Keto Spanakopita Recipe

The Perfect Keto Spanakopita Recipe for Guilt-Free Enjoyment

Keto spanakopita reimagines a classic Mediterranean delicacy with innovative low-carb magic.

Crisp, flaky textures dance around a luscious green and creamy interior that defies traditional expectations.

Nutritional profiles shift dramatically when classic ingredients undergo clever revampations.

Mediterranean culinary traditions merge seamlessly with contemporary dietary approaches in this sophisticated meal.

Rich flavors burst through without compromising health-conscious commitments, creating a delightful sensory experience.

Comfort food embraces modern nutritional wisdom, offering a guilt-free indulgence that feels both familiar and exciting.

Keto-Friendly Spanakopita for a Healthy Twist

  • Savor Keto-Friendly Delight: This spanakopita-inspired chicken dish delivers a low-carb, high-protein meal that satisfies keto diet requirements without sacrificing flavor or enjoyment.
  • Burst with Mediterranean Flavors: Packed with feta, parmesan, and spinach, each bite offers a tangy, creamy explosion of traditional Greek-inspired taste that transforms ordinary chicken into a gourmet experience.
  • Master Effortless Cooking Technique: The butterfly and pocket method ensures even cooking, traps delicious filling inside the chicken, and creates a visually impressive dish that looks professionally prepared with minimal culinary skills required.
  • Quick and Nutritious Meal Solution: Ready in under an hour, this recipe provides a balanced, protein-rich dinner with only 325 calories, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep enthusiasts seeking healthy, flavorful options.

Key Ingredients for Keto Spanakopita

Protein Base:
  • Chicken Breasts: Lean protein source that serves as the main vessel for the flavorful filling, ensuring tender and juicy result.
  • Feta Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Tangy and sharp cheeses that add rich flavor and creamy texture to the chicken stuffing.
Filling Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese: Smooth and rich base that helps bind the filling ingredients together.
  • Spinach: Nutritious green vegetable that provides color, texture, and earthy flavor to the dish.
  • Onion Powder: Concentrated onion flavor that enhances the overall taste without adding moisture.
  • Minced Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds depth and pungent flavor to the filling.
Seasoning and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.
  • Parsley Flakes: Dried herb that adds a subtle fresh and herbaceous note.
  • Fresh Lemon Zest: Bright citrus component that provides a zesty and refreshing undertone.
  • Olive Oil: Light coating that helps promote golden-brown exterior and adds subtle richness.

How to Make Keto Spanakopita Deliciously

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

Step 2: Drain the Spinach

Use paper towels to thoroughly remove excess moisture from the spinach.

Step 3: Create the Filling

In a medium bowl, mix the following ingredients until smooth:
  • Cream cheese
  • Spinach
  • Feta cheese
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Onion powder
  • Minced garlic

Step 4: Prepare the Chicken

Carefully butterfly the chicken breasts by:
  • Cutting deep pockets without slicing through completely
  • Adding diagonal slits on top for even cooking

Step 5: Stuff the Chicken

Fill each chicken breast pocket with the prepared spinach and cheese mixture, packing it nicely.

Step 6: Arrange and Season

  • Place stuffed chicken breasts on the lined baking sheet
  • Lightly brush with oil
  • Season generously with
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Parsley flakes
  • Fresh lemon zest

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

  • Bake for 35-40 minutes until fully cooked
  • Broil on high for 3-5 minutes to achieve a golden-brown finish
  • Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving your delicious keto-friendly stuffed chicken.

Tips for a Perfect Keto Spanakopita

  • Squeeze Out Moisture: Thoroughly drain and pat spinach dry to prevent a watery filling that could make your chicken soggy.
  • Create Perfect Pockets: Use a sharp knife and steady hand when butterflying chicken breasts to ensure even stuffing and uniform cooking.
  • Cheese Distribution Technique: Gently press the spinach and cheese mixture into chicken pockets, ensuring even spread for consistent flavor in every bite.
  • Temperature Check: Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165°F, preventing undercooked meat.
  • Crispy Golden Finish: Broiling for a few extra minutes adds beautiful color and creates a delightful textural contrast to the tender chicken.

Storing and Reheating Keto Spanakopita

  • Refrigeration: Transfer cooled chicken to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain flavor integrity.
  • Freezing: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date to track freshness and prevent food waste.
  • Reheating: Warm gently in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to preserve moisture and prevent chicken from drying out. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make chicken tough and rubbery.

Pairing Keto Spanakopita with Dips

  • Savor Mediterranean Salad Companion: Pair this keto spanakopita chicken with a crisp Greek salad featuring cucumber, tomatoes, red onions, and kalamata olives dressed in olive oil and red wine vinegar.
  • Complement with Zesty White Wine: Select a crisp, dry white wine like Assyrtiko from Greece or a Sauvignon Blanc that will enhance the herbal and cheesy notes of the dish.
  • Brighten with Tzatziki Sauce: Serve alongside a cool, tangy tzatziki made from Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and fresh dill to balance the rich, warm flavors of the stuffed chicken.
  • Add Roasted Mediterranean Vegetables: Include a side of roasted zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant seasoned with oregano and thyme to complete the Greek-inspired meal and provide additional low-carb options.

Variations of Keto Spanakopita to Explore

  • Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Enhance the chicken's flavor by adding fresh dill, oregano, and thyme to the cheese mixture, creating a robust Greek-inspired profile.
  • Spicy Greek Fusion: Incorporate red pepper flakes and chopped jalapeños into the filling for a fiery kick that complements the creamy cheese and spinach.
  • Nutty Mediterranean Crunch: Sprinkle chopped almonds or pine nuts on top of the chicken before baking, adding a delightful textural element and nutty undertone.
  • Feta Cheese Lover's Dream: Double the amount of feta cheese in the filling and add crumbled feta on top during the last few minutes of broiling for an extra cheesy experience.
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Keto Spanakopita Recipe

Keto Spanakopita Recipe


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4.6 from 26 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Greek-inspired keto spanakopita offers a low-carb twist on classic Mediterranean comfort. Crispy almond flour phyllo layers embrace creamy spinach and feta, delivering rich flavors without traditional wheat-based pastry you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Protein:

  • 4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
  • 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (50 grams) crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 tablespoon plus ½ teaspoon (7 grams) parmesan cheese

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 1 package (10 ounces/283 grams) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley

Seasonings and Oils:

  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) avocado oil or olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil, creating a clean cooking surface.
  2. Carefully press excess moisture from the spinach using paper towels, ensuring a dry and concentrated filling.
  3. In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, drained spinach, crumbled feta cheese, grated parmesan cheese, onion powder, and minced garlic until the mixture becomes smooth and uniform.
  4. Gently butterfly each chicken breast by slicing a deep pocket horizontally, being careful not to cut completely through the meat.
  5. Create diagonal shallow cuts on the surface of each chicken breast to promote even cooking and enhanced seasoning absorption.
  6. Generously stuff each chicken breast pocket with the prepared spinach and cheese mixture, ensuring a full and compact filling.
  7. Arrange the stuffed chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining slight separation between each piece.
  8. Lightly brush the chicken breasts with olive oil to enhance browning and prevent drying.
  9. Sprinkle a robust blend of kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, dried parsley flakes, and fresh lemon zest across the chicken surfaces.
  10. Roast in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, monitoring the internal temperature until it reaches 165°F (74°C).
  11. Switch the oven to broil and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes to achieve a golden-brown, crispy exterior.

Notes

  • Pressing out excess liquid from spinach prevents soggy texture and ensures crisp, flavorful filling.
  • Butterfly technique maximizes stuffing capacity while creating beautiful presentation for each chicken breast.
  • Mixing cheeses creates rich, creamy blend that complements spinach’s earthy undertones perfectly.
  • Seasoning with lemon zest and herbs elevates basic chicken dish into gourmet Mediterranean-inspired experience.
  • High-temperature baking guarantees crispy exterior and juicy interior, delivering restaurant-quality results at home.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 325 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 410 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 28 g
  • Cholesterol: 85 mg
Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen

Founder, Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Artisanal Bread Making
  • Exquisite Pastry Craftsmanship
  • Creative Dessert Presentation
  • Flavor Profile Development
  • Menu Concept Innovation.

Education

Savannah Technical College

  • Program: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts
  • Focus: A specialized program focusing on baking and pastry fundamentals, including bread making, cake decorating, and advanced pastry techniques. Developed creative presentation skills and an understanding of ingredient functions through lab-based practice.

Mary Ellen is the heart and soul of thatsmyhome.com. As the founder, pastry chef, and recipe developer, she refined her skills at Savannah Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts. 

Mary blends classic techniques with modern twists to make artisanal breads, beautifully crafted pastries, and desserts full of unique flavor. Her passion is evident in every recipe, and she enjoys sharing her expertise through hands-on pastry workshops and insightful articles in local culinary magazines.

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