Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?

Yes, you can use about 1 pound of fresh spinach. Sauté it until wilted, then squeeze out all the moisture before adding to the cream cheese mixture. Fresh spinach works just as well in this chicken and spinach casserole with cream cheese.

What if I don't have cream cheese?

You can substitute with an equal amount of Greek yogurt mixed with a tablespoon of butter, though the texture will be slightly tangier and less rich. Cream cheese is really what makes this casserole so luxurious.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble the entire chicken and spinach casserole with cream cheese, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.

Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese

Name: Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced; 1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/4 cup chopped onion; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping); 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (for topping)

Chicken and Spinach Casserole with Cream Cheese

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Creamy and delicious comfort food combining tender chicken, nutritious spinach, and rich cream cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions.

Author: James Carter Jr
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
1/4 cup breadcrumbs (for topping)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×9 inch baking dish or similar 2-quart baking dish.
In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, chopped onion, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until well combined and smooth.
Squeeze excess liquid from thawed spinach (you should extract at least 1/2 cup of liquid). Add spinach and shredded chicken to the cream cheese mixture and stir until everything is evenly coated.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly with a spatula.
In a small bowl, combine shredded mozzarella cheese and breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges, the topping is golden brown, and the center reaches 165°F.
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to thicken slightly.

Notes

Make sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the thawed spinach (at least 1/2 cup) to prevent a watery casserole.
Use rotisserie chicken for quicker preparation time.
For extra crispy topping, broil for the last 1 to 2 minutes of cooking time, watching carefully to prevent burning.
For extra flavor, add a dash of hot sauce or Worcestershire sauce to the cream cheese mixture.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6 of casserole)
Calories: 385 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 720 mg
Fat: 28 g
Saturated Fat: 13 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 10 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 32 g
Cholesterol: 115 mg

Find it online: https://www.benefitiany.com/chicken-and-spinach-casserole-with-cream-cheese/