Mediterranean Chicken and Spinach Rice Bake

By Alqualonde

Looking for weeknight supper ideas? This super simple toss-together recipe is budget-friendly and versatile. If you don't have chicken on hand try using pieces of cooked turkey or your favorite sausage. Vegetarian? Use a can of white or black beans instead. The Mediterranean and Santa Fe -- thanks to the fresh and unexpected spike from tomatillos -- flavors in this fabulous recipe cozy up to a parade of proteins. You'll love the combo of tomatillos and spinach. The citrus zing of the tomatillos adds a definite zip to the usual greens. Light a few candles and gather for a feast. This will serve six.
Savor slowly.

Ingredients

• 1 2-pound bag spinach, frozen chopped
• 2-3 tomatillos, cored, chopped
• 3 large tomatoes, ripe plum, seeded, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4-6 ounce marinated mozzarella, sliced
• 4 ounce goat cheese, crumbled
• 3 large split chicken breasts, boneless
• 2 large Portobello mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cups cooked brown rice, or brown basmati rice
• olive oil, as needed
• gluten-free Lemon Pepper seasoning
• balsamic vinegar, as needed
• sea salt

Details

Adapted from webmd.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Thaw the spinach a bit (and pat dry if necessary) so you can scatter half of it in the bottom of a large baking dish. Sprinkle half of the tomatillos, tomatoes, and garlic on top. Season the mixture with sea salt and lemon pepper. Scatter half the cheeses.

3. In the meantime, heat up a large skillet and brown the chicken breasts in a little olive oil. Season the mixture with sea salt and Lemon Pepper.

4. Remove the chicken from the pan and cut it into bite-size pieces.

5. Sauté the Portobello slices in a little olive oil and good splash of balsamic vinegar, till tender.

6. Add the cooked chicken and the Portobello to the spinach mixture. Spoon on the rice. Top with the remaining spinach, tomatillos, tomatoes and garlic. Add the remaining sliced mozzarella and goat cheese. Put the pan in the oven. Bake until done, about 25 to 30 minutes, till heated through.