Ingredients
- Cooking Spray
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 1 ½ cups Yellow Onion finely chopped
- 6 cloves Garlic thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons Dried Italian Seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper
- 1 ¾ teaspoons Kosher Salt divided
- 3 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour
- 2 ½ cups Whole Milk
- 4 ounces Chive and Onion Cream Cheese
- 4 cups Rotisserie Chicken shredded
- 3 cups Long-Grain White Rice cooked
- 2 packages 10 ounces each Frozen Chopped Spinach, thawed and excess water squeezed out
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
- 8 ounces Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- ¼ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
Instructions
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Preparation of Ingredients: Assemble all ingredients to ensure availability and ease of use during the cooking process.
Oven Preheating and Dish Preparation:
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
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Adjust the oven rack to the upper third position.
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Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish evenly with cooking spray.
Sautéing the Base:
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In a large nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
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Add the chopped onion, sliced garlic, Italian seasoning, crushed red pepper, and ¾ teaspoon of the kosher salt.
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Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are softened and translucent, approximately 4 minutes.
Creating the Roux:
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Stir in the flour and continue to cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
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Gradually add the milk, continuing to stir constantly to prevent any lumps, until the mixture slightly thickens, about 3 minutes.
Combining the Main Ingredients:
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Incorporate the cream cheese and the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt into the sauce, stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture is homogeneous.
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Remove the skillet from the heat.
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Stir in the shredded chicken, cooked rice, drained spinach, lemon juice, and lemon zest until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Baking:
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Transfer the prepared mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
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Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses over the top.
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Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese on top is melted, approximately 15 minutes.
Broiling for a Golden Finish:
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After baking, turn the oven to broil.
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Broil the casserole for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.