Introduction

This oven-baked chicken breasts recipe features tender, thinly sliced chicken topped with a creamy spinach and sun-dried tomato mixture. It’s a simple, flavorful dish that comes together quickly and makes for a satisfying dinner any night of the week.

The image shows three baked chicken breasts on white parchment paper, arranged on a surface with a white marbled texture. Each chicken breast is topped with a creamy spinach mixture that has melted cheese, giving it a bubbly, golden-brown look with spots of deeper brown from roasting. The spinach is dark green and mixed into the creamy white sauce, and there are small bits of red, likely sun-dried tomatoes, scattered throughout the topping. The chicken looks tender and juicy beneath the layered creamy topping. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2 (8-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
3/4 teaspoon table salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups chopped fresh spinach, stems removed
3 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally so the pieces are about 1/2 inch thick. Pat dry with paper towels if needed. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking tray. Season both sides evenly with salt and pepper and set aside.
Step 2: In a skillet, cook the chopped spinach over medium heat until wilted. Meanwhile, microwave the cream cheese for about 20 seconds until very soft. In a bowl, combine the cooked spinach, softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic powder, mixing until well blended. Spread this mixture evenly over the top of each chicken piece.
Step 3: Bake the chicken uncovered at 425°F for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of your chicken pieces. Allow the chicken to rest at room temperature for about 5 minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken briefly in olive oil and lemon juice before seasoning.
Use fresh mozzarella instead of cheddar for a milder, creamier topping.
Substitute sun-dried tomatoes with roasted red peppers for a different twist.
To keep chicken moist, avoid overbaking and check with a meat thermometer for an internal temperature of 165°F.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through to maintain moisture and flavor.

How to Serve

The image shows three pieces of cooked chicken breasts topped with a creamy mixture of melted cheese, spinach, and bits of red pepper, all baked to a golden brown. Each chicken breast has one thick layer of pale pink chicken as the base, covered by a thick, uneven layer of creamy white sauce mixed with vibrant dark green spinach leaves and scattered small chunks of yellow and orange melted cheese and red pepper, creating a colorful and textured topping. The dish sits on white parchment paper on a white marbled surface, with some crumbs and small burnt spots around the chicken pieces. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?

Yes, but make sure to thaw and thoroughly drain the spinach before cooking to avoid excess moisture in the topping.

What if I don’t have cream cheese on hand?

You can substitute cream cheese with ricotta or mascarpone for a similar creamy texture, though the flavor will be slightly different.

Oven Baked Chicken Breasts with Spinach, Cream Cheese, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes Recipe

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4.6 from 135 reviews

This Oven Baked Chicken Breasts recipe features tender, thinly sliced chicken breasts topped with a creamy mixture of spinach, cream cheese, cheddar, and sun-dried tomatoes, baked to perfection for a flavorful and easy dinner option.

Author: Cleo
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 (8-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts
3/4 teaspoon table salt
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Topping

2 cups chopped fresh spinach, stems removed
3 ounces cream cheese
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

Prepare Chicken: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally so the pieces are no thicker than 1/2 inch. If the chicken is moist, pat dry with paper towels to ensure better browning. Lay the chicken pieces in a single layer on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and black pepper. Set aside while preparing the topping.
Make Topping: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chopped spinach until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the cream cheese for about 20 seconds until very soft. Combine the cooked spinach, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic powder in a bowl, stirring until the mixture is evenly blended. Spread this creamy topping evenly over the surface of each chicken piece.
Bake: Place the baking tray with the topped chicken pieces in the preheated oven. Bake uncovered at 425°F for approximately 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove from oven and let the chicken rest at room temperature for about 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Note 1: Use boneless skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of excess fat for best results.
Note 2: Fresh spinach is preferred; remove tough stems before chopping for a tender topping.
Note 3: Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for more flavor, drained and finely chopped.
Note 4: Slicing chicken breasts thinly ensures quicker, even cooking and prevents dryness.
Note 5: Resting the chicken after baking improves juiciness and flavor.

Keywords: oven baked chicken breasts, spinach cream cheese chicken, baked chicken recipe, cheesy chicken bake, healthy chicken dinner