🍗 White Cheddar Spinach Chicken Delight

A creamy, comforting dish layered with juicy chicken, rich white cheddar sauce, and fresh spinach. This satisfying, flavor-packed recipe feels like something you’d order at your favorite restaurant—but made right at home.

---

👩‍🍳 Servings: 4–6

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 35–40 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour
Difficulty: Intermediate

Perfect for a weeknight dinner, meal prep, or when you’re hosting and want to impress.

---

🛒 Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning

For the White Cheddar Sauce:

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk (or half-and-half)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg (optional—for a subtle warmth)
• 2 cups sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded (block cheese melts best)
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 4 oz cream cheese (optional—for extra creaminess)

For the Spinach:

• 6–8 oz fresh baby spinach (around 6–7 cups)
• 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Pinch of salt

Optional Toppings:

• Chopped parsley or basil
• Extra shredded cheddar or Parmesan
• Cracked black pepper
• Toasted breadcrumbs for crunch

---

🔪 Instructions

1. Sear the Chicken

• Pat chicken dry.
• Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and thyme.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil or butter over medium-high.
• Add chicken and cook 5–7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
• Transfer to a plate, cover loosely with foil, and let rest.

💡 Tip: For even cooking, butterfly thick breasts or pound them to an even thickness.

---

2. Sauté the Spinach

• In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil or butter.
• Sauté minced garlic for about 30 seconds.
• Add spinach with a pinch of salt. Cook 2–3 minutes until wilted.
• Transfer spinach to a plate and set aside.

🍃 Tip: If spinach releases too much liquid, lightly press it with paper towels.

---

3. Prepare the White Cheddar Sauce

• In a medium saucepan (or reuse the skillet), melt butter over medium heat.
• Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
• Whisk in flour to make a roux. Cook 1–2 minutes.
• Slowly whisk in milk and cream to avoid lumps.
• Stir in Dijon, salt, pepper, and optional nutmeg.
• Let the sauce gently simmer, whisking until thickened (about 5–6 minutes).
• Lower heat, then stir in cheddar, Parmesan, and cream cheese until smooth and melted.
• If it thickens too much, loosen with a bit of milk or broth.

🧀 Tip: Always use freshly grated cheese—pre-shredded types don’t melt as smoothly.

---

4. Combine and Finish

Option 1 – Stovetop:

• Add cooked chicken and spinach to the skillet with the sauce.
• Spoon sauce over the chicken. Simmer gently 5–10 minutes so flavors meld.

Option 2 – Oven-Baked:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a baking dish, layer the seared chicken, sautéed spinach, and pour sauce on top.
• Sprinkle with extra cheese or breadcrumbs.
• Bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes until bubbly and golden.

---

5. Garnish & Serve

• Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.
• Garnish with herbs, cheese, or crunchy toppings.

🍽️ Try it with:

• Mashed potatoes
• Buttered noodles or orzo
• Garlic rice or roasted vegetables
• Crusty bread or garlic toast

---

🔁 Easy Variations

• Add mushrooms: Sauté with spinach for extra umami.
• Turn up the heat: Add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños to the sauce.
• Low-carb option: Serve with cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles.
• Add bacon: Crumble cooked bacon on top before baking.

---

🥡 Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Best frozen without spinach—store up to 2 months.
• Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of milk or cream. Avoid high heat to keep the sauce creamy.

---

🧾 Bonus: Casserole Version

• Cut cooked chicken into bite-sized chunks.
• Toss in cooked pasta or rice with the cheddar sauce.
• Fold in spinach.
• Transfer to a baking dish. Top with more cheese or breadcrumbs.
• Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until bubbly.

---