Description
Cheesy Spinach Dip Chicken Pasta is a comforting and creamy baked pasta dish combining tender chicken, spinach, and a tangy ranch-flavored cheese sauce, all topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This easy-to-make dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and serves four generously.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 2 ½ cups uncooked penne rigate
- 2 chicken breasts
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil (for cooking chicken)
Sauce and Toppings
- ½ cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt)
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup half and half or whole milk
- 1 package dry Ranch mix
- 5 oz frozen spinach or 4 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Butter a 2-quart baking dish thoroughly and set it aside for later use.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the penne rigate according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and keep it warm.
- Season and Dredge Chicken: Dice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the floured chicken pieces and cook until no longer pink in the center, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Mix Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine sour cream (or Greek yogurt), softened cream cheese, dry Ranch mix, half and half (or whole milk), and the frozen or fresh spinach. Stir well until thoroughly mixed and smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked pasta and chicken pieces to the spinach mixture. Gently stir to combine everything evenly.
- Assemble: Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared buttered baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Optional Refrigeration: At this point, you can cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you are ready to bake.
- Bake: If serving immediately, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top. Bake in a preheated 375℉ (190℃) oven for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Broil for Golden Cheese: For a browned, bubbly topping, switch the oven to the broiler on a low setting and broil the pasta for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown spots appear on the melted cheese. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the baked pasta stand at room temperature for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the casserole to set slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a tangier taste and added protein.
- Use fresh spinach if available; just sauté slightly before mixing if it contains a lot of moisture.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cheese and half and half.
- Cover and refrigerate assembled casserole up to 24 hours before baking for convenience.
- Watch closely while broiling to avoid burning the cheese topping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
