Description
Comfort meets indulgence in this loaded cheesy chicken bake, where creamy textures and bold flavors collide. Hearty chicken, melted cheese, and savory toppings create a soul-warming dish that wraps you in delicious satisfaction.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables and Mushrooms:
- 1 bag large size baby spinach
- 10 ounces (280 grams) baby bella mushrooms (sliced)
- 2 tablespoons chopped onion
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese
- 4 thick slices whole milk mozzarella
Oils and Seasonings:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Prepare a seasoned flour mixture by combining selected spices and spread evenly on a large plate.
- Thoroughly coat each chicken breast in the seasoned flour, ensuring complete coverage.
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken breasts until a rich golden brown develops on both sides, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, add remaining butter and olive oil. Sauté mushrooms until they caramelize and develop a deep brown color. Deglaze pan with wine and half the garlic, scraping up concentrated flavor fragments from the bottom. Continue cooking until liquid reduces completely.
- Create creamed spinach by sautéing onions in olive oil for 5 minutes. Incorporate spinach and remaining garlic, cooking until spinach wilts. Blend in Parmesan and cream cheeses, stirring until smooth and fully integrated.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange chicken breasts in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish, layering with sautéed mushrooms and creamed spinach.
- Top each chicken breast with a slice of cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts and develops a light golden-brown crust.
Notes
- Use a fine-mesh sieve to evenly coat chicken with seasoned flour for a uniform, crispy exterior that locks in moisture.
- Select a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance mushroom flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Try different melting cheeses like provolone, gruyère, or pepper jack for varied flavor profiles and texture.
- Replace seasoned flour with almond flour or crushed pork rinds to create a keto-friendly version of this chicken bake.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 415 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg