Creamy, cheesy, and packed with tender chicken, sautéed mushrooms, and spinach, this comforting chicken bake is an easy family dinner with plenty of flavor.
Recipe Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: 45–50 minutes
Servings: 4–6
Oven: 375°F (190°C)
Ingredients
For the Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 oz (170 g) each
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
For the Creamy Mushroom & Spinach Sauce
8 oz (225 g) mushrooms, sliced
5 oz (140 g) fresh spinach
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp butter
4 oz (115 g) cream cheese, softened
½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
¼ tsp black pepper
Salt, to taste
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. If they are very thick, gently pound them to an even thickness.
Season both sides with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Sauté the mushrooms
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned and most of their moisture has evaporated.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds.
- Add the spinach
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet in batches. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until wilted.
Remove the mushroom and spinach mixture from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the creamy sauce
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the cream cheese, heavy cream, and chicken broth to the skillet. Whisk until the cream cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth.
Stir in the Parmesan, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened.
- Assemble the bake
Lightly grease a baking dish.
Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the dish. Spoon the creamy spinach and mushroom mixture around and over the chicken.
Pour the creamy sauce evenly over everything.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top.
- Bake
Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10–15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is golden and bubbling.
The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
For a more deeply browned top, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
- Rest and serve
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh parsley and a little extra Parmesan if desired.
Nut Information & Allergens
Peanuts: None.
Tree nuts: None.
Almonds: None.
Walnuts: None.
Pecans: None.
Cashews: None.
Pistachios: None.
Hazelnuts: None.
Nuts required: No.
Dairy: Contains cream cheese, Parmesan, mozzarella, butter, and heavy cream.
Gluten: The basic recipe is naturally gluten-free, but check chicken broth and seasoning labels.
Eggs: None.
Soy: Not normally present, but check packaged cheese and broth labels.
For a nut allergy: Check labels on all packaged dairy products, broth, and seasonings for potential cross-contact.
Approximate Nutrition
Per serving, based on 6 servings:
Calories: 450–500
Protein: 45–50 g
Carbohydrates: 7–9 g
Fat: 27–30 g
Fiber: 2 g
Sugar: 3–4 g
Sodium: 700–850 mg
Nutrition will vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts and specific dairy products used.
Tips for the Best Chicken Bake
Don’t skip browning the mushrooms. It concentrates their flavor and prevents a watery sauce.
If using large chicken breasts, pound them evenly so they cook at the same rate.
Avoid overcooking the chicken; use a meat thermometer for the best results.
Fresh spinach works especially well, but frozen spinach can also be used if thoroughly thawed and squeezed dry.
Let the bake rest for a few minutes before serving so the sauce thickens slightly.
Easy Variations
Broccoli Mushroom Chicken
Add 1–2 cups of small broccoli florets before baking.
Spicy Chicken
Add extra red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne.
Extra Cheesy
Add another ½ cup mozzarella or a little shredded provolone on top.
Lemon Herb
Add 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp lemon zest to the finished sauce for a brighter flavor.
Bacon Mushroom Chicken
Add 4 slices of cooked, crumbled bacon over the chicken before adding the mozzarella.
Q&A
Q: Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well and tend to stay especially juicy. Adjust the cooking time as needed.
Q: Can I use frozen spinach?
Yes. Thaw it completely and squeeze out excess water before adding it to the mushrooms.
Q: Can I use another type of mushroom?
Absolutely. Cremini, baby bella, white button, or sliced portobello mushrooms all work well.
Q: Can I make this without cream cheese?
Yes. You can substitute additional heavy cream and Parmesan, although the sauce will be slightly less thick.
Q: Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Yes. The sauce will be lighter and somewhat less rich.
Q: How do I prevent the sauce from becoming watery?
Brown the mushrooms thoroughly and squeeze excess liquid from frozen spinach. Also avoid overcrowding the mushrooms while sautéing.
Q: Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the dish is going directly from the refrigerator to the oven.
Q: How long do leftovers last?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
Q: Can I freeze it?
Yes, but creamy sauces containing dairy can change texture slightly after freezing and thawing. For best results, freeze individual portions and reheat gently.
Q: What should I serve with creamy spinach mushroom chicken?
For a low-carb meal, serve it with roasted broccoli, cauliflower rice, zucchini noodles, or a green salad. For a heartier meal, serve with rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Q: Is this recipe keto-friendly?
It can fit a low-carb or keto-style meal plan because it contains very little carbohydrate from the main ingredients. Check the labels of your broth and seasonings and calculate nutrition according to the exact products you use.
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