Creamy Spinach Artichoke Hen Casserole is wealthy, tacky, and filled with tender hen in a sauce that feels just a little fancy with none further work. In the event you love the flavors of spinach artichoke dip, wait till you attempt them baked into a comfy, family-friendly dinner. It’s good for busy weeknights however particular sufficient for Sunday dinner!
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I’m obsessive about recipes that don’t require me to run to 3 completely different shops, and this one? Complete fridge-and-freezer state of affairs. And, after I’m feeling lazy (which, let’s be actual, is most weeknights), I seize a rotisserie hen, and we’re golden.
And actually, the creamy, tacky goodness by no means disappoints. It’s turn out to be such a daily rotation that my household is aware of it’s casserole night time simply by the scent!
If consolation meals is what you’re after, you must attempt my Stuffed Pepper Casserole or Cornbread Cowboy Casserole subsequent
Why I like this recipe
- It makes use of substances I normally have in my pantry and freezer, so I don’t want a particular buying journey.
- Rotisserie hen works nice right here after I’m quick on time, and it’s additionally excessive in protein.
- The creamy, tacky sauce by no means will get previous; my household requests this frequently!
- Leftovers style simply pretty much as good reheated the following day.
Substances
- Pasta: ziti – the hearty base that holds every thing collectively.
- Hen: diced hen breast or use cooked rottiserie hen as a shortcut if wanted
- Seasonings: garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, recent garlic – easy staples that carry out all of the savory flavors
- Olive oil – for sautéing the hen and including richness
- Creamy Base: cream cheese, plain Greek yogurt, milk – making a clean, tangy sauce that coats each chunk. Substitute bitter cream for those who don’t have Greek yogurt available.
- Cheese: shredded mozzarella cheese (divided) and shredded Parmesan – for melty texture and daring, tacky taste
- Veggies: frozen spinach (thawed and squeezed dry) and chopped artichoke hearts – traditional spinach artichoke taste
- Garnish: recent parsley (non-compulsory) – for a pop of coloration and freshness
Step-by-step
- Convey a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook dinner the ziti following the bundle instructions till tender however nonetheless agency (al dente). Drain and put aside.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and frivolously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Toss the diced hen with ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Heat the olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Add the hen and cook dinner for about 6 to eight minutes, stirring at times, till absolutely cooked and frivolously browned. Take off the warmth.
- In a big bowl, beat the softened cream cheese till clean. Add the Greek yogurt and milk, stirring till the combination is creamy and effectively blended.
- Fold in ¾ cup of the mozzarella, the Parmesan, minced garlic, and the remaining salt and pepper.
- Add the cooked pasta, hen, spinach, and chopped artichokes. Stir till every thing is evenly coated within the sauce.
- Switch the combination to the ready dish and unfold it out evenly. Prime with the remaining mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 25 to half-hour, till the cheese is melted and bubbly. Change to broil for 1 to 2 minutes, preserving a detailed eye on it, till the highest turns frivolously golden.
- Take away from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Garnished with recent parsley for those who like, then serve and luxuriate in.
Ideas for greatest outcomes
- Squeeze the thawed spinach rather well, as a result of extra water will make your casserole watery as an alternative of creamy.
- Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature so it mixes easily with out lumps.
- Don’t overcook the pasta because it continues cooking within the oven; intention for al dente.
- Use freshly shredded cheese fairly than pre-shredded cheese for higher melting.
- Watch fastidiously throughout broiling because the cheese can go from golden to burnt shortly.
Variations
If ziti isn’t out there, sturdy noodles similar to penne, rigatoni, or bow-tie pasta will work simply as effectively. For a low-carb choice, attempt changing the pasta with cauliflower florets. Or add some crumbled bacon on prime earlier than baking to create further richness.
Serving suggestion
This casserole is filling by itself, however I prefer to spherical out the meal with a roasted vegetable. For the additional contact, serve with garlic bread or Texas toast to take in any sauce, or stick to roasted greens for a lighter, low-carb choice.
Storage
You probably have leftovers, retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Heat them within the oven at 350°F for 20 minutes with foil, or microwave single parts for two–3 minutes.
You may freeze this casserole each earlier than or after baking simply. For freezing earlier than baking, assemble the casserole and canopy tightly with plastic wrap and foil for as much as 3 months earlier than baking. Thaw within the fridge in a single day then bake as directed, including an additional 10 minutes to the baking time.
For an already-baked dish, let it cool, wrap effectively, and freeze for as much as 2 months. Reheat within the oven till sizzling right through.
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- 2 oz raw ziti pasta
- 1.5 lb hen breast, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8-ounce cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 10-ounce frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Non-obligatory: recent parsley, for garnish
- Convey a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook dinner the ziti following the bundle instructions till tender however nonetheless agency. Drain and put aside.
- Toss the diced hen with ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Heat the olive oil in a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Add the hen and cook dinner for about 6 to eight minutes, stirring at times, till absolutely cooked and frivolously browned. Take off the warmth.
- In a big bowl, beat the softened cream cheese till clean. Add the Greek yogurt and milk, stirring till the combination is creamy and effectively blended.
- Fold in ¾ cup of the mozzarella, the Parmesan, minced garlic, and the remaining salt and pepper.
- Add the cooked pasta, hen, spinach, and chopped artichokes. Stir till every thing is evenly coated within the sauce.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and frivolously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Switch the combination to the ready dish and unfold it out evenly. Prime with the remaining mozzarella.
- Bake uncovered for 25 to half-hour, till the cheese is melted and bubbly. Change to broil for 1 to 2 minutes, preserving a detailed eye on it, till the highest turns frivolously golden.
- Take away from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes. End with recent parsley for those who like, then serve and luxuriate in.
- Prep Time: quarter-hour
- Cook dinner Time: 35
- Class: Foremost Course
- Technique: Baking
- Delicacies: American
Diet
- Serving Measurement:
- Energy: 476
- Sugar: 4.4 g
- Sodium: 571.8 mg
- Fats: 17.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 40.1 g
- Fiber: 3.8 g
- Protein: 39.5 g
- Ldl cholesterol: 101.7 mg
