My spinach artichoke chicken bake is everything you want in a weeknight dinner! It's creamy, cheesy, packed with protein, and ridiculously easy to throw together! If you're already obsessed with spinach artichoke dip (hi, same), you're going to love this simple chicken dinner that's basically a wholesome, high-protein version of your favorite party appetizer!
With boneless skinless chicken breasts as the base and a creamy blend of cottage cheese, cream cheese, and mozzarella loaded with fresh spinach and artichoke hearts on top, this spinach artichoke chicken casserole is seriously a dream. It’s comfort food with a lighter twist and the best part is, it only takes 10 minutes to prep!
If you love this easy chicken bake you will love my healthy million dollar chicken bake, my chicken fajita casserole with rice, or my viral one pan chicken lemon orzo!
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Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – A lean source of high-quality protein and the star of this casserole bake.
- Avocado oil – Great for roasting and has a higher smoke point. You may also use a high quality olive oil with a higher smoke point as well!
- Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder – Classic seasonings that add depth to the chicken without overpowering the creamy spinach topping.
- Low-fat cottage cheese – High in protein and gives the sauce a creamy, tangy base without needing a mayonnaise base or sour cream.
- Low-fat cream cheese (room temperature) – Adds creaminess and that indulgent feel you want in a creamy spinach artichoke topping.
- Chopped spinach – Use fresh spinach or baby spinach for the best flavor and texture. A perfect way to sneak in a leafy green!
- Artichoke hearts – Tender and tangy, they balance the richness of the cheese. Use jarred or canned (drained well).
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (divided) – Half goes in the mix, half melts on top for that gooey, golden top of the chicken breast moment.
- **Optional: Sprinkle of parmesan cheese for extra savory goodness!
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1:Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray or oil.
- Step 2: Place chicken breasts in the dish in a single layer. Drizzle with avocado oil, then season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
3. Step 3:In a large mixing bowl, stir together cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, chopped spinach, artichoke hearts, and ½ cup mozzarella cheese. Mix until well combined.
4. Step 4: Spread the spinach mixture evenly over the top of each piece of chicken. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella.
5. Step 5: Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (use a meat thermometer for best results). Broil for 1–2 minutes to get the cheese golden brown and bubbly.
6. Step 6: Let rest for a few minutes, then serve with a side dish like roasted veggies, cauliflower rice, or potatoes and enjoy your high-protein dinner!
Hint: If you don't use a ceramic baking dish, the chicken may have longer cooking temperatures. If you have a glass baking dish, you may want to consider slicing your chicken breasts in half length wise to get thinner cutlets, or you can cube your chicken!
Hint: Pat your chicken dry with a paper towel before seasoning and baking! This helps the oil and spices stick better and prevents liquid from pooling in the baking dish, which can water down the creamy spinach artichoke sauce!
Substitutions
- Dairy-free? Use dairy-free cream cheese and dairy-free yogurt as an alternative to cottage cheese. Swap mozzarella with a plant-based version.
- Low carb? Serve with cauliflower rice or extra greens.
- No cottage cheese? Try plain Greek yogurt for a similar tangy protein boost.
- Vegetarian? Sub in pre-cooked chickpeas or tofu slices.
This recipe is already naturally gluten-free.
Variations
- Spicy - add chili pepper flakes to add some heat to this dish!
If you love my easy spinach artichoke chicken bake, you will love my other variation of this meal- my healthy million dollar chicken bake.
Equipment
All you need to make this easy and healthy spinach artichoke chicken bake are the following items:
- 9x13 inch baking dish or casserole dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Meat thermometer
- Cutting board + knife
- Paper towels (for drying spinach or artichokes)
- Slotted spoon (optional for serving)
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through or microwave in 30-second increments.
This makes an excellent favorite meal prep dinner—just portion into containers with your favorite veggie or grain!
Christina's Dietitian Tip:
This is the ultimate high-protein dinner! Between the chicken, cottage cheese, and mozzarella, you’re getting a ton of grams of protein in one delicious meal. Plus, sneaking in fresh spinach and artichoke hearts makes it a nutrient-packed main course for the whole family. Pair with some additional non-starchy and starchy veggies to add some fiber and nutrients to the dish as well as keep the dish balanced! Skip the cream cheese and shredded mozzarella in the mixture to make this slightly lower in calories if desired!
FAQ
Yes! Skip the starchy side and pair it with a veggie like brussels sprouts or zucchini noodles to keep things low carb.
Yes, just thaw and squeeze out excess liquid with paper towels before mixing it in.
Pound to an even thickness for even cooking and juicy chicken breast.
Definitely! Just make sure to adjust cook time as needed based on the thickest part of the thigh.
Yes, assemble everything the night before and refrigerate. Bake when you are ready.
Dinner
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Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish or casserole dish
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Meat Thermometer
- Cutting board + knife
- Paper towels (for drying spinach or artichokes)
- Slotted spoon (optional for serving)
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon Avocado oil or olive oil
- ¾ Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Pepper
- 1 Teaspoons Garlic powder
- 1 Teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 cup Low-fat cottage cheese
- ½ Block Low-fat cream cheese softened
- 2 cups Fresh spinach chopped
- 1 cup Artichoke hearts chopped or whole (based on preference)
- 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese divided
Instructions
- Step 1:Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9x13 casserole dish with cooking spray or oil.
- Step 2: Place chicken breasts in the dish in a single layer. Drizzle with avocado oil, then season both sides with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Step 3:In a large mixing bowl, stir together cottage cheese, softened cream cheese, chopped spinach, artichoke hearts, and ½ cup mozzarella cheese. Mix until well combined.
- Step 4: Spread the spinach mixture evenly over the top of each piece of chicken. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella.
- Step 5: Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (use a meat thermometer for best results). Broil for 1–2 minutes to get the cheese golden brown and bubbly.
- Step 6: Let rest for a few minutes, then serve with a side dish like roasted veggies, cauliflower rice, or potatoes and enjoy your high-protein dinner!
Notes
Nutrition
Food Safety
- Cook chicken to a minimum temperature of 165 F
- Don’t leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Make sure to wash your hands after and between touching raw chicken. Also avoid using the same tools and cutting boards where raw meat has touched to avoid cross-contamination.
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Sara Abbott says
Outstanding made this tonight with mashed potatoes what a hit
Whitney Gonzalez says
This recipe was delicious!! Will be making this again😋