Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

ingredients

• 800g boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces 🍗
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 🫒
• 1 medium onion, finely diced 🧅
• 3 garlic cloves, minced 🧄
• 300g fresh spinach, roughly chopped 🥬
• 1 can (400g) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped 🌿
• 225g cream cheese, softened 🧀
• 120ml sour cream or Greek yogurt 🥣
• 120ml heavy cream or milk 🥛
• 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella 🧀
• 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan 🧀
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs or regular breadcrumbs 🍞
• 1 tbsp butter (for toasting crumbs) 🧈
• 1 tsp dried oregano 🌿
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 🌶️
• Salt to taste 🧂
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste 🧂
• Zest of 1 lemon and 1 tsp lemon juice (optional) 🍋

instructions

1. Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a 22x30 cm casserole dish or similar with a little olive oil 🫒.
2. Season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper and half the oregano. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden but not fully cooked, about 4–5 minutes. Transfer to a plate 🍗.
3. In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed and sauté the diced onion until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant 🧅🧄.
4. Add the chopped spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2–3 minutes. Stir in the chopped artichoke hearts and remove from heat 🥬🌿.
5. In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, heavy cream, lemon zest and juice, remaining oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), salt and pepper until smooth 🧀🥣🍋.
6. Fold the sautéed spinach-artichoke mixture and half of the shredded mozzarella and half of the Parmesan into the cream mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed 🧀🧂.
7. Stir the seared chicken into the creamy vegetable mixture until evenly coated, then transfer everything to the prepared casserole dish and spread into an even layer 🍗🥬.
8. Top the casserole with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. In a small pan, melt the butter and toss with the breadcrumbs, then sprinkle the buttery crumbs evenly over the cheese for a golden crust 🍞🧈.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbling. For extra browning, broil 1–2 minutes watching closely 🔥.
10. Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with a little extra lemon zest or chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm with a simple salad or crusty bread 🍋🥗.