Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Intensity Level: Easy (1 out of 5) – Minimal chopping, one-pan prep, no fancy techniques.
Servings: 6
Calories per serving: 415 kcal
This isn’t your average diet food. Imagine the creamy, tangy, irresistible dip from your favorite restaurant — but transformed into a high-protein, low-carb, utterly satisfying weeknight casserole. Juicy shredded chicken, tender artichoke hearts, and nutrient-packed spinach are baked together in a rich, cheesy, Greek yogurt-based sauce. It’s gluten-free, keto-friendly, and delivers 42 grams of protein per serving to keep you full for hours. Let’s dive in.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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One dish from stove to oven.
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Meal prep hero – Tastes even better on day two.
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No cream cheese or heavy cream (thanks to Greek yogurt!).
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Freezer-friendly – Make two, freeze one.
Ingredients
For the Casserole
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4 cups (560g) cooked, shredded chicken breast (about 2 large breasts or 1 rotisserie chicken)
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10 oz (280g) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed very dry
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14 oz (400g) canned artichoke hearts (in water), drained and roughly chopped
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1.5 cups (340g) plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
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1 cup (240ml) low-sodium chicken broth
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1 cup (100g) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
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1 cup (120g) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp onion powder
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1 tsp dried oregano
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½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional – for heat)
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Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Topping (optional but recommended)
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¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan (remaining from above)
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2 tbsp almond flour or pork panko (for keto) / regular panko (if not low-carb)
Equipment Needed
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Large oven-safe skillet (12-inch) or a 9×13 baking dish
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Mixing bowls
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Colander or fine-mesh sieve (for artichokes)
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Cheese grater
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Wooden spoon or spatula
Instructions (Step-by-Step)
Phase 1: Prep & Preheat (5 minutes, Low Intensity)
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Thaw spinach – if using frozen, microwave for 2 minutes, then place in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze until no liquid remains. (Wet spinach = watery casserole.)
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Drain artichokes – press them gently with paper towels to remove excess brine. Chop into ½-inch pieces.
Phase 2: Build The Creamy Base (10 minutes, Medium Intensity)
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In a large mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, chicken broth, minced garlic, onion powder, oregano, red pepper flakes, salt (½ tsp), and pepper (¼ tsp). Whisk until smooth.
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Stir in ¾ cup of the Parmesan and ¾ cup of the mozzarella. Reserve the remaining cheese for the top.
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Add the shredded chicken, chopped artichokes, and dry spinach to the bowl. Fold everything together until every piece is coated in the sauce.
Phase 3: Assemble & Bake (30 minutes, Low Intensity)
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Transfer the mixture to your oven-safe skillet (or a greased 9×13 dish). Spread evenly.
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Top with the remaining ¼ cup Parmesan and ¼ cup mozzarella.
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Optional crisp topping: Sprinkle almond flour/panko over the cheese.
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Bake uncovered for 25 minutes, then broil on high for 2–3 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
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Let rest for 5 minutes before serving – the casserole will set as it cools.
Time & Intensity Summary Table
| Phase | Time | Intensity (1-5) | Key Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prep (thaw, drain, chop) | 5 min | 1 (Very Low) | Squeeze spinach dry |
| Building the sauce & mix | 10 min | 2 (Low-Medium) | Stirring & folding |
| Assembly & baking | 25 min bake + 3 min broil | 1 (Low) | Watch for golden top |
| Resting | 5 min | 0 (None) | Do not skip – sets texture |
Overall Intensity: EASY – No separating eggs, no roux, no complicated knife work.
Nutrition Facts (per serving – 1/6 of casserole)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 415 |
| Protein | 42g |
| Fat | 18g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Net Carbs | 8g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Sodium | 610mg |
| Calcium | 380mg (29% DV) |
| Iron | 2.1mg (12% DV) |
| Vitamin A | 4800 IU (96% DV) |
| Vitamin C | 12mg (13% DV) |