Description
This creamy chicken and spinach casserole is the ultimate comfort food! Packed with tender chicken, nutrient-rich spinach, and a luscious cream sauce, it’s baked to perfection with a golden cheesy crust.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 3 cups fresh spinach (or 1½ cups frozen spinach, thawed and drained)
- 1½ cups cooked rice or pasta (optional, for a heartier dish)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Cream Sauce:
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole dish.
2. Make the Cream Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, whisking constantly to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in onion powder, thyme, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
3. Assemble the Casserole:
- Spread the cooked rice or pasta (if using) evenly on the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Layer the shredded chicken and spinach on top.
- Pour the cream sauce over the chicken and spinach, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
4. Add the Cheesy Topping:
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
5. Bake:
- Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
6. Serve:
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
- You can make this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it before baking. Just increase the baking time by about 10 minutes if baking from cold.
- You can substitute the spinach with other greens, like kale or broccoli, depending on your preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400kcal
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 30g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg