Cooking Lucid
Creamy Tomato and Spinach Chicken Bake
This comforting one-dish bake features tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich, creamy tomato sauce loaded with spinach.
Prep 15 min
Cook 40 min
Total 55 min
Serves 4
Ingredients
Step 1 — For the Chicken Bake
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Step 2 — Optional Side
- Cooked pasta or crusty bread
Instructions
- 1
Sear Chicken
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- 2
Sauté Aromatics
Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- 3
Make Sauce
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, stirring to combine.
- 4
Add Spinach and Chicken
Stir the fresh spinach into the sauce until it begins to wilt. Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
- 5
Bake and Finish
Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the chicken and sauce. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- 6
Rest and Serve
Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot, spooning sauce over the chicken. Excellent served with pasta or crusty bread.
Nutrition per serving: 580 cal · 50g protein · 25g carbs · 30g fat · 5g fiber
