Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

4.91 from 20 votes

Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs marinated in avocado oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, and red pepper flakes, then layered in a 9x13-inch baking dish with softened cream cheese, wilted spinach, and shredded mozzarella. Baked at 450°F for 20 to 22 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F. Serves 4.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chicken bake, chicken thigh casserole, spinach chicken casserole

Servings:

Calories: 472kcal

Author: Sara Nelson

Ingredients

4 chicken thighs thin, boneless and skinless
2 Tablespoons avocado oil 30 milliliters, divided
2 Tablespoons minced garlic 30 grams
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon paprika
⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
7 ounces cream cheese softened
5 cups fresh spinach about 140 grams
4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
nonstick cooking spray for the baking dish

Optional Garnishes:

Freshly cracked black pepper
Pinch of paprika

Instructions

Marinate Chicken: To a freezer bag, add chicken, 1 Tablespoon avocado oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, pepper, salt, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Seal bag and, using hands, shake and massage mixture into chicken until marinade ingredients are well-combined. Transfer bag to refrigerator to marinate while you preheat the oven and wilt the spinach.
Preheat Oven: Place oven rack in middle of oven, preheat oven to 450 degrees F, and coat 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Wilt Spinach: While oven preheats, in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat, heat remaining 1 Tablespoon avocado oil. Add spinach and allow to wilt and for excess liquid to cook off, then remove pan from the heat and set pan aside.
Prepare Chicken Bake: Unseal bag of marinated chicken and, using tongs, transfer chicken to prepared baking pan. Using a knife, spread softened cream cheese atop chicken pieces and then, using tongs, lay spinach atop cream cheese. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top.
Bake: Transfer pan to oven to bake until chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 20-22 minutes.
Garnish and Serve: Remove pan from oven, garnish with pepper and paprika, then serve.

Video

Notes

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Reheating Instructions: If frozen, allow the chicken bake to thaw overnight in the fridge. Then, to reheat, bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or in the microwave until heated throughout, about 1-2 minutes, depending on the wattage of your microwave.

Nutrition