish, sprinkle 1/4 cup breadcrumbs evenly over the cheese layer.
- Bake the casserole: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
- Rest and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken such as rotisserie, grilled, or leftover baked chicken.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with frozen chopped spinach; thaw and drain excess moisture before using.
- For a lower-fat version, substitute light cream cheese and sour cream.
- Breadcrumb topping is optional but adds a nice crunchy texture contrast.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to ensure smooth mixing.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; increase baking time slightly if baking straight from the fridge.
