Cheesy Chicken Florentine Casserole: A Creamy, Dreamy Delight

Craving comfort food that’s both satisfying and relatively easy to make? Look no further than this Cheesy Chicken Florentine Casserole! It’s a delightful combination of tender chicken, creamy spinach, and a decadent cheese sauce, all baked to golden perfection. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a potluck gathering. The best part? It’s incredibly customizable to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.

## Why You’ll Love This Chicken Florentine Casserole

* **Comfort Food at Its Finest:** This casserole is the epitome of comfort food. The creamy sauce, tender chicken, and melty cheese create a truly satisfying and heartwarming meal.
* **Easy to Make:** While it looks and tastes impressive, this casserole is surprisingly simple to put together. With just a few key steps, you’ll have a delicious dinner on the table in no time.
* **Customizable:** Feel free to swap out ingredients to suit your preferences. Add mushrooms, use different types of cheese, or incorporate your favorite vegetables. The possibilities are endless!
* **Great for Leftovers:** This casserole tastes even better the next day! It’s perfect for meal prepping or enjoying leftovers for lunch.
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** This dish is always a hit at parties and gatherings. Everyone loves the combination of flavors and textures.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start cooking, gather all your ingredients. This will make the process much smoother and more efficient.

* **Chicken:** 1.5 – 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer.
* **Spinach:** 10 ounces fresh spinach, or one 10-ounce package of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry. Fresh spinach offers a slightly brighter flavor, but frozen spinach is perfectly acceptable for convenience.
* **Onion:** 1 medium yellow onion, chopped. This adds a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the casserole.
* **Garlic:** 2-3 cloves garlic, minced. Garlic is essential for adding a pungent and aromatic touch.
* **Butter:** 4 tablespoons unsalted butter. Butter is used to sauté the vegetables and create the roux for the sauce.
* **Flour:** 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour. This is used to thicken the sauce.
* **Milk:** 2 cups milk (whole milk or 2% milk work best). Milk provides the liquid base for the creamy sauce.
* **Chicken Broth:** 1 cup chicken broth. Chicken broth adds another layer of flavor to the sauce.
* **Cream Cheese:** 4 ounces cream cheese, softened. Softened cream cheese helps make the sauce extra creamy and rich.
* **Mozzarella Cheese:** 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided. Mozzarella cheese provides a classic cheesy flavor and a beautiful melted topping.
* **Parmesan Cheese:** 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty flavor to the casserole.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste. Seasoning is crucial for bringing out the flavors of all the ingredients.
* **Optional Add-ins:** Mushrooms, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, pasta (cooked). These are suggestions for customizing your casserole.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Large skillet or Dutch oven
* 9×13 inch baking dish
* Whisk
* Mixing bowls
* Cutting board
* Knife

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Now for the fun part! Follow these detailed instructions to create your Cheesy Chicken Florentine Casserole.

**Step 1: Prepare the Chicken**

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that the casserole cooks evenly.
* Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Smaller pieces cook faster and are easier to eat in the casserole.
* Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Seasoning at this stage helps to infuse the chicken with flavor.
* In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. You can also use butter if you prefer.
* Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer. Set aside. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook the chicken in batches if necessary to ensure even browning.

**Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables**

* In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
* Add the chopped onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
* Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can become bitter.
* Add the fresh spinach (or thawed and squeezed frozen spinach) to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. If using fresh spinach, it will reduce in volume significantly. If using frozen spinach, ensure all excess moisture is squeezed out, as this will prevent a watery casserole.
* Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.

**Step 3: Make the Cheese Sauce**

* In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
* Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly. This creates a roux, which will thicken the sauce. Be sure to cook the roux long enough to eliminate the raw flour taste.
* Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Continue whisking until the sauce is smooth.
* Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring constantly, until it thickens slightly, about 5-7 minutes. The sauce should be able to coat the back of a spoon.
* Reduce the heat to low and stir in the softened cream cheese until melted and smooth. This adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.
* Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. The cheese will add flavor and help to thicken the sauce further.
* Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Be mindful of the salt content of the cheeses when seasoning.

**Step 4: Assemble the Casserole**

* In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, and cheese sauce. Mix well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
* Pour the mixture into the prepared 9×13 inch baking dish.
* Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole. This will create a beautiful, golden-brown crust.

**Step 5: Bake the Casserole**

* Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown. You can broil it for the last minute or two for extra browning, but watch it carefully to prevent burning.
* Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the casserole to set slightly and prevents it from being too watery.

## Tips and Variations

* **Use Different Types of Cheese:** Experiment with different cheese combinations to find your favorite flavor profile. Gruyere, cheddar, or provolone would all be delicious additions or substitutions.
* **Add Mushrooms:** Sauté sliced mushrooms along with the onion and garlic for a more earthy flavor.
* **Include Artichoke Hearts:** Quartered artichoke hearts add a briny and slightly tangy flavor to the casserole.
* **Sun-Dried Tomatoes:** Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of intense tomato flavor.
* **Make it with Pasta:** Cook your favorite pasta (penne, rotini, or farfalle work well) and add it to the casserole for a heartier meal. Reduce the amount of chicken slightly if adding pasta.
* **Use Rotisserie Chicken:** To save time, use a rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own chicken. Shred the chicken and add it to the casserole as directed.
* **Make it Ahead of Time:** Assemble the casserole and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free flour in the cheese sauce. You can also use a cornstarch slurry (equal parts cornstarch and cold water) to thicken the sauce. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free.
* **Add a Breadcrumb Topping:** Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the casserole before baking for a crispy topping.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cheese sauce for a little heat.

## Serving Suggestions

This Cheesy Chicken Florentine Casserole is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Here are a few suggestions:

* **Green Salad:** A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the richness of the casserole.
* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts are all great accompaniments.
* **Garlic Bread:** Crusty garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious cheese sauce.
* **Mashed Potatoes:** Creamy mashed potatoes complement the flavors and textures of the casserole.
* **Rice Pilaf:** A flavorful rice pilaf adds a hearty element to the meal.

## Storage and Reheating

* **Storage:** Store leftover Cheesy Chicken Florentine Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat the casserole in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick and easy meal.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: Approximately 450-550 per serving (depending on ingredients and portion size).
* Protein: 30-40 grams
* Fat: 25-35 grams
* Carbohydrates: 15-25 grams

This recipe is a guideline, and nutritional information may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.

## Cheesy Chicken Florentine Casserole Recipe

**Yields:** 6-8 servings
**Prep time:** 20 minutes
**Cook time:** 30 minutes

**Ingredients:**

* 1.5 – 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
* 10 ounces fresh spinach, or one 10-ounce package of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
* 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
* 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
* 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
* 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 2 cups milk (whole milk or 2% milk work best)
* 1 cup chicken broth
* 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
* 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
* Salt and pepper to taste
* 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter for cooking chicken

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook in a skillet with olive oil or butter until browned and cooked through. Set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
5. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
6. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
7. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
8. Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5-7 minutes.
9. Reduce heat to low and stir in cream cheese until melted and smooth.
10. Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
11. In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, and cheese sauce. Mix well.
12. Pour the mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
13. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the top.
14. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
15. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy your delicious and comforting Cheesy Chicken Florentine Casserole!

## Conclusion

This Cheesy Chicken Florentine Casserole is a winner for its ease of preparation and incredible flavor. It’s a dish that will become a regular in your dinner rotation, and one that you’ll be proud to share with family and friends. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a creamy, cheesy, and utterly satisfying meal! Bon appétit!