:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(webp)/chickenspinachcasserole2016-56b374dd3df78cdfa004de50.jpg)
This simple casserole is a quick preparation, and it makes a fabulous family dinner. Serve it with a salad or sliced tomatoes, or add rice or pasta to your menu. If you're cooking for a larger group, double the recipe and bake it in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.
We topped the casserole with soft breadcrumbs we pulsed in the food processor, but it could be topped with fine dry breadcrumbs or panko crumbs tossed with melted butter.
To make it ahead, layer the spinach and chicken with sauce and then cover the dish and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you're ready to bake it, preheat the oven, top with the buttered breadcrumbs, and bake!
Ingredients
-
1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, cooked
-
5 tablespoons (2 1/2 ounces) unsalted butter, divided
-
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
-
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
-
1 1/2 cups milk
-
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
-
1/2 cup heavy cream, light cream, or half-and-half
-
Salt, to taste
-
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
-
2 cups diced cooked chicken
-
1 cup fine soft breadcrumbs
Steps to Make It
-
Heat the oven to 350 F. Lightly butter a 2-quart baking dish.
-
Drain the cooked spinach in a colander, squeezing or pressing to get as much of the water out as possible. Spread the spinach in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
-
In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the flour and seasoned salt to the butter and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and cream. Cook, stirring until the cheese has melted. Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed. Add the chicken to the sauce and stir to blend.
-
Pour the chicken and sauce mixture over the spinach layer in the baking dish.
-
Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop. Toss the butter with the soft breadcrumbs. Spread the crumbs over the casserole.
-
Bake the casserole for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the topping is nicely browned. To brown the topping a little more, turn the broiler on and broil for a minute or two before you take it out of the oven.
Glass Bakeware Warning
For premade casseroles or leftovers that are in a glass baking dish and have been refrigerated, do not place directly into a hot oven as the glass can shatter. Instead, place any cold glass bakeware into a cold oven to warm up while it preheats. Or, allow the bakeware to rest outside of the fridge for 30 minutes to reach room temperature while the oven preheats.
Tip
- Substitute 12 to 14 ounces of packaged cooked chicken breast strips for the cooked chicken (thawed if frozen). Dice the chicken and proceed with the recipe.
Recipe Variations
- Saute 4 to 6 ounces of sliced mushrooms in a little butter and add them to the sauce with the chicken.
- Replace the chicken with diced turkey for a turkey and spinach casserole.
- Add a few tablespoons of drained chopped pimiento along with the chicken for extra color and flavor.
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
628 | Calories |
41g | Fat |
35g | Carbs |
31g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
---|---|
Servings: 4 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 628 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 41g | 53% |
Saturated Fat 22g | 110% |
Cholesterol 153mg | 51% |
Sodium 1159mg | 50% |
Total Carbohydrate 35g | 13% |
Dietary Fiber 4g | 15% |
Total Sugars 8g | |
Protein 31g | |
Vitamin C 2mg | 11% |
Calcium 412mg | 32% |
Iron 4mg | 24% |
Potassium 601mg | 13% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
Recipe Tags: