Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole is a deliciously creamy cheesy casserole and one the whole family will love.
If you like spinach artichoke dip, you are going to love this Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole. It’s basically chicken breasts topped with a fabulous spinach and artichoke dip mixture and cheese sauce and baked till brown and bubbly.
The combination of spinach and artichokes with chicken in this casserole is so good that even the kids will love it, and you won’t have to run after them to eat their greens because you can easily hide them under all the cheese.
I tried this recipe a few times before sharing it with you. My issue with baked chicken breast is that baking can dry it out sometimes, and it can become rubbery, especially the leftovers. So my first attempt was to bake this recipe without any sauce, but we were hoping for better results. Sure the flavours were all there, but that chicken breast had dried out a bit around the edges and the next day it just wasn’t good enough.
So I decided to add a creamy cheese bechamel sauce to the recipe which keeps the chicken really juicy, and adds a wonderful creaminess to the dish. There are four simple steps to this recipe – While you get everything else ready, marinate the chicken in some minced garlic, chilli flakes and salt in the baking pan. While the chicken is marinating, we make a quick mixture of frozen spinach and artichokes and spread it over the chicken. Next make the cheese sauce, pour it over the chicken and bake till the chicken is cooked.
Because of all that creamy cheese sauce, this spinach and artichoke chicken casserole can be served with mashed potatoes, or brown rice and if you want to keep this low carb, go ahead and serve this with broccoli or cauliflower rice.
Can you use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely, chicken thighs work really well in this recipe too. The cooking time will increase though because chicken breasts cook faster than chicken thighs. Spinach artichoke chicken thighs would be a very tasty option!
Frozen vs Fresh Spinach
Frozen and fresh spinach, both work perfectly well in this recipe. If you have frozen spinach available, its important to thaw it completely and squeeze out any extra water before adding it to the recipe. If you have access to fresh spinach, go with it, because it only takes a minute or so for spinach to wilt.
Casserole Dishes are on the Menu!
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- Poppy Seed Chicken
This creamy spinach artichoke chicken casserole is incredibly simple to make, and will satisfy all your cravings for your favourite spinach artichoke dip recipe!
Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt divided
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup cream cheese
- 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach thawed
- 6 ounces artichoke hearts or quarters, roughly chopped
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Add chicken breasts, chilli flakes, minced garlic, and ½ teaspoon salt to a baking dish. Rub the spices on both sides of the chicken breasts and arrange them side by side in the baking pan. Set aside to marinate. Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Melt butter in a pan and add flour. On a medium flame, saute the flour for a minute and slowly add milk while whisking continuously to ensure no lumps form. Keep whisking till the sauce comes to a simmer and starts to thicken. Whisk in the cream cheese and set aside.
- Squeeze the defrosted spinach to remove any extra water. Add spinach, artichoke hearts, and the remaining ½ teaspoon salt to a bowl and mix well.
- Spread the spinach artichoke mixture on top of each chicken breast, pour the sauce all over and bake for 35 minutes. At the 25 minute mark, sprinkle mozzarella over the chicken and place it back in the oven for the next 10 minutes. Serve hot.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Main Course
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We made this tonight and absolutely loved it! Will be making this one again!
Very easy and DELICIOUS! I would suggest following the recipe exactly as written!
Can this be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking?
I have never made this ahead of time Julie, but think it would work well. You’ll want to ensure your casserole reaches 160°F. Let us know if you try making it ahead!
Can this be made with cubed/sliced uncooked chicken breast as opposed to a whole breast?
You could substitute other chicken but it will likely change the cook time. I hope this helps.
Looks to be skin on…Bone in?
I use boneless skinless chicken breasts Penelope. You could substitute other chicken but it will likely change the cook time. I hope this helps.
Loved this recipe! I couldn’t find any artichoke hearts at a grocery shop so just used brussel sprouts instead, which still tasted delicious. The cream sauce tasted amazing – it seemed very little when I poured over the chicken but it turned out to be the right amount. Thanks for this easy, delicious recipe!
Your version sounds delicious Kelly!
I’m not clear…Is it jarred artichokes or fresh artichokes? Hubby thought fresh artichokes. Do I need to cook them first before adding to the dish? Thanks for the recipe. It looks yummy!
The artichoke hearts are canned or jarred.
Made this last night and everyone loved. And it was extremely easy. Thank you
Can I use chicken breast tenders?
I have only made this dish with chicken breasts. I’d worry that the tenders may overcook a little. Let us know if you try it Lex!
Better than anything I have ever eaten. Everyone loves it. This dish is too rich and too good to be healthy, but it is!!!! It really doesn’t NEED a side dish. Delicious
So glad you love this dish so much JJ!
Great recipe! Didn’t read it fully and added the cheese before putting it in to cook, but just covered it and it was perfect, chicken very moist. Served it with pasta shells and the whole family raved about it. Thought about cutting the chicken up into pieces but that may have dried it out… something to think about for next time!
So glad you loved it!
Can this be made with shredded chicken? If I first cooked the chicken, shredded it, then did the layers and baked it, how would that differ?
Hi Kerri, you can totally prepare this casserole this way. Since the chicken will be pre-cooked I would only cook it in a 375°F oven for about 20-25 minutes until bubbly and heated through.
Made this tonight and it was amazing!! Thank you Soo much for this recipe❤️
Hi,
Can this be made ahead of time and then baked when ready?
Thanks
I have never made this ahead of time Jaclyn but think it would work. You’ll want to ensure your casserole reaches 160°F. Let us know if you try making it ahead!
I am planning this recipe for Sunday but I have an ingredient question. It calls for a 1/2 cup of cream cheese…. is this 4 oz, 1/2 cup cubed or 1/2 cup whipped? Please clarify. Can’t wait to make and enjoy this recipe.
Pat, the recipe calls for 1/2 cup of cream cheese which would be measured from a block of cream cheese (not whipped). This would be a full 1/2 cup measured in a measuring cup (or cut from the square), not cubed. Hope that helps! Enjoy!
Can you use fresh artichokes
I haven’t tried this with artichokes but I think as long as they’re cooked it would work.
Do you think we can sub heavy whipping cream or half and half for the milk? Thanks!
I haven’t tried it Nathalie, but I’m sure that would be delicious!
It’s a great casserole Billy!
Hi! This sounds and looks absolutely delicious. If you use fresh spinach, would you still use 10 ounces? Thank you!
You could use about one pound of spinach Larryn. Enjoy!