Description
This Baked Tuscan Chicken Casserole is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring juicy seared chicken breasts baked in a rich sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, heavy cream, and Parmesan, topped with melted mozzarella and fresh basil. Perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner, this casserole combines Italian-inspired ingredients to create a delicious, cheesy one-dish meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce & Toppings
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Season Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper, making sure they are evenly coated.
- Sear Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet and sear them for 3-4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside temporarily.
- Cook Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and fresh spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the spinach to wilt and the tomatoes to release flavor.
- Make Creamy Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and add the grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly and combines well with the vegetables.
- Assemble Casserole: Arrange the seared chicken breasts in a baking dish and pour the creamy tomato-spinach sauce evenly over the chicken.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken and sauce. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped basil before serving. Enjoy your warm, comforting Tuscan chicken casserole!
Notes
- For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken breasts with the seasoning spices for 30 minutes before cooking.
- If sun-dried tomatoes are packed in oil, drain them well before chopping to avoid excess oiliness.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the sauce will be less rich.
- To make this dish gluten-free, ensure all seasoning blends and cheese are labeled gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
