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4 chicken thighs (thin, boneless and skinless)

2 Tablespoons (30 milliliters) avocado oil (divided)

2 Tablespoons (30 grams) minced garlic

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon paprika

⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes

7 ounces cream cheese (softened)

5 cups (~140 grams) fresh spinach

4 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

Freshly-cracked black pepper

Pinch of paprika

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1. Marinate Chicken: To a freezer bag, add chicken, 1 Tablespoon avocado oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, pepper, salt, paprika, and red pepper flakes. Seal bag and, using hands, shake and massage mixture into chicken until marinade ingredients are well-combined. Transfer bag to refrigerator to marinate.

2. Preheat Oven: Place oven rack in middle of oven, preheat oven to 450 degrees F, and coat 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

3. Wilt Spinach: While oven preheats, in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat, heat remaining 1 Tablespoon avocado oil. Add spinach and allow to wilt and for excess liquid to cook off, then remove pan from the heat and set pan aside.

4. Prepare Chicken Bake: Unseal bag of marinated chicken and, using tongs, transfer chicken to prepared baking pan. Using a knife, spread softened cream cheese atop chicken pieces and then, using tongs, lay spinach atop cream cheese. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top.

5. Bake: Transfer pan to oven to bake until chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 20-22 minutes.

6. Garnish and Serve: Remove pan from oven, garnish with pepper and paprika, then serve.

Ingredient substitution suggestions

Chicken Thighs: Replace with boneless skinless chicken breasts.

Avocado Oil: Use olive oil or melted butter instead.

Cream Cheese: Sour cream can be subbed in at a 1:1 ratio.

Fresh Spinach: Frozen spinach can be used. Thaw the frozen spinach on the stovetop or in warm water, then drain before using. Gently squeeze out any excess water before adding it on top of the chicken.

Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: Provolone slices, cheddar cheese slices, or shredded cheddar cheese can be used.

✨ Variations

Mix up the chicken marinade by adding other herbs and spices, like oregano, cumin, ground thyme, rosemary, or chili powder.

Add some Mediterranean flavors to the dish by incorporating ingredients like sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Sprinkle these ingredients over the spinach and mozzarella layer before baking.

Cook some bacon and crumble it over the cream cheese layer. Drizzle ranch dressing on top for a tangy kick.

Boost the vegetable content by adding other veggies like chopped mushrooms and bell peppers on top of the spinach layer.