Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole (Printable Version)
Creamy chicken casserole with spinach, artichokes, and three cheeses for a protein-packed comforting meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
02 - 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
03 - 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
04 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Vegetables
05 - 7 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
06 - 14 oz canned artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
07 - 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Dairy & Sauces
09 - 1/2 cup light cream cheese, softened
10 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
→ Seasonings
11 - 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
12 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
14 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
→ Topping
15 - 1/3 cup gluten-free panko breadcrumbs
16 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
17 - Olive oil spray
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
02 - Heat a splash of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion for 3–4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add diced chicken breast to the skillet. Cook 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is just cooked through. Remove from heat.
04 - In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix until smooth and creamy.
05 - Fold the cooked chicken mixture, thawed spinach, and chopped artichoke hearts into the cheese sauce until evenly distributed.
06 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared casserole dish.
07 - In a small bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp Parmesan. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole and lightly mist with olive oil spray.
08 - Bake for 30–35 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
09 - Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
# Expert Insights:
01 -
- Every bite feels indulgent thanks to that creamy three-cheese blend, but each serving packs 45 grams of protein that will keep you satisfied for hours.
- You get all the comfort of a spinach artichoke dip without any guilt, and the whole family will request seconds.
02 -
- Squeezing every drop of moisture from the thawed spinach is absolutely critical, otherwise you'll end up with a watery casserole that never sets properly.
- Room temperature cream cheese and Greek yogurt incorporate much more smoothly than cold ingredients, so take them out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before you start cooking.
03 -
- Using rotisserie chicken shaves off about 15 minutes of prep time and adds an extra layer of seasoned flavor that works beautifully here.
- If you're sensitive to spice, start with just an eighth of a teaspoon of red pepper flakes, as they continue to develop while the casserole bakes.