Creamy Chicken Casserole Skillet: A 30-Minute Meal

The search for the perfect weeknight dinner can feel endless. We crave something that is quick, easy to clean up, and satisfying for the entire family. Enter the ultimate one-pan wonder: this Creamy Chicken Casserole Skillet. This recipe brings together tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and vibrant spinach, all enveloped in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce with whole-wheat pasta. It’s a complete, comforting meal made in a single ovenproof skillet, which means less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your delicious creation. Get ready to add a new favorite to your dinner rotation!

Ingredients for Your Skillet Casserole

This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients to create a rich and satisfying meal that tastes like it took hours to prepare.

Ingredient	Amount/Quantity
Whole-wheat pasta (like rotini or elbows)	6 ounces
Extra-virgin olive oil, divided	3 tablespoons
Small onion, chopped	1
White mushrooms, sliced	8 ounces
Fine sea salt, divided	½ teaspoon
Freshly ground black pepper, divided	½ teaspoon
Garlic, minced	2 cloves
All-purpose flour	2 tablespoons
Whole milk	1 ½ cups
Dijon mustard	1 teaspoon
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, divided	¾ cup
Cooked chicken, chopped or shredded	2 cups
Frozen chopped spinach, thawed & squeezed dry	1 (10 ounce) package

Timing

This all-in-one skillet meal is perfect for busy evenings, coming together in under an hour.

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: Approximately 45 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to create a cheesy, bubbly, and delicious one-skillet dinner.

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Cook the Pasta

First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). While the oven heats, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until it’s al dente (still has a slight bite). Drain the pasta well and set it aside.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes until it begins to soften. Add the sliced mushrooms, along with ¼ teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 6 minutes, until the mushrooms have softened and released their liquid. Finally, stir in the minced garlic and cook for one minute more until fragrant. Transfer this vegetable mixture to a large bowl.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Parmesan Sauce

Return the same skillet to the heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring constantly for one minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Add the Dijon mustard. Continue to cook, whisking, for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken.

Step 4: Combine Everything in the Skillet

Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in ½ cup of the grated Parmesan cheese and the remaining ¼ teaspoon each of salt and pepper until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Now, add everything back into the skillet: the cooked pasta, the cooked chicken, the squeezed-dry spinach, and the cooked mushroom and onion mixture. Stir gently until everything is well coated in the creamy sauce.

Step 5: Bake Until Bubbly and Golden

Smooth the top of the casserole with a spatula and sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden. Serve hot!

Nutritional Information

Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown per serving, assuming 4 servings.

• Calories: ~580 kcal
• Protein: 40 g
• Fat: 25 g
• Carbohydrates: 48 g (Fiber: 8 g)

Healthier Alternatives & Variations

This versatile recipe can be easily adapted to your dietary needs.

• Low-Carb/Keto: For a keto-friendly version, simply omit the pasta. You can add more vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower, or serve the creamy chicken mixture over cauliflower rice.
• Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta (lentil or chickpea pasta works great!) and substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend to thicken the sauce.
• Lighter Sauce: To reduce the fat content, you can use 2% milk instead of whole milk, or replace half of the milk with low-sodium chicken broth.

Serving Suggestions

This creamy chicken casserole is a hearty, all-in-one meal that doesn’t need much else!

• On the Side: A simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette provides a fresh contrast to the rich, creamy casserole.
• For the Sauce: A side of crusty garlic bread is perfect for soaking up every last bit of the delicious Parmesan sauce.
• Garnish: A sprinkle of fresh parsley or red pepper flakes before serving can add a pop of color and flavor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

For a perfect skillet casserole every time, watch out for these common issues.

• Watery Sauce from Spinach: Frozen spinach holds a surprising amount of water. If you don’t squeeze it out, it will thin out your beautiful cream sauce. Solution: After thawing, place the spinach in the center of a clean kitchen towel or several layers of paper towels and wring it out until it’s as dry as possible.
• Lumpy Cream Sauce: Adding all the milk at once to the hot flour mixture (the roux) is a recipe for lumps. Solution: Pour the milk in gradually—about a quarter cup at a time—while whisking constantly. This allows the flour to incorporate smoothly.
• Mushy Pasta: Remember that the pasta will cook a second time in the oven. If you boil it for too long initially, it can become soft and mushy. Solution: Cook the pasta just until al dente, meaning it still has a firm bite. It will finish cooking to perfection in the oven.

Storing Tips

Leftovers of this casserole are just as delicious the next day!

• Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Reheat individual portions in the microwave. To reheat a larger amount, place it in a baking dish, add a splash of milk to loosen the sauce, cover with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until heated through.

Conclusion

This Creamy Chicken Casserole Skillet is the answer to your weeknight dinner prayers. It’s a wholesome, satisfying, and incredibly flavorful meal that comes together quickly and with minimal cleanup. The combination of tender chicken, pasta, and vegetables in a rich Parmesan cream sauce is pure comfort in a pan. We hope this becomes a new favorite in your home. Let us know how you enjoyed it in the comments below!

FAQs

Q1. Can I use fresh spinach instead of frozen?

Yes! Use about 5-6 ounces of fresh spinach. Add it to the skillet after the mushrooms and garlic have cooked and stir until it has wilted down completely, which should only take a couple of minutes.

Q2. What if I don’t have an ovenproof skillet?

No problem. You can prepare the sauce and mix all the ingredients in a regular skillet on the stovetop, then transfer the entire mixture to a greased 2-quart baking dish before topping with cheese and baking as directed.

Q3. Can I use a different type of cheese?

Certainly. While Parmesan adds a wonderful salty, nutty flavor, this casserole would also be delicious with grated Gruyère, white cheddar, or a Monterey Jack cheese stirred into the sauce and sprinkled on top.

Q4. What is the easiest way to get cooked chicken for this recipe?

Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is the fastest and easiest option. Simply pull the meat from the bones and shred or chop it. You can also use any leftover cooked chicken you have on hand, or quickly poach or pan-fry a couple of chicken breasts.