Description
This Chicken Spinach Bake is a delicious, easy-to-make dish featuring tender baked chicken breasts topped with a creamy garlic and herb cream cheese mixture, fresh spinach, and melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, it’s baked to perfection and garnished with fresh parsley.
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). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.
- Season the chicken: Evenly season all sides of the chicken breasts with kosher salt and black pepper. Place the seasoned chicken cutlets in a single layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Prepare the cream cheese mixture: In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well until smooth and evenly incorporated.
- Spread the mixture on chicken: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the top of each chicken piece, covering it completely.
- Add spinach and cheese: Place fresh spinach evenly on top of each chicken piece, followed by a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the dish: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is melted and golden.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is cooked through by using a meat thermometer to check for 165°F internal temperature.
- Red pepper flakes are optional and can be omitted if you prefer a milder flavor.
- For extra flavor, you can add a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top before baking.
- Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
