Description
Hearty creamy chicken and spinach casserole delivers comfort from Mediterranean kitchens. Generous layers of tender chicken, fresh spinach, and rich cheese create a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups rotisserie chicken (shredded)
- 3 cups long-grain white rice (cooked)
- 2 packages (10 oz each) frozen chopped spinach (thawed and excess water squeezed out)
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- 1 ½ cups yellow onion (finely chopped)
- 8 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 4 oz chive and onion cream cheese
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 6 cloves garlic (thinly sliced)
- 2 tbsps fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsps dried italian seasoning
- 1 ¾ tsps kosher salt (divided)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper
- cooking spray
Instructions
- Gather and organize all ingredients for efficient preparation of the creamy chicken and spinach casserole.
- Position the oven rack in the upper third section and preheat to 350°F.
- Thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté chopped onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, and salt until onions become soft and translucent, approximately 4 minutes.
- Sprinkle flour into the skillet and cook while stirring constantly for 1 minute to remove raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour milk into the skillet, whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming, and cook until the mixture slightly thickens, about 3 minutes.
- Blend cream cheese and remaining salt into the sauce, stirring until completely melted and smooth.
- Remove skillet from heat and fold in shredded chicken, cooked rice, drained spinach, lemon juice, and lemon zest until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Spread the mixture uniformly in the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top of the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until cheese begins to melt.
- Switch oven to broil and cook for 2-3 minutes until cheese turns golden brown and bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Measure and chop all ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and reduce stress in the kitchen.
- Replace rice with cauliflower rice or riced broccoli for a lower-carbohydrate alternative that maintains the dish’s creamy texture.
- Substitute cream cheese with cashew cream or dairy-free cream cheese, and use plant-based milk to accommodate lactose-intolerant diners.
- Easily swap chicken with cooked turkey, tofu, or canned tuna for a versatile protein option that keeps the casserole exciting and adaptable.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 412 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 760 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg