Description
This creamy White Chicken Lasagna is a comforting American classic combining tender shredded chicken, fresh spinach, and a rich ricotta and béchamel sauce layered between perfectly cooked noodles and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Baked to golden bubbly perfection, it’s a hearty main course perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Scale
Lasagna Layers
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
- 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the lasagna.
- Cook Noodles: Boil the lasagna noodles according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside to cool.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Make Sauce Base: Stir in the flour to the butter and aromatics mixture and cook for about one minute, stirring constantly to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Add Liquids and Thicken: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and chicken broth, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Season Sauce: Add salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning to the sauce. Remove from heat and stir in the ricotta cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Lasagna: In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of the sauce on the bottom. Layer lasagna noodles over the sauce, followed by shredded chicken, chopped spinach, more sauce, and a portion of mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a final layer of sauce topped with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to heat through.
- Brown Cheese: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the lasagna is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes after baking to set, then slice and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute rotisserie chicken for convenience and added flavor.
- Add mushrooms or broccoli to the layers for extra vegetable nutrition and texture.
- Use whole wheat noodles instead of regular for a healthier, higher fiber alternative.
