Description
Spinach artichoke chicken bake brings creamy Mediterranean flavors to classic comfort cuisine. Juicy chicken nestles among tangy artichokes and silky spinach, creating a delightful meal that satisfies both comfort and gourmet cravings you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts (6–8 ounces / 170–226 grams each)
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 2 cups packed baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Dairy and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious mixing vessel and thoroughly blend chopped spinach, tangy yogurt, tender artichoke pieces, aromatic garlic powder, and zesty Dijon mustard until ingredients harmonize completely.
- Select a generous rectangular baking dish and arrange chicken breasts in a uniform, single layer, ensuring each piece has adequate space.
- Generously spread the vibrant spinach mixture across the chicken, creating an even, luxurious coating that promises rich, complex flavors.
- Crown each chicken breast with precisely placed mozzarella cheese slices, allowing slight overlap if needed to ensure complete coverage.
- Position the assembled dish into a preheated oven calibrated to 400ºF (200ºC), creating an optimal environment for culinary transformation.
- Bake the ensemble for approximately 30 minutes, monitoring until chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165ºF (75ºC) and cheese melts into a golden, bubbling blanket.
- After removing from the oven, permit the dish a brief resting period of 3-5 minutes, allowing flavors to intermingle and intensify before serving.
Notes
- Achieve perfectly cooked chicken by using a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature reaches 165ºF (75ºC).
- Select fresh, high-quality spinach and artichokes for maximum flavor and nutritional boost.
- Prevent dry chicken by ensuring an even distribution of creamy yogurt mixture across each breast.
- Customize the dish with optional toppings like crispy breadcrumbs or chopped fresh herbs for added texture and taste.
- Leftovers stay delicious when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making meal prep a breeze.
- Pair this protein-packed meal with light sides like roasted vegetables or a crisp salad for a balanced dinner experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 48 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg