Creamed Spinach & Chicken Casserole Recipe

Jun 29, 2023

Creamed spinach and chicken combine in this crowd-pleasing, comforting casserole. Crushed red pepper packs some heat, so add less or leave it out completely if you want a milder version. You can cook long-grain brown rice ahead of time or look for packaged microwaveable brown rice to use instead.

Nicole Hopper is a recipe tester and developer based in Birmingham, Alabama.

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)

1 teaspoon salt, divided

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 teaspoon salt-free Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 ½ cups whole milk

½ teaspoon ground pepper

¼ teaspoon paprika

⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 (10-ounce) packages frozen cut-leaf spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 (5.25-ounce) package creamy garlic-and-herb cheese spread (such as Boursin)

4 cups cooked long-grain brown rice

4 cups shredded cooked chicken breast

½ teaspoon grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 cup shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Position oven racks in top third and lower third; preheat to 350°F. Lightly coat a 9-by-13-inch broiler-safe baking dish with cooking spray.

Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with flour; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Gradually pour in milk; cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add pepper, paprika, nutmeg and the remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Stir in spinach and garlic-and-herb cheese; cook, stirring often, until the mixture is heated through and the cheese is fully incorporated, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.

Add rice, chicken, lemon zest and lemon juice to the spinach mixture; fold together until evenly mixed. Transfer to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan.

Bake on the lower rack until the cheeses are melted, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to the upper oven rack and increase oven temperature to broil. Broil until browned on top, 2 to 3 minutes.

Assemble casserole (through Step 3) up to 2 days in advance; cover and refrigerate. When ready to eat, let the dish stand at room temperature for 1 hour before baking.

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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