Quick & Flavorful Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake Recipe for Dinner

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this creamy spinach chicken bake recipe delivers pure comfort without complicated steps.

Tender chicken breasts nestle into a rich, velvety sauce that promises instant satisfaction.

spinach adds vibrant color and nutritious depth to every delectable bite.

The combination of melted cheese and herbs creates a mouthwatering aroma that fills your kitchen.

Packed with protein and greens, this dish becomes an instant favorite for anyone seeking a hearty meal.

Home cooks will appreciate how effortlessly this recipe comes together with minimal preparation.

Dig into a plate of pure deliciousness that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dinner.

How to Assemble and Bake Spinach Chicken

• Chicken Preparation

Lightly grease a baking dish. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook chicken in a skillet with butter until golden brown on both sides. Set chicken aside and keep warm.

• Sauce Creation

In the same skillet, sauté onions until soft. Add garlic and cook briefly. Pour chicken broth, scraping pan’s brown bits. Reduce liquid by half. Stir in cream and reduce again.

• Spinach and Cheese Integration

Add spinach to skillet, letting it wilt. Return chicken to pan, allowing sauce to simmer and thicken. Transfer chicken to baking dish. Top with creamy spinach mixture.

• Final Touch

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the dish. Place under broiler until cheese melts and turns golden. Finish with a light dusting of nutmeg and fresh parsley before serving.

Tips for Richness and Spinach Texture

• Chicken Tenderness Trick: Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking to ensure uniform doneness and prevent dry edges. This technique helps the chicken cook more evenly and stay juicy.
• Spinach Swap Magic: Replace fresh spinach with frozen spinach for a quick alternative. Thaw and drain thoroughly to prevent excess moisture in the sauce. Kale or Swiss chard work wonderfully as green substitutes.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Experiment with different cheese options like sharp cheddar, creamy goat cheese, or tangy Gruyère instead of mozzarella. Each cheese brings a unique flavor profile to the dish.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Skip the flour coating and use almond flour or omit entirely for a gluten-free version. For a lighter approach, swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories.
• Herb Garden Boost: Fresh herbs can transform this dish. Try adding fresh thyme, rosemary, or dill to the sauce for an extra layer of aromatic complexity. Chop herbs finely and sprinkle just before serving to maintain their bright flavor.

Serving Chicken Bake as a Main Dish

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Serve this creamy spinach chicken bake with warm crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Guests will love dipping each bite into the rich, velvety mixture.
• Elegant Side Companions: Pair the dish with roasted garlic mashed potatoes or a light quinoa pilaf. These sides complement the chicken's creamy texture and enhance the overall dining experience.
• Fresh Green Balance: Add a crisp mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the chicken. The salad's brightness will provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, comforting main course.
• Weekend Meal Prep Magic: Prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate before baking. It's perfect for busy families wanting a delicious, homemade meal without last-minute cooking stress.

Storage Tips for Chicken Bake Leftovers

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture absorption. Refrigerated meals stay delicious for 3-4 days.
• Smart Freezing Technique: Wrap individual portions in freezer-safe wrap or containers. Label with date and contents. Frozen chicken dishes maintain quality for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Easy Reheating Method: Warm in oven at 350°F to retain original texture. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying. Add splash of chicken broth to restore sauce moisture. Heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Ingredient Separation Tip: Keep cheese and spinach sauce separate if meal prepping. Store components in different containers to maintain optimal texture. Combine just before reheating to keep ingredients crisp and flavorful.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 466 kcal

Servings: 7

Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake Ingredient Guide

• Chicken Fillets: Lean protein that provides hearty, satisfying foundation for the dish with tender, succulent texture.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning enhancers that elevate chicken's natural flavors and create depth.
• Flour: Light coating that helps develop golden-brown crust and locks in moisture during cooking.

• Butter: Provides rich, velvety base for sauce with luxurious depth and smooth consistency.
• Onions: Sweet aromatic base that adds subtle complexity and underlying warmth to sauce.
• Garlic: Pungent flavor booster that infuses sauce with robust, fragrant character.
• Chicken Broth: Liquid foundation that builds layered, savory background notes.
• Heavy Cream: Creates silky, indulgent texture and adds luxurious richness to sauce.
• Spinach: Vibrant green vegetable that introduces nutritional boost and fresh, earthy undertones.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Melty, stretchy topping that adds creamy, golden-brown crispy layer.
• Nutmeg: Subtle spice that provides warm, sophisticated aromatic complexity.
• Parsley: Fresh herb garnish that introduces bright, clean finishing note.

Must-Have Kitchen Items for Spinach Chicken Bake

• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for assembling and baking the chicken.
• Skillet: Perfect for browning chicken and creating the creamy sauce.
• Spatula: Helps flip chicken and stir ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring spoons: Ensures precise seasoning and ingredient amounts.
• Sharp knife: Useful for preparing garlic and chopping parsley.
• Foil: Keeps chicken warm while preparing the sauce.
• Cheese grater: Optional for freshly grated mozzarella.

Hearty Spinach Chicken Bake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Irresistible creamy spinach chicken bake combines tender chicken with a rich, cheesy spinach sauce for a comforting family meal. Simple ingredients and easy preparation make this dish a weeknight winner you’ll want to add to your regular rotation.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (907 g) boneless skinless chicken fillets
• 1 ½ cups (170 g) mozzarella cheese, freshly shredded
• 1 lb (454 g) fresh spinach
• 1 ½ cups (360 ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 4 tbsps (57 g) salted butter
• ½ medium sweet onion, diced
• ⅓ cup (42 g) all purpose flour
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a rectangular baking dish to prevent sticking, ensuring a seamless cooking experience.
2. Chicken Preparation: Season chicken fillets with salt and pepper, then lightly coat with flour for a delicate, crisp exterior.
3. Searing Stage: In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sear chicken until achieving a golden-brown crust, about 3-4 minutes per side. Temporarily shelter cooked chicken under foil.
4. Flavor Building: Using the same skillet, caramelize onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic and sauté briefly to release aromatic nuances without scorching.
5. Sauce Development: Deglaze pan with chicken broth, scraping flavor-rich remnants from the skillet’s surface. Reduce liquid by half, then incorporate cream, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and develops a luxurious consistency.
6. Spinach Integration: Fold fresh spinach into the creamy mixture, allowing leaves to wilt and merge seamlessly with the sauce. Reintroduce chicken, letting it bathe in the velvety liquid and absorb complementary flavors.
7. Baking Process: Transfer chicken and spinach cream sauce to the prepared baking dish, distributing evenly. Blanket the surface with mozzarella cheese for a decadent, melty finish.
8. Finishing Touch: Position dish under the broiler, vigilantly monitoring to achieve a golden, bubbling cheese crust. Remove from oven and delicately sprinkle with a hint of nutmeg and fresh parsley for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Sear for Golden Crust: Take time to develop a rich, golden exterior on chicken for enhanced flavor and texture, ensuring each side gets 3-4 minutes of direct skillet contact.
• Prevent Garlic Burning: Sauté garlic quickly and carefully to release aromatics without scorching, which can create bitter undertones in the sauce.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Watch broiler closely to achieve perfect golden-brown cheese topping without burning, keeping oven rack at middle-high position for even melting.
• Deglazing Flavor Boost: Scrape skillet thoroughly when adding broth to capture all caramelized bits, maximizing depth of sauce and ensuring no delicious flavor fragments are left behind.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 466
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 792 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 19 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 144 mg