Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole Recipe
If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate comfort food, this Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole is about to become a new weeknight favorite. It’s a dreamy blend of juicy chicken, tender spinach, and a luscious, creamy sauce all tucked beneath a blanket of melty cheese and a buttery cracker topping. Every bite is pure, cozy satisfaction, perfect for feeding a hungry family or impressing guests at a potluck. Whether you’re craving nostalgia or just an irresistible dinner that brings everyone back for seconds, Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole is a dish worth adding to your rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole is a breeze—and each item has a starring role in making this casserole so crave-worthy. These components work together to create a dish that’s creamy, cheesy, savory, and topped with a satisfying crunch.
- Cooked chicken breast: Shredded chicken forms the hearty base and soaks up all that delicious sauce.
- Fresh baby spinach: Brings a splash of color and a subtly earthy flavor; wilted just enough to meld beautifully with the creamy mixture.
- Cream of chicken soup: The backbone of the creamy sauce, adding both body and savory richness.
- Sour cream: Adds an irresistible tang and silkiness that ties the whole dish together.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Provides that classic, stretchy-cheesy finish everyone loves.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Brings a touch of nuttiness and depth to balance the creamy flavors.
- Garlic powder: Enhances the casserole with subtle garlicky warmth without overpowering it.
- Onion powder: Delivers a gentle savoriness, rounding out all the flavors.
- Salt: Elevates and unifies every other ingredient—you can adjust to your taste preference.
- Black pepper: Just a hint gives the casserole a little kick and complexity.
- Crushed Ritz or buttery crackers: That golden, crunchy topping makes each bite extra special and fun.
- Unsalted butter: Melting into the crackers, it ensures a topping that’s both crisp and unbelievably flavorful.
How to Make Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), which gives you the perfect golden finish. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish—this not only ensures a stress-free cleanup, but it also stops our magical casserole from sticking, letting every serving come out flawlessly.
Step 2: Mix the Filling
In a large bowl, combine your shredded chicken, fresh spinach, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until the mixture looks creamy and the spinach is evenly distributed. The aroma alone will have you ready to dig in!
Step 3: Assemble the Casserole
Pour the creamy chicken and spinach mixture into the prepared baking dish, making sure to spread it out evenly. Every corner of the pan should get plenty of chicken, spinach, and saucy goodness—this helps the casserole bake evenly and ensures no one fights over the “best bite.”
Step 4: Craft the Crunchy Topping
Grab a small bowl and mix your crushed Ritz crackers (or your favorite buttery crackers) with the melted butter until all those crumbs look beautifully coated. Evenly sprinkle this irresistible mixture over your casserole. The topping is a big part of what makes Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole so satisfying!
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the casserole uncovered in your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the sauce is bubbling along the edges and the cracker topping is deeply golden. Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes after baking—this helps it set up and makes serving much easier.
How to Serve Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole
Garnishes
Give your Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole a little fresh flair with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or basil on top. The burst of green brightens up the comfort-food palette, while a few grinds of black pepper over the top adds just the right touch of spice. If you love a little extra savoriness, thinly sliced green onions make a lovely finishing touch.
Side Dishes
This casserole shines with simple, wholesome sides. A crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette is the perfect counterpoint to all that creamy, cheesy goodness. Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or green beans are fantastic for adding color and texture to your plate, and some warm, crusty bread is never a bad idea to help scoop up every last bit of sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For dinner parties, try serving the Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole in individual ramekins for a charming, personalized touch. Or, spoon it into puff pastry shells for a fun, hand-held twist on the classic. You can even turn leftovers into lunch by tucking a scoop into a wrap or pita, with extra spinach and a dash of hot sauce on the side!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover any leftovers tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. They’ll keep well in the refrigerator for up to three days, making Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole a fantastic meal prep option for busy weeks.
Freezing
This casserole freezes beautifully! Let the baked casserole cool completely before wrapping it securely or placing portions in airtight containers. Store in the freezer for up to three months. For best texture, freeze before adding the cracker topping, and sprinkle it on just before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, cover the casserole with foil and warm it in a 350°F (175°C) oven until hot and bubbly, about 20 minutes if reheating from the fridge (a bit longer if coming from the freezer). If the cracker topping seems to have softened, just uncover it for the final 5 minutes to re-crisp. Individual portions can be microwaved for a quick lunch, though the oven is best for restoring the topping’s crunch.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken in my Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a huge time-saver and infuses the casserole with extra flavor. Just shred or chop the meat and use it exactly as you would regular cooked chicken breast.
Is there a substitute for cream of chicken soup?
If you’d prefer a homemade touch or need to avoid canned soup, try a simple homemade white sauce (béchamel) made with butter, flour, chicken broth, and milk. Season generously for the most flavorful result.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole up to a day in advance. Keep it covered in the fridge, then add the cracker topping and bake fresh when you’re ready. This makes it perfect for entertaining or those nights when you want to have dinner ready to pop right in the oven.
What if I don’t have fresh spinach?
No problem! Frozen chopped spinach works wonderfully here. Just make sure to thaw it completely and squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible so your casserole stays thick and creamy.
Can I make Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use gluten-free crackers for the topping and make sure your soup and chicken broth are certified gluten-free. The other ingredients are naturally free of gluten, so it’s an easy swap.
Final Thoughts
If you need a dish that’s equal parts comforting, quick, and destined for “family favorite” status, you can’t go wrong with Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole. It’s the kind of meal everyone looks forward to—simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor. Give it a try this week and watch how fast it disappears from the table!
Print
Creamy Chicken and Spinach Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in this comforting and creamy chicken and spinach casserole, a delicious main course that’s perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Packed with tender chicken, nutritious spinach, and a rich, cheesy sauce, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
For the Casserole:
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping:
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers or buttery crackers
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the Casserole: In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, spinach, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Make the Topping: In a small bowl, mix the crushed crackers with melted butter until evenly coated. Sprinkle this mixture over the casserole.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly, and the topping is golden brown.
- Serve: Let the casserole stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute frozen spinach—thaw and squeeze out excess liquid before adding.
- This dish pairs well with a side salad or roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
