Description
This Baked Chicken with Spinach and Mushrooms is a delicious and healthy dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with a creamy mixture of sautéed spinach, mushrooms, and cheeses. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this recipe combines fresh ingredients with simple preparation techniques to deliver a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional)
Vegetable Mixture
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
Cheeses
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken.
- Sauté Garlic: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook Mushrooms: Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook until they soften, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add Spinach: Incorporate the chopped spinach into the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes until wilted. Then remove the skillet from heat.
- Melt Cream Cheese: Stir in the softened cream cheese into the spinach and mushroom mixture until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture is well combined. Season with salt, pepper, and dried thyme if using.
- Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a greased baking dish and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Top Chicken: Evenly spread the spinach and mushroom cream cheese mixture over each chicken breast.
- Add Cheese Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top of the chicken breasts.
- Bake: Bake the chicken uncovered in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese topping is golden and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Notes
- For added flavor, you can season the chicken with your favorite herbs or spices before baking.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- You can substitute fresh spinach with frozen spinach, but be sure to thaw and drain it well before using.
- To make the dish lower fat, reduce the amount of cheese or use low-fat cheese options.
- Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
