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