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Pancake Sausage Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

A creamy and flavorful chicken and spinach casserole featuring tender chicken breasts baked with a rich cream cheese and mozzarella topping, perfect for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Chicken and Marinade

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)

Vegetables and Cheese

  • 2 cups fresh spinach
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, optional

Instructions

  1. Prepare Oven and Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly grease a 9 by 13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare Chicken Cutlets: Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create four thin cutlets, pounding thicker areas to even thickness for uniform cooking.
  3. Marinate Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken cutlets in this marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to infuse flavor.
  4. Cook Spinach: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add fresh spinach and cook for 3 minutes until wilted, then set aside to cool slightly.
  5. Make Cream Cheese Mixture: Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth in a bowl, then stir in the cooked spinach, ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese if using for a creamy filling.
  6. Optional Sear: For added flavor and texture, sear the marinated chicken cutlets in the hot skillet for 1 to 2 minutes per side before baking.
  7. Assemble Casserole: Arrange the chicken cutlets evenly in the prepared baking dish. Spread the cream cheese and spinach mixture evenly over the chicken, and sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese on top.
  8. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit) and the cheese is melted and lightly browned on top.
  9. Rest and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set before serving. This helps the flavors meld and improves the texture.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can use full-fat cream cheese; low-fat options may alter the creaminess.
  • If Parmesan cheese is not available, you can omit it or substitute with another hard cheese like Asiago.
  • Using fresh spinach is preferred for best texture and flavor, but frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry) can be used as a substitute.
  • The optional searing step adds depth of flavor but can be skipped for a quicker preparation.
  • Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to guarantee it is safely cooked.
  • To make this dish gluten-free, verify your Italian seasoning does not contain any gluten additives.

Find it online: https://lovelycooks.com/pancake-sausage-casserole-recipe/