Description
This baked chicken recipe combines tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts with a flavorful mixture of sautéed spinach, mushrooms, and garlic, topped with a blend of mozzarella, cream cheese, and Parmesan for a creamy, cheesy finish. Perfect for a nutritious and satisfying dinner, it takes just 45 minutes to prepare and serves four.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme (optional)
Vegetable & Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready 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 for approximately 5 minutes until they become soft and tender.
- Wilt Spinach: Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for 2 minutes until wilted. Remove the skillet from heat.
- Mix Cream Cheese & Season: Incorporate the softened cream cheese into the vegetable mixture until melted and combined evenly. 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 with Mixture: Spread the spinach and mushroom cream cheese mixture evenly over each chicken breast.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the top of the chicken breasts.
- Bake: Bake the chicken uncovered in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.
Notes
- For an extra crispy topping, you can broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes of baking—watch closely to avoid burning.
- Substitute mozzarella with cheddar or provolone for a different cheese flavor.
- This dish pairs well with steamed rice, mashed potatoes, or a side salad.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
