Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Parmesan Chicken Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Creamy Chicken Bake is a delicious and comforting meal that’s easy to prepare. Tender chicken breasts are baked in a rich sauce made with cream cheese, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes, finished with fresh spinach for a burst of color and flavor.

The image shows a white baking dish filled with four large baked chicken breasts covered in a creamy, cheesy sauce with a golden-brown, slightly crisp top layer. Fresh chopped spinach leaves are scattered both underneath and on top of the chicken, adding bright green color contrast to the creamy sauce and browned chicken. The edges of the dish show some baked cheese and sauce that have darkened slightly. In the top right corner, there is a small beige bowl filled with fresh green spinach leaves. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (drained of oil)
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 2 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
  • 1 cup chopped fresh spinach

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Step 2: Place the chicken breasts in the baking dish. Season each piece evenly with onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
  3. Step 3: Evenly spread the chopped sun-dried tomatoes over the chicken breasts.
  4. Step 4: In a medium bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, softened cream cheese, chicken broth, garlic powder, and all-purpose flour until the mixture is smooth. Stir in half of the grated Parmesan cheese.
  5. Step 5: Pour the creamy sauce evenly over and around the chicken breasts. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top.
  6. Step 6: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thickened. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).
  7. Step 7: Remove the baking dish from the oven and stir the chopped fresh spinach into the sauce. Let it sit for a couple of minutes until the spinach wilts.
  8. Step 8: Serve the chicken breasts topped with the creamy sauce. Pair it with rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Tips & Variations

  • For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in the seasoning mix for 30 minutes before baking.
  • Substitute baby kale or arugula for the spinach if you prefer a different green.
  • Reduce cream cheese and heavy cream slightly for a lighter sauce, or add more for a richer texture.
  • Use fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for a more pronounced garlic flavor.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven to maintain the creaminess of the sauce. If the sauce thickens too much on reheating, you can stir in a splash of chicken broth or cream to loosen it.

How to Serve

A white baking dish holds a creamy chicken dish with four browned chicken breasts partially submerged in a thick, pale yellow sauce. Bright green spinach leaves are scattered on top and around the chicken, adding a fresh and vibrant contrast to the creamy layer beneath. The edges of the sauce near the sides of the dish show a slight golden browning, indicating it was baked. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with a blue and white striped cloth nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?

Yes, but make sure to fully thaw the chicken breasts before seasoning and baking to ensure even cooking.

Is it possible to make this dish dairy-free?

You can substitute the heavy cream and cream cheese with coconut cream or a dairy-free cream cheese alternative, but the flavor and texture will be slightly different.

Print

Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Parmesan Chicken Bake Recipe

This creamy chicken bake features tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich, homemade sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and fresh spinach. Baked to perfection, it’s a comforting, flavorful dish perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

  • Author: Elena
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Salt

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Sauce

  • 2/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (drained of oil)
  • 2/3 cup heavy cream
  • 2 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)

Vegetables

  • 1 cup chopped fresh spinach

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F to prepare for baking the chicken evenly.
  2. Season chicken: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Place the chicken breasts in the dish and season them evenly with onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to infuse the meat with flavor.
  3. Add tomatoes: Evenly distribute the chopped sun-dried tomatoes over the chicken breasts for a burst of tangy, rich flavor.
  4. Whisk sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, softened cream cheese, low-sodium chicken broth, garlic powder, and all-purpose flour until the sauce is smooth. Stir in half of the grated Parmesan cheese to add a cheesy depth.
  5. Bake: Pour the cream sauce mixture over and around the chicken breasts. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese on top. Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the sauce thickens beautifully.
  6. Stir spinach: Remove the baking dish from the oven and gently stir in the chopped fresh spinach. Allow it to sit for a couple of minutes so the spinach wilts into the warm sauce.
  7. Serve: Plate the creamy chicken bake, spooning plenty of sauce over the top. Serve alongside your favorite sides such as rice, quinoa, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

Notes

  • You can substitute fresh basil or thyme for Italian seasoning to vary the herb flavor.
  • Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
  • The sauce thickens as it bakes; if it’s too thick, add a splash of chicken broth to loosen it.
  • For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
  • Let the spinach wilt off heat to maintain its vibrant color and texture.

Keywords: creamy chicken bake, baked chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach chicken bake, Parmesan chicken, easy chicken dinner

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