Low Carb Chicken Spinach Mushroom Bake (Printable)
Creamy chicken bake with mushrooms, spinach, and melted cheese. A satisfying low-carb weeknight dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 pounds)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Vegetables
05 - 7 ounces fresh spinach, roughly chopped
06 - 9 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
→ Sauce
09 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
10 - 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
11 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
13 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
14 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
→ Optional Garnish
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
02 - Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on both sides until golden, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
03 - In the same skillet, add onion and mushrooms. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and mushrooms have released their moisture.
04 - Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the spinach and cook until just wilted, about 1-2 minutes.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese and heavy cream, stirring until smooth. Mix in Parmesan, half of the mozzarella, Italian herbs, and nutmeg. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.
06 - Spread the spinach-mushroom mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Nestle the seared chicken breasts on top. Spoon a little sauce over each chicken piece.
07 - Sprinkle remaining mozzarella over the top.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F) and cheese is bubbly and golden.
09 - Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The creamy sauce feels indulgent but keeps things light enough for weeknight eating without the carb crash
- Everything happens in one pan before transferring to the oven meaning minimal cleanup after a long day
02 -
- Don't skip searing the chicken first - that golden crust adds flavor you can't get from baking alone
- The nutmeg might seem unusual but trust me, it's what makes this taste like something from a restaurant
03 -
- Pat the chicken really dry before seasoning - moisture prevents proper searing
- Let your cream cheese soften completely at room temperature to avoid lumpy sauce