Baked Tuscan Chicken Casserole is a comforting, rich dish filled with tender chicken, creamy sauce, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and a blend of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. This easy-to-make casserole is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for a weeknight meal or a cozy dinner gathering.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
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2 large chicken breasts (sliced in half horizontally)
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4 oz cream cheese (softened)
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¾ cup heavy cream
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4 cloves garlic (minced)
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½ tsp onion powder
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½ tsp paprika
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
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¾ cup finely grated mozzarella cheese (divided)
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8 oz sun-dried tomatoes (well-drained and finely chopped, with reserved oil)
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¾ cup fresh spinach (coarsely chopped)
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Kosher salt (to taste)
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Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Directions
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Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
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Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make thinner fillets. Place them in a baking dish and season with salt, pepper, and half of the minced garlic.
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Make the Sauce: In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese and heavy cream until smooth. Add the remaining garlic, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Stir in the grated parmesan and half of the mozzarella cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Assemble the Casserole: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the chicken fillets. Drizzle the reserved sun-dried tomato oil over the mixture and scatter the chopped sun-dried tomatoes around the dish.
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Bake the Chicken: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
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Add Final Ingredients: Remove the foil, stir in the spinach, and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the casserole. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts and the spinach wilts.
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Serve: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrients
This rich and creamy casserole is a filling, protein-packed dish with the following approximate nutritional values per serving:
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Calories: 450-500 kcal
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Protein: 40g
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Fat: 30g
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Carbohydrates: 7g
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Fiber: 2g
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Sodium: 600-800mg (depending on cheese and seasoning)