Erika Wassall, the Jersey Farm Scribe here with an amazing casserole dish you won’t believe. Why won’t you believe it you ask? It’s too amazing to be this simple. We’re talking restaurant quality flavor here, folks. This Chicken Florentine Casserole recipe is great for a simple family dinner or even to feed a big crowd! Chicken Florentine is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts sautéed and served on a bed of creamy spinach. The casserole dish is has a rich sauce made from milk, butter, garlic, and Parmesan cheese, for such a satisfying flavor!
How To Make Chicken Florentine Casserole:
The spinach in the dish is key to its name, as “Florentine” refers to recipes that include spinach, a nod to the cuisine of Florence, Italy. Chicken Florentine is popular for its rich, comforting flavors and its ability to be both elegant and satisfying, making it a favorite in both home kitchens and restaurants.
First of all, let’s start with the chicken. Because here’s the kicker, this part doesn’t really matter. You just need… chicken. And really, it’s FAR from the star of the show, so how much and where you get it from doesn’t matter all that much. I suggest using pulled chicken from my Roasted Chicken Legs recipe. That’s what I did but you could also use a rotisserie chicken from the store for ease. Now, put the chicken aside, because again, it’s not the star.
What is Florentine Sauce Made Of?
The star of this dish is the amazing combination of a quick homemade sauce with spinach and tomatoes. You’re going to love this creamy white sauce.
Take a pan, throw a whole stick of butter in there. Yes, the whole thing. Or, you could do what I did, throw half a stick in, and then keep saying “well, just one more little bit” until the whole thing was gone. This recipe will feed a lot of people, so it’s not really that bad.
Toss in a bit of milk. And your chicken stock. See? We lightened it up that way. So now you can feel better, and go ahead with that entire stick of butter.
Let that all simmer together while you slice up a pint of cherry tomatoes. You can use whatever kind of tomatoes you like, I had cherry on hand and it was great. But no question, in mid summer when I have tomatoes from the garden, I would use whatever was fresh, and warm from the sun.
Toss in some garlic salt, rosemary (or substitute Italian seasoning) , more garlic, black pepper, grated parmesan cheese and the cherry tomatoes. More simmering.
Now, get two packages of creamed spinach. I used frozen but canned would work fine too. If they’re frozen, pop them in the microwave just for a minute or two to soften them up and toss them in the pan.
More simmering for this spinach mixture.
Your amazing Florentine sauce is good to go now. Taste it. Now remind yourself that you can’t eat it all with a spoon because it’s for dinner. (But again, it makes a lot so go ahead and nip a little here and there.
Boil the water for pasta. Any pasta will work. I actually would normally not have used spaghetti, but it was all I had. And you know what… now I will use it again. The long noodles were an amazing match up. But don’t stress it. Use whatever is in the cabinet.
When the noodles have about 4 minutes left, toss the shredded chicken in the sauce pan and stir it into the sauce… which is still simmering. You don’t want the chicken to cook too much and get tough. It’s already cooked remember, so you’re just warming it up.
Chicken Florentine Pasta Bake
Drain the pasta and then mix it all together in a big (seriously guys, it has to be pretty big) casserole dish.
Top with mozzarella cheese. Yes, you can technically skip this. It will still work. But this step has two positives.
One… you can do everything up to this point, cover the casserole dish and wait until you’re ready to eat (a great plus if you have company over or a crazy evening schedule!).
Two… mozzarella cheese is great melted on top of just about anything. And it will give this chicken Florentine casserole recipe an even more beautiful presentation on the table.
The mozzarella topping helps this Chicken Florentine Pasta Bake come out beautifully browned cheese on top… like this:
You don’t need much. We’re not covering it so much that you can’t see the beauty beneath it. Just a light sprinkle. Then pop it under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until it is golden brown. Now you are done! So as you can see the oven part gives it a lovely browned mozzarella top which I don’t want to miss!
Some people like to bake this casserole in a 350 degree F oven for 20-30 minutes to help it come together and warm up but I say, it is always warm and perfectly delicious! So I go straight to the broiling of the cheese.
This chicken Florentine recipe is seriously amazing. It looks like it came from a professional chef’s oven, it’s easy, could feed a small army (6 people, easy, maybe add some bread on the side) and it has an unbelievable flavor. You can top it off with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if you like a little added heat.
Try this chicken florentine casserole recipe any weeknight, because it’s simple and quick, or on a Sunday night for a crowd-pleasing family dinner. I bet you’ll get asked to make it again!
What’s A Good Side Dish For Chicken Florentine?
You don’t need a side dish! That is the beauty of the Chicken Florentine Casserole, it is all mixed together into one glorious casserole dish of yumminess. It has carbs, protein, and veggies. Done! Although, you can definitely serve some nice crusty Italian bread or homemade Focaccia with it if you really want to impress.
Printable Chicken Florentine Casserole Recipe Card
Delicious Chicken Florentine Casserole Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups of shredded, cooked chicken
- 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 lb pasta (any type)
- 8 TBS butter
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 packages of creamed spinach
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 TBS rosemary
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon diced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Melt butter with milk in a pan over medium heat.
- Add cherry tomatoes, parmesan cheese, rosemary, garlic, salt, garlic, creamed spinach. Mix and simmer 10 minutes.
- Cook pasta.
- Add chicken into the sauce pan during the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking.
- Drain pasta, and combine with chicken and sauce mixture in a large casserole dish.
- Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and put under broiler for 3-5 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy.
Nutrition Facts
Delicious Chicken Florentine Casserole Recipe
Serves: 6
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 711.01 kcal | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 32.0 g | 49.2% | |
| Saturated Fat 17.96 g | 85% | |
| Trans Fat 0.62 g | ||
| Cholesterol 115.3 mg | 38.3% | |
| Sodium 567.62 mg | 23.6% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 68.69 g | 22.7% | |
| Dietary Fiber 5.36 g | 20% | |
| Sugars 7.68 g | ||
| Protein 37.59 g | ||
| Vitamin A 77.82 % | Vitamin C 38.85 % | |
| Calcium 43.73 % | Iron 25.83 % | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Family Focus Blog
Chicken Florentine Bake Conclusion
Chicken Florentine Bake is a delicious and comforting dish that brings together the rich flavors of tender chicken, creamy spinach, and melted cheese in a convenient, oven-baked format. This dish is perfect for those looking for a hearty and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare yet impressive enough for special occasions. The combination of savory chicken, nutritious spinach, and a creamy, cheesy sauce makes this bake a crowd-pleaser that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Whether served with a side fresh salad, or crusty bread, Chicken Florentine Bake is a versatile and flavorful option that brings the essence of Italian comfort food to your table.
Easy peasy! This is a great recipe for a weeknight dinner with so little prep time. Now, serve the Chicken Florentine Casserole. Eat. Amaze your friends! Have you tried cooking Chicken Florentine before? Do you think you will try this simple casserole recipe?
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Lisa Kerr says
The flavors meld beautifully, with the richness of the sauce complementing the savory chicken and spinach. Overall, it’s a well-balanced, flavorful dish that’s both easy to prepare and enjoyable to eat.
Nikki Minors says
Thanks for sharing this great dinner solution. I made it for yesterday and my whole family loved it! Chicken Florentine Casserole is a delightful twist on the traditional Chicken Florentine, offering all the flavors you love in a convenient, one-pan dish. The casserole combines tender chicken pieces with a creamy spinach mixture, enhanced with garlic & Parmesan cheese. The top is sprinkled with additional cheese, which bakes to a golden, bubbly perfection. Yum.
linda moore says
This really sounds amazing! I will try this for my family. Easy but filled with a lot of love, Thank you for this one. Adding it to my collection. I will try it with whole wheat pasta.