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Chicken Lasagna

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This Chicken Lasagna recipe isn’t like any you’ve probably enjoyed before!  With only 6 ingredients, this main dish will become your new family favorite go-to recipe!  Perfect for dinner tonight or as a freezer meal!

 

 

Are you looking for an easy recipe that is a definite crowd pleaser? Look no further! This Creamy Chicken Lasagna is a favorite in my house, and we’re home to some pickier eaters! And for that reason, this is a repeat at our house! This creamy chicken lasagna is easy to make, tastes great, and does not involve ricotta cheese or cottage cheese!

The ingredients for this chicken lasagna recipe are likely to be found in your fridge already! I don’t always have dinner ideas planned out, but one day, standing there looking at my pantry and fridge — I found I was able to throw this together! 

This chicken lasagna recipe is a delicious mix of your favorite marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, and of course, pasta! There is something special about these delicious layers melting together. They combine to create one of our absolute favorite dinners! 

Pair this delicious creamy chicken lasagna with Cheese Focaccia and you’ve got yourself a homemade Italian meal. 

 

 

How to Make Chicken Lasagna 

Lