Creamy White Chicken and Spinach Lasagna
Ingredients
- 12dry lasagna noodles
- 1 tbspolive oil
- 1 tspsalt
- 2 tbspolive oil
- 1 conion
finely chopped
- 1 tbspgarlic
minced
- 1 cchicken broth
or 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon powder + 1 cup water
- 2 tbspall-purpose flour
or cornstarch
- 2 cheavy cream
- 2 cfresh baby spinach
2 ounces
- 2 cricotta cheese
16 ounces
- 2 cmozzarella cheese
shredded and divided
- ¼ cparmesan cheese
grated
- 1egg
beaten
- ¼ cfresh parsley
chopped
- 1 lbshredded chicken
homemade roast chicken or storebought, 3 cups
Directions
Cook the lasagna noodles:
- 1
Preheat oven to 375 F.
- 2
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium high heat. Add lasagna noodles, olive oil and salt and cook until al dente (fully cooked but still firm), or according to package directions, about 10 minutes. Rinse the noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside in the pot.
Prepare the creamy spinach white sauce:
- 1
Heat oil in a large saucepan for 2 minutes over medium-high heat until the oil is sizzling hot. Add onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- 2
Stir in chicken broth and flour and whisk until smooth and uniform. The sauce might initially be a little clumpy.
- 3
Whisk in heavy cream and bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat. Let it simmer, stirring occasionally until thickened, about 5-8 minutes. The sauce should be similar in consistency to a gravy and be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
- 4
Remove from heat and stir in spinach. Set aside.
Prepare the cheese mixture:
- 1
In a medium bowl, combine ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, beaten egg, and parsley. Stir well to combine together. Set aside.
Assemble the lasagna:
- 1
Evenly spread 1/2 cup of the sauce in a 9x13 baking pan. Place 3 lasagna noodles evenly apart over the sauce. Spread 1/3 of the sauce evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle half the shredded chicken evenly over the sauce. Spread 1/4 of the ricotta cheese mixture on top.
- 2
Add another layer of 3 lasagna noodles. Spread half of ricotta cheese mixture on top.
- 3
Add another layer of 3 lasagna noodles. Spread 1/3 of the sauce evenly over the noodles. Sprinkle remaining half of shredded chicken evenly over the sauce. Spread remaining 1/4 of the ricotta cheese mixture on top.
- 4
Add remaining 3 lasagna noodles. Add remaining 1/3 sauce on top. Top with remaining cup of mozzarella.
Bake the lasagna:
- 1
Lightly grease a large piece of aluminum foil and cover the pan with the greased side inside. Greasing the foil prevents the melted cheese from sticking to the foil while baking. Bake the lasagna covered for 45 minutes.
- 2
Remove the foil and bake uncovered for another 20 minutes or until the melted cheese turns golden brown and bubbly. Optionally, turn on broiler on high and broil for 3-4 minutes to get a crispy and brown cheesy crust. But keep a close eye on the broiler as things can burn quickly.
- 3
Let the lasagna cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing. This ensures that the sauce sets and isn't runny when you cut into the lasagna.
Creamy White Chicken and Spinach Lasagna
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 10 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a truly comforting meal that feeds a crowd and tastes incredible? This Creamy White Chicken and Spinach Lasagna delivers on every front, offering layers of tender shredded chicken, creamy cheese, and fresh spinach for an unforgettable dining experience.
What sets this chicken lasagna apart is its unparalleled creaminess and rich, cheesy filling, all perfectly balanced with the delicate earthiness of fresh baby spinach. It’s designed to be the most comforting and satisfying white lasagna you’ll ever make, easy to assemble and even simpler to enjoy, truly defining what makes a great "make ahead chicken lasagna."
Imagine sinking your fork into a generous slice where each bite is a perfect harmony of flavors and textures. You'll encounter the tender, juicy shredded chicken nestled between perfectly cooked lasagna noodles, all enveloped in a luxurious, velvety white sauce. The blend of creamy ricotta, melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella, and savory Parmesan cheeses provides a satisfying depth of richness, while the fresh baby spinach adds a delightful hint of freshness and vibrant color. This dish isn't just a meal; it's a profoundly cheesy and comforting experience, ideal for gatherings or a cozy night in.
This versatile Creamy White Chicken and Spinach Lasagna offers a few easy swaps to perfectly suit your pantry and schedule. For the shredded chicken, you can readily use either store-bought rotisserie chicken for ultimate convenience or your own homemade roast chicken for a personal touch. When preparing the rich, creamy sauce, feel free to substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch if you prefer a gluten-free thickener, and a simple combination of chicken bouillon powder with water works perfectly in place of chicken broth without compromising flavor.
This generous lasagna, yielding 9 satisfying servings, is perfect for a comforting family dinner, a standout potluck contribution, or a cherished meal shared with friends. Serve it simply on its own, perhaps alongside a light green salad or some crusty bread to soak up every last bit of that luscious sauce.