Description
This Chicken and Spinach Casserole is a simple, satisfying, and low-carb dinner that is incredibly easy to prepare. Featuring tender chicken breasts layered over fresh greens and topped with a savory, creamy parmesan sauce, it packs a lot of flavor with minimal effort. With a golden, cheesy crust and a bed of wilted spinach, this 30-minute meal is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and homemade.
Ingredients
The Layers
- 1 lb chicken breasts (approx. 2 breasts), cut in half crosswise to make thin cutlets
- 8 oz fresh spinach
- 8 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Creamy Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
Prep
Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C). Lightly spray a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic salt, and black pepper until smooth.
Layer Spinach
Place the entire 8 oz bag of fresh spinach into the baking dish. It will look like a mountain of greens, but press it down slightly to fit.
Add Chicken
Arrange the raw chicken breast pieces on top of the spinach bed.
Sauce
Spread the creamy sauce mixture evenly over the top of the chicken breasts. Try to cover the meat completely to keep it moist.
Cheese
Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the sauce layer.
Bake
Place the dish on the bottom rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes. The spinach should shrink significantly, the cheese should be bubbly and golden, and the chicken must reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Serve
Let it rest for a few minutes, then serve warm.
Notes
High Heat is Key: Do not be alarmed by the 500°F temperature. The high heat is necessary to wilt the large volume of spinach rapidly and cook the chicken quickly, sealing in juices.
Liquid in the Pan: Spinach releases water as it cooks. This mixes with the creamy sauce to create a delicious broth at the bottom of the pan perfect for spooning over the chicken or dipping bread into.
Don’t Overcook: Because of the high temperature, check the chicken right at the 20-minute mark. If left too long, the chicken can dry out.
Keto-Friendly: This recipe is naturally low in carbs and high in healthy fats, making it an ideal staple for keto diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 52g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: chicken spinach casserole, keto chicken recipe, low carb dinner, creamy chicken bake, easy weeknight meals, 30 minute dinner, gluten free casserole