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Baked Tuscan Chicken Recipe

Baked Tuscan Chicken Recipe
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★★★★★

4.9 from 6 reviews

Baked Tuscan Chicken is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich spinach and cheese mixture, topped with sun-dried tomatoes and mozzarella. This easy-to-make casserole combines Italian herbs and smoky spices for a comforting, savory meal perfect for dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced, for seasoning)

Creamy Spinach Mixture

  • 1/3 cup cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup spinach (chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced, for mixture)
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/3 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for mixture)

Toppings

  • 8 oz jar sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped, reserve 1 tbsp oil)
  • 1 tbsp reserved sun-dried tomato oil
  • 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
  • Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and grease or prepare a 9×13-inch casserole dish for baking the chicken.
  2. Prepare Chicken: Slice each chicken breast horizontally lengthwise to create thinner cutlets. Arrange them in the casserole dish. Season both sides with salt and black pepper, then rub 2 minced garlic cloves evenly onto the chicken to infuse flavor.
  3. Make Creamy Spinach Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, heavy cream, and chopped spinach. Add the remaining 2 minced garlic cloves along with salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, onion powder, and chili powder. Stir the mixture until fully combined and creamy.
  4. Add Cheese: Stir grated parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella into the creamy mixture to create a rich spinach cheese filling.
  5. Assemble the Dish: Spread the creamy spinach and cheese mixture evenly over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are fully covered. Next, top with the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and drizzle the reserved 1 tablespoon of sun-dried tomato oil over the top for extra flavor.
  6. Add Mozzarella Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese over the sun-dried tomatoes.
  7. Bake: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for another 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and golden.
  8. Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the chicken for a fresh, vibrant finish before serving.

Notes

  • For juicier chicken, consider marinating the chicken breasts briefly before cooking.
  • You can substitute spinach with kale for a different texture and flavor.
  • If sun-dried tomatoes are not available, roasted red peppers can be used as a substitute.
  • Make sure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before serving.
  • This dish pairs well with steamed rice, pasta, or a green salad.

Nutrition

Keywords: Baked Tuscan Chicken, creamy chicken, spinach and cheese chicken, Italian chicken recipe, sun-dried tomato chicken

Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/baked-tuscan-chicken-recipe/