Description
This Spinach Artichoke Spaghetti Squash with Chicken is a delicious, low-carb twist on the classic creamy spinach artichoke dip, served inside roasted spaghetti squash halves and topped with melted mozzarella. Tender chicken breast adds protein, while a creamy sauce featuring cream cheese and Greek yogurt makes it rich yet wholesome. A perfect comforting meal that’s both healthy and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Spaghetti Squash
- 1 large spaghetti squash (about 3-4 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil (for cooking)
Sauce and Vegetables
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- ½ medium sweet onion (finely diced)
- 3 garlic cloves (finely minced)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole milk
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- 4 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1 (5.3-ounce) container plain Greek yogurt (full-fat)
- 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts (drained and quartered)
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves (thinly sliced)
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley (finely chopped, optional)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F to get it ready for roasting the spaghetti squash.
- Prepare spaghetti squash: Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds. Drizzle and rub 2 tablespoons of avocado oil all over the flesh, then sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Bake spaghetti squash: Place the squash halves cut side down on the baking sheet. Roast in the oven for 45-60 minutes, or until the flesh is tender and edges start to caramelize. Remove from the oven and flip over. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before using a fork to scrape and fluff the squash strands from the inside.
- Prepare chicken: Cut chicken breasts into four 4-ounce portions. Place under plastic wrap and pound to 1-inch thickness using a meat mallet. In a small bowl, mix Italian seasoning with ¾ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, then sprinkle evenly over both sides of the chicken.
- Cook chicken: Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken for about 5-6 minutes on one side, flip, cover, and cook another 5-6 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a plate, let rest for 5-10 minutes, then cut into bite-sized cubes.
- Cook onion and garlic: In the same skillet, add butter. Once melted, add diced onion and cook 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Make the base: Reduce heat to medium-low. Whisk in the flour to form a thick paste. Slowly add milk and chicken broth a little at a time over about 5 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid lumps and build a creamy sauce.
- Finish the sauce: Stir in cream cheese, Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper until smooth. Mix in quartered artichoke hearts, sliced spinach, and diced chicken. Simmer for 4-5 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens slightly.
- Fill the squash and broil: Turn the oven to broil. Evenly spoon the spinach-artichoke-chicken mixture into the roasted squash halves, mixing the strands to distribute sauce through the squash. Top each half with ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Broil for 3-5 minutes until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve warm and enjoy this hearty, creamy, and nutritious meal.
Notes
- You can substitute Greek yogurt with sour cream if preferred, but Greek yogurt adds protein and tanginess.
- For a dairy-free version, replace cream cheese and butter with dairy-free alternatives.
- If you want a spicier dish, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Make sure the chicken is fully cooked to 165°F for safety.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
