Creamy Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake: A Delicious and Easy Weeknight Dinner

Are you searching for a comforting, flavorful, and relatively easy weeknight dinner that will impress your family and friends? Look no further than this Creamy Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake! This dish combines tender chicken breasts with a luscious creamy sauce, vibrant spinach, savory artichoke hearts, and a generous blanket of melted cheese. It’s a one-pan wonder that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekend gatherings.

This recipe takes classic flavors and combines them in a baked format that’s both satisfying and visually appealing. The creamy sauce perfectly complements the chicken and vegetables, while the melted cheese adds a delightful richness and golden-brown crust. Prepare to be amazed by how simple it is to create such a flavorful and impressive dish.

## Why You’ll Love This Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake

* **Easy to Make:** This recipe requires minimal prep time and uses readily available ingredients. The steps are straightforward, making it perfect for even beginner cooks.
* **Flavorful and Delicious:** The combination of creamy sauce, spinach, artichoke hearts, and cheese creates a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. The chicken remains tender and juicy, absorbing all the delicious flavors of the sauce.
* **Comfort Food:** This dish is the epitome of comfort food. It’s warm, cheesy, and satisfying, perfect for a chilly evening or any time you need a little pick-me-up.
* **One-Pan Wonder:** This recipe is made entirely in one pan, which means less cleanup! Simply combine the ingredients, bake, and enjoy.
* **Versatile:** You can easily customize this recipe to suit your preferences. Add other vegetables like mushrooms or bell peppers, or swap out the chicken for turkey or shrimp.
* **Impressive Presentation:** The golden-brown cheese topping and vibrant green spinach make this dish visually appealing, perfect for serving to guests.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

Before you start cooking, gather the following ingredients:

* **Chicken Breasts:** 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
* **Spinach:** 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry (or fresh spinach, wilted)
* **Artichoke Hearts:** 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
* **Cream Cheese:** 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
* **Heavy Cream:** 1 cup heavy cream
* **Parmesan Cheese:** ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
* **Mozzarella Cheese:** 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves garlic, minced
* **Onion:** ½ medium onion, chopped
* **Olive Oil:** 2 tablespoons olive oil
* **Italian Seasoning:** 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
* **Salt:** To taste
* **Black Pepper:** To taste
* **Red Pepper Flakes (Optional):** ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes for a touch of heat

## Equipment You’ll Need

* Large skillet or oven-safe pot
* 9×13 inch baking dish
* Mixing bowl
* Cutting board
* Knife

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create your delicious Creamy Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake:

**1. Prepare the Chicken:**

* Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Ensure the baking dish is oven-safe.
* In a large skillet or oven-safe pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
* Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
* Add the cubed chicken to the skillet and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
* Remove the skillet from heat.

**2. Make the Creamy Sauce:**

* In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, and ½ cup of mozzarella cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy.
* Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if using). Mix well to combine all the ingredients.

**3. Assemble the Bake:**

* Add the thawed and squeezed dry spinach and quartered artichoke hearts to the skillet with the cooked chicken. Stir to combine, ensuring the spinach and artichoke hearts are evenly distributed.
* Pour the creamy cheese sauce over the chicken, spinach, and artichoke mixture in the skillet. Stir gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.

**4. Bake the Dish:**

* Transfer the entire mixture from the skillet to the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly.
* Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the mixture.
* Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.

**5. Rest and Serve:**

* Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
* This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and the flavors to meld together.

## Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake

* **Squeeze the Spinach Dry:** This is crucial to prevent a watery sauce. Use your hands or a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible from the thawed spinach.
* **Don’t Overcook the Chicken:** Overcooked chicken can become dry and tough. Cook the chicken until it’s just cooked through, and it will continue to cook in the oven.
* **Use Freshly Grated Cheese:** Freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheese melt better and have a more intense flavor than pre-shredded cheese.
* **Adjust the Seasoning:** Taste the sauce before baking and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or Italian seasoning to your liking.
* **Add a Breadcrumb Topping:** For a crispy topping, sprinkle a mixture of breadcrumbs and melted butter over the cheese before baking.
* **Use Different Cheeses:** Experiment with different cheeses to create your own unique flavor profile. Gruyere, provolone, or fontina would all be delicious additions.
* **Make it Ahead of Time:** You can assemble the bake ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
* **Broil for Extra Browning:** If you want a more golden-brown cheese topping, broil the bake for the last minute or two of baking, keeping a close eye to prevent burning.
* **Control the Salt:** Artichoke hearts can sometimes be salty. Taste before adding extra salt to the sauce.
* **Spice it Up!:** If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce or a dash of your favorite hot sauce.

## Serving Suggestions

This Creamy Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of side dishes:

* **Pasta:** Serve it over cooked pasta, such as linguine, fettuccine, or penne, to create a complete and satisfying meal.
* **Rice:** Serve it with a side of white rice, brown rice, or quinoa for a lighter option.
* **Garlic Bread:** Crusty garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the creamy sauce.
* **Salad:** A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing will provide a refreshing contrast to the richness of the bake.
* **Roasted Vegetables:** Roasted asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts would be delicious additions.
* **Mashed Potatoes:** Creamy mashed potatoes provide a comforting and classic side dish.

## Variations and Substitutions

* **Use Turkey or Shrimp:** If you’re not a fan of chicken, you can substitute it with cubed turkey breast or shrimp.
* **Add Mushrooms:** Sauté sliced mushrooms with the onion and garlic for added flavor and texture.
* **Add Bell Peppers:** Add diced bell peppers to the skillet with the onion and garlic for a pop of color and sweetness.
* **Use Different Greens:** Instead of spinach, you can use kale or Swiss chard. Just be sure to remove the tough stems before cooking.
* **Make it Gluten-Free:** Use gluten-free pasta or rice as a side dish to make this recipe gluten-free. Also ensure the cream cheese and other ingredients are gluten-free.
* **Make it Lighter:** Use light cream cheese and skim milk instead of heavy cream to reduce the fat content.
* **Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes:** Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of flavor.
* **Use Canned Chicken:** In a pinch, you can use canned chicken, but the flavor and texture won’t be quite as good.
* **Different Herbs:** Experiment with different herbs like oregano, thyme, or basil. Fresh herbs will add a brighter flavor.

## Storing and Reheating Leftovers

* **Storing:** Store leftover Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, or microwave in individual portions.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: 450-550 per serving (depending on ingredients and serving size)
* Protein: 40-50 grams
* Fat: 25-35 grams
* Carbohydrates: 10-15 grams

## Conclusion

This Creamy Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to make, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for any occasion. With its creamy sauce, tender chicken, and vibrant vegetables, it’s a dish that you’ll want to make again and again. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a delicious and comforting meal!

## Recipe Card

**Creamy Chicken Florentine Artichoke Bake**

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 25 minutes
**Total Time:** 45 minutes
**Servings:** 6-8

**Ingredients:**

* 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
* 10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
* 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
* 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup heavy cream
* ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
* 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* ½ medium onion, chopped
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
* Salt and pepper to taste
* ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until softened. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Add chicken to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
4. In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, heavy cream, and ½ cup mozzarella cheese. Mix until smooth. Stir in Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes (if using).
5. Add spinach and artichoke hearts to the skillet with the chicken. Stir to combine.
6. Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken mixture. Stir gently to coat.
7. Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly.
8. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese over the top.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!