Feastical

## Creamy Low-Carb Chicken Bake: Your New Weeknight Hero!
Hey friends, Beau here from Feastical! 👋 Remember that magical feeling when you dig into a dish that’s simultaneously indulgent *and* guilt-free? Like finding your missing spatula right when the pan starts smoking? That’s exactly the vibe we’re cooking up today. Picture this: juicy chicken breasts swimming in a velvety green-onion cream cheese sauce, tangled with earthy mushrooms and vibrant spinach, all crowned with a golden mozzarella blanket. It’s comfort food that hugs your soul *without* weighing you down—no carb coma in sight! Perfect for chaotic weeknights, lazy Sundays, or when you just need a delicious win. Grab your favorite baking dish—we’re making magic happen!

### Why This Dish Stole My Heart
This recipe? It’s my kitchen MVP, born during a *very* chaotic “snowed-in-with-no-groceries” weekend. My pantry was bare except for a lonely pack of chicken, cream cheese, and some wilting spinach. Desperate times! I tossed everything together praying for edible alchemy… and wow. The creamy sauce bubbling around tender chicken, the way spinach and mushrooms melded into something luxe—it felt like a warm hug in dish form. My family devoured it, and my kiddo (the “veggie skeptic”) actually asked for seconds. *That’s* the moment I knew: this humble bake wasn’t just dinner. It was a reminder that simple ingredients + a little courage = pure, uncomplicated joy. Now, it’s my go-to when life feels extra. Let’s recreate that magic for you!

### Your Flavor Toolkit: Ingredients & Pro Hacks

Gather these heroes! Flexibility is key—swap based on what’s in your fridge.

• 6 thin-sliced chicken breasts → Chef’s tip: Pound thicker cuts to ½-inch for even cooking! Sub: Chicken thighs (juicier, bake 5 mins longer).
• 1 (8 oz) container green onion cream cheese → Game-changer! The herbaceous tang lifts the whole dish. Sub: Plain cream cheese + 2 tbsp chopped chives.
• ¼ cup olive oil → Divided: some for sautéing, some for greasing. Sub: Avocado oil for higher smoke point.
• ½ cup chicken broth → Secret weapon for silky sauce! Sub: Bone broth for extra protein punch.
• 1 large package sliced mushrooms (8-10 oz) → Baby bellas add depth. Swap: Shiitakes for umami fireworks!
• 1 small bag fresh baby spinach (5 oz) → Wilts down to nothing—don’t skip! Sub: 1 cup thawed frozen spinach (squeeze DRY).
• 1 dash Weber Herb & Garlic Seasoning → My flavor cheat code! Sub: 1 tsp garlic powder + ½ tsp dried thyme + ½ tsp rosemary.
• 8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese → The gooey crown! Part-skim works. Add parmesan for nutty notes.

### Let’s Build Flavor Town: Step-by-Step!

Ready? Aprons on, oven preheating to 375°F (190°C)! Active time = 15 mins. Promise.

1. Prep Your Stage: Lightly grease a 9×13″ baking dish with olive oil. Why? Prevents sticking AND adds flavor. No dish scrubbing later!
2. Chicken Foundation: Arrange chicken in the dish—no overlapping! Sprinkle generously with Weber seasoning. Hack: For max flavor, rub seasoning under chicken too!
3. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high. Add mushrooms—sizzle alert! Cook 5-7 mins until golden and fragrant. Tip: Don’t crowd the pan—mushrooms need space to brown, not steam!
4. Wilt the Greens: Toss in spinach. Stir 1-2 mins until just wilted—it’ll look like a mountain now, but shrinks fast! Chef’s secret: Add a pinch of salt here to draw out moisture.
5. Create the Lush Sauce: Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese and broth. Stir constantly for 2-3 mins until velvety smooth. Watch the magic! If too thick, splash in 1 tbsp broth.
6. Blanket the Chicken: Spoon saucy veg mix evenly over chicken. Pro move: Slide some sauce under chicken too for extra moisture!
7. Cheese It Up: Shower mozzarella over everything. For extra crisp: Add 2 tbsp grated parmesan!
8. Bake to Perfection: Bake uncovered 45-50 mins. Chicken’s done at 165°F (internal). Golden Rule: Let rest 5 mins! Sauce thickens, chicken reabsorbs juices.

### Serving: Make It Shine!
Slide that dish straight to the table—it’s a showstopper! For color, scatter fresh parsley or chives over the bubbly cheese crust. Keep it low-carb with a crisp side salad (try my lemon-avocado dressing!) or roasted asparagus. Feeling fancy? Serve in shallow bowls with a spoon to capture every drop of that luscious sauce. Perfect with chilled sparkling water + lemon. Comfort in every bite!

