This Cheesy Chicken Spinach & Mushroom Bake is the kind of meal that feels indulgent but still aligns beautifully with a high-protein lifestyle. Juicy, well-seasoned chicken is baked with tender mushrooms, garlicky spinach, and a creamy sauce, then finished with a golden blanket of melted cheese.
It’s a one-pan, oven-baked comfort dish that works just as well for busy weeknights as it does for meal prep. Rich, cozy, and deeply satisfying—without unnecessary carbs or complicated steps.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• High in protein and naturally low in carbs
• One-pan oven bake (minimal cleanup)
• Creamy, cheesy, and ultra-comforting
• Easy to customize with what you have
• Perfect for meal prep and leftovers
Servings & Timing
Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 30–35 minutes
Total Time: ~55 minutes
Ingredients
Protein & Vegetables
700 g (1.5 lb) boneless chicken thighs or chicken breasts, cut into bite-size chunks
2 cups mushrooms, sliced
2 cups fresh spinach
2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon black pepper
Salt, to taste
Creamy Base
1 cup cooking cream or heavy cream
½ cup Greek yogurt or softened cream cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
Cheese Topping
1½–2 cups shredded mozzarella
(or a mozzarella + cheddar blend)
Tools You’ll Need
Large skillet
9×13-inch baking dish (or similar)
Mixing bowl
Spatula or spoon
Oven
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Spinach & Mushroom Bake
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 190°C / 375°F.
Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Season the Chicken
In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with:
olive oil
garlic powder
onion powder
paprika
black pepper
salt
Toss well to evenly coat every piece.
3. Sauté the Vegetables (Optional but Recommended)
Heat a skillet over medium heat.
Add mushrooms and sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add spinach and cook just until wilted. Remove from heat.
(You can skip this step and bake everything raw, but sautéing adds deeper flavor and prevents excess liquid.)
4. Make the Creamy Sauce
In a bowl, whisk together:
cooking cream or heavy cream
Greek yogurt or cream cheese
minced garlic
Mix until smooth and creamy.
5. Assemble the Bake
In the prepared baking dish:
• Spread the seasoned chicken evenly
• Scatter sautéed mushrooms and spinach over the chicken
• Pour the creamy sauce evenly over everything
• Sprinkle generously with shredded cheese
6. Bake
Bake uncovered for 30–35 minutes, until:
• Chicken is fully cooked (165°F / 74°C internal temp)
• Sauce is bubbling
• Cheese is melted and lightly golden
For extra browning, broil for the last 2–3 minutes.
7. Rest & Serve
Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
This helps the sauce thicken and makes serving easier.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this bake with:
• Roasted vegetables
• Steamed broccoli or green beans
• Cauliflower mash
• A fresh side salad
• Zucchini noodles or shirataki noodles
It’s rich enough to stand alone, but pairs beautifully with simple sides.
Tips for Best Results
• Chicken thighs give juicier results; breasts are leaner
• Do not overbake or the sauce may split
• Sautéing mushrooms prevents a watery casserole
• Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting
• Let rest before cutting for clean portions
Variations & Substitutions
Lower Fat:
Use light cream and reduced-fat cheese
Extra Protein:
Add cooked turkey bacon or extra chicken
Dairy-Free:
Use coconut cream and dairy-free cheese
Spicy:
Add chili flakes or cayenne to seasoning
Extra Veggies:
Add zucchini, bell peppers, or broccoli florets
Storage & Meal Prep
Refrigerator:
Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer:
Freeze cooked portions for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight and reheat gently.
Reheating:
Reheat in oven at 180°C / 350°F or microwave until warmed through.
Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)
(Based on 6 servings)
Calories: ~420
Protein: ~38 g
Fat: ~28 g
Carbohydrates: ~6–8 g
(Exact values depend on ingredients used.)
Conclusion
This Cheesy Chicken Spinach & Mushroom Bake is everything comfort food should be—rich, creamy, hearty, and deeply satisfying—while still being protein-forward and easy to fit into a balanced lifestyle.
It’s the kind of recipe you’ll make once and then keep coming back to, especially on nights when you want something cozy without the hassle.
