Healthy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Healthy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake is a delicious, nutritious meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. It combines tender chicken breasts with a flavorful spinach and artichoke topping, all melted under gooey mozzarella cheese for a comforting yet healthy dish.

Ingredients

• 4 (6-8oz) chicken breasts*
• 2 cups packed baby spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 8 slices mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400ºF.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, mix together the spinach, yogurt, artichokes, garlic powder, and dijon mustard until well combined.
3. Step 3: Lay the chicken breasts in a single layer in a 9×13 baking dish.
4. Step 4: Evenly spread the spinach mixture over the chicken breasts.
5. Step 5: Place 2 slices of mozzarella cheese on top of each chicken breast, slightly overlapping if needed.
6. Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF and is fully cooked.
7. Step 7: Let the chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• Butterfly large chicken breasts to create cutlets for faster and even cooking.
• Use a slotted spoon to drain excess liquid from the chicken before serving, as fresh spinach can release moisture.
• For a richer dish, swap plain yogurt for sour cream or cream cheese.
• Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through. Avoid overheating to keep the chicken moist and the cheese from becoming rubbery.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, but be sure to thaw and thoroughly drain the frozen spinach to remove excess moisture before mixing it with the other ingredients.

What should I do if my chicken breasts are larger than 8 ounces?

It’s best to butterfly large chicken breasts into smaller cutlets for even cooking and to stick to the recipe’s cooking time. Alternatively, increase the baking time and check the internal temperature to ensure doneness.

Healthy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake Recipe

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This Healthy Spinach Artichoke Chicken Bake is a flavorful, low-carb, and nutritious dish featuring tender baked chicken breasts topped with a creamy mixture of spinach, artichokes, and low-fat yogurt, finished with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a wholesome dinner, it’s a lighter twist on the classic spinach artichoke dip flavors baked right on the chicken.

• Author: Rami
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dishes
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Carb

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 4 (6-8 oz) chicken breasts

Spinach Artichoke Mixture

• 2 cups packed baby spinach, roughly chopped
• 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Topping

• 8 slices mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400ºF to prepare for baking the chicken.
2. Prepare Spinach Mixture: In a large bowl, mix together the roughly chopped spinach, plain low-fat yogurt, drained and chopped artichoke hearts, garlic powder, and dijon mustard until well combined.
3. Assemble Dish: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Evenly spoon the spinach-artichoke mixture over the top of each chicken breast, making sure to cover them well.
4. Add Cheese Topping: Lay 2 slices of mozzarella cheese on top of each chicken breast, overlapping if necessary for full coverage.
5. Bake: Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF and is no longer pink in the center.
6. Rest and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and allow the chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to let the juices redistribute.

Notes

• This recipe is a healthier, low-carb version of traditional spinach artichoke dip on chicken, so it will be less creamy and rich than classic recipes.
• Expect some natural liquid around the chicken after baking, due to the moisture in fresh spinach and chicken. Use a slotted spoon or spatula to drain excess liquid before serving if desired.
• If chicken breasts purchased are larger than 6-8 oz, consider butterflying or cutting them into cutlets to ensure even cooking time. Larger breasts will require longer baking times.
• For accurate doneness, use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165ºF.

Keywords: spinach artichoke chicken bake, healthy chicken bake, low carb chicken recipe, baked chicken breast, spinach artichoke dip chicken