Chicken and Spinach Bread Bake (Strata) Recipe
This Chicken and Spinach Strata is a hearty and comforting bread bake perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light dinner. Layers of crusty French bread, creamy spinach, juicy chicken, and a rich cheese and egg custard bake to golden perfection, creating a flavorful and satisfying dish that’s easy to prepare and deliciously versatile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (including soaking time)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Bread Bake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Bread and Cheese
- 7 cups French bread, cut into 2 cm (1 inch) cubes
- 1 cup grated cheese (any melting cheese like tasty, cheddar, or mozzarella)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Protein
- 250 g (8 oz) frozen spinach (2 packets, chopped)
- 1 cup shredded or diced cooked chicken (or any other cooked protein like ham or bacon)
Egg Mixture
- 6 eggs
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1 tsp salt
- Black pepper to taste
Garnish (Optional)
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Defrost Spinach: Defrost the frozen spinach in the microwave on high for 4 minutes, then squeeze out any excess water to prevent sogginess.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, black pepper, and grated Parmesan until well combined to form a custard base.
- Layer Bread: Spread half of the cubed French bread evenly into the base of a 25 cm x 25 cm (10″ x 10″) baking dish.
- Add Fillings: Layer the spinach over the bread, followed by the shredded chicken, then sprinkle half of the grated melting cheese on top.
- Add Remaining Bread: Cover with the remaining bread cubes and gently press down to compress the layers, which helps the egg mixture soak evenly.
- Pour Egg Mixture: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread layers, ensuring all pieces are covered.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top and press down lightly once more to help the bread absorb the egg custard.
- Rest: Let the strata sit for at least 15 minutes, preferably 30 minutes, to allow the egg mixture to soak fully.
- Freeze Option: If freezing, cover the baking dish tightly and freeze. Thaw completely before cooking.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes to cook through without drying out.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately for best taste.
Notes
- Use crusty French bread to ensure the strata holds together well and soaks up the egg custard.
- Any cooked protein such as ham or bacon can substitute chicken to vary the flavor.
- Defrosting and draining the spinach prevents the strata from becoming watery.
- Letting the strata soak before baking improves texture and flavor absorption.
- Freezing option allows you to prepare ahead — thaw completely before baking to ensure even cooking.
- Use a baking dish around 25 cm x 25 cm (10″ x 10″) for the best layering and cooking results.
Keywords: chicken strata, spinach bread bake, savory breakfast casserole, egg custard bake, brunch recipe
