Chicken and Spinach Casserole

Ingredients and Weight:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: 2 pounds
• Fresh spinach: 10 ounces
• White onion: 1 large, chopped
• Garlic cloves: 3, minced
• Butter: 8 tablespoons
• All-purpose flour: 1/4 cup
• Whole milk: 3 cups
• Chicken broth: 1 cup
• Dijon mustard: 1 tablespoon
• Nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt and black pepper: to taste
• Parmesan cheese, grated: 1 cup
• Seasoned bread crumbs: 1 cup

Preparation Time:

30 minutes

Cooking Time:

45-50 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (Easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Preheat a large skillet over medium heat. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and cook the chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
3. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet. Add the onion and cook until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until thickened.
5. Stir in the mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Return the chicken to the skillet and simmer for 5 minutes more.
6. Meanwhile, wash and drain the spinach. Squeeze out any excess water.
7. Stir the spinach into the casserole and heat through.
8. In a small bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the casserole and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.

Nutritional Information:

(Per serving)

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fat: 20g
• Cholesterol: 100mg
• Sodium: 500mg

Dish Characteristics:

• Creamy and cheesy
• Tender chicken and spinach
• Golden brown bread crumb topping
• Comforting and satisfying

User Comments:

• "This casserole is the perfect comfort food! It's cheesy, creamy, and the chicken is so tender."
• "I love that it's so easy to make, but it looks and tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant."
• "This is a great dish to serve for a crowd. It's delicious and everyone always loves it."
• "I like to add a few chopped mushrooms to the casserole for extra flavor."
• "This casserole is even better the next day! The flavors meld together so well."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Be sure to use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for easy slicing.
• If you don't have fresh spinach, you can use 10 ounces of frozen spinach, thawed and drained.
• To add more flavor to the bread crumb topping, sprinkle with melted butter before baking.
• Serve the casserole with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.