High protein Spinach, Cream Cheese & Mozzarella Chicken

Juicy chicken breasts are baked with tender spinach, rich cream cheese, and gooey mozzarella for a comforting, protein-packed dinner. This easy casserole is low in carbohydrates, gluten-free, and perfect for a keto-friendly meal.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
• Total Time: 45–50 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Diet: High-protein, low-carb, keto-friendly

Ingredients

For the Chicken

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 700–800 g)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Creamy Spinach Filling

• 200 g fresh spinach (or 150 g frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry)
• 200 g cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup (100–120 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream, optional

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.

Step 2: Season the chicken

Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub them with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.

Step 3: Sauté the spinach

Heat butter or olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

Add the spinach and sauté for 2–4 minutes, until wilted. If using frozen spinach, cook off excess moisture. Remove from the heat.

Step 4: Make the creamy filling

In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sautéed spinach, Parmesan, half of the mozzarella, and optional heavy cream. Stir until well combined. If the cream cheese is too firm, soften it briefly before mixing.

Step 5: Assemble the casserole

Spread the spinach and cream cheese mixture evenly over the chicken breasts. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the top.

Step 6: Bake

Bake uncovered for approximately 25–35 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F) at its thickest point.

If the cheese browns too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil.

Step 7: Rest and serve

Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon some of the creamy spinach sauce over each chicken breast and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Estimated Nutrition

Per serving, assuming 4 servings:

Calories

450–550

Protein

45–55 g

Total carbs

6–9 g

Net carbs

4–7 g

Estimates depend on chicken size, cheese brands, and the amount of cream used.

Tips for the Best Results

• For extra protein: Use generous chicken portions and add a little extra Parmesan.
• For fewer carbs: Choose plain cream cheese and mozzarella without added starches.
• For juicy chicken: Use similarly sized breasts and avoid overbaking.
• For extra flavor: Add chili flakes, fresh basil, or a pinch of smoked paprika.
• For meal prep: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for 3–4 days and reheat until piping hot.

Serving suggestion: Pair with roasted broccoli, cauliflower mash, or zucchini noodles for a complete high-protein, low-carb dinner.