### Mix It Up: 5 Tasty Twists

1. Keto Power-Up: Stir ¼ cup crumbled bacon into sauce + top with blue cheese crumbles.
2. Mediterranean Mood: Swap spinach for sun-dried tomatoes + kalamata olives. Top with feta!
3. Spicy Fiesta: Add 1 tsp cumin + ½ tsp chipotle powder to sauce. Garnish with jalapeños.
4. Dairy-Free Dream: Use Kite Hill almond cream cheese + dairy-free mozzarella. Swap broth for veg stock.
5. Pesto Swirl: Dollop 3 tbsp basil pesto into cream cheese sauce before baking.

### Chef Beau’s Corner: Real Talk
Okay, full disclosure: my first test batch was… saucy soup. 😂 I’d drowned the chicken in broth! But here’s the beauty: mistakes lead to genius. I learned that letting the sauce rest thickens it beautifully, and *thin* chicken is non-negotiable. Over the years, I’ve added tricks—like sautéing mushrooms hard for deep flavor, or adding a parmesan crust for crunch. My kids now call it “Dad’s Green Clouds” (thanks, spinach!). It’s evolved, but the soul remains: simple, forgiving, and deeply satisfying. Pro tip? Double the sauce—it’s killer over zucchini noodles tomorrow!

### FAQs: Solving Kitchen Mysteries

Q: My sauce split! How to fix?
A: Don’t panic! Whisk in 1 tbsp cold broth or cream. If baked, stir vigorously—the cheese will rebind it.

Q: Can I use frozen spinach? How?
A: Absolutely! Thaw 10 oz frozen spinach, then SQUEEZE out all liquid (seriously—get aggressive!). Use in step 4.

Q: Chicken dry? What went wrong?
A: Likely overbaked or too thick. Use a meat thermometer (165°F max). Pound uniformly next time—or try thighs!

Q: Make ahead? Storage tips?
A: Assemble (unbaked) 1 day ahead—cover, refrigerate. Add 5-10 mins bake time. Leftovers? Reheat covered at 350°F. Freezes great for 3 months!

Chicken, Spinach & Mushroom Low-Carb Oven Dish

---

• Author: BeauCollier
• Total Time: ~1 hr 5 mins

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

What if comfort food didn’t come with a carb crash? This creamy chicken bake wraps juicy chicken, earthy mushrooms, and tender spinach in a green onion cream cheese sauce—then crowns it all with melty mozzarella. It’s rich, easy, and weeknight-friendly. One bite and you’ll see why it’s the MVP of dinner time!

---

Ingredients

What if comfort food didn’t come with a carb crash? This creamy chicken bake wraps juicy chicken, earthy mushrooms, and tender spinach in a green onion cream cheese sauce—then crowns it all with melty mozzarella. It’s rich, easy, and weeknight-friendly. One bite and you’ll see why it’s the MVP of dinner time!

---

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13″ dish.

2. Season chicken and lay in dish.

3. Sauté mushrooms in 2 tbsp oil until golden (5–7 mins). Add spinach, stir until wilted (2 mins).

4. Make sauce: Lower heat, stir in cream cheese + broth until smooth (2–3 mins).

5. Assemble: Spoon veggie sauce over chicken. Sprinkle mozzarella and optional parmesan.

6. Bake uncovered 45–50 mins. Rest 5 mins before serving.

Notes

• Pound chicken for even cooking.

• Don’t crowd mushrooms—they need space to brown.

• Resting time = thickened sauce + juicier chicken.

• Frozen spinach? Thaw & squeeze dry!

• Double sauce for leftovers—perfect on zucchini noodles!

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Nutrition

• Calories: 410 Cal
• Fat: 27g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Protein: 38g

Nutrition Per Serving (Serves 6)
Calories: 410 | Protein: 38g | Net Carbs: 5g | Fat: 27g | Fiber: 2g

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Low-Carb Chicken Bake isn’t just a recipe—it’s a versatile, forgiving, and endlessly customizable canvas for your culinary creativity. Whether you’re snowed in with a bare pantry, meal prepping for a hectic week, or craving global flavors, this dish delivers. It proves that eating low-carb doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or flavor. So grab that baking dish, trust the process, and let every bite remind you that the best meals are the ones made with a dash of courage and a sprinkle of love. Happy cooking, friends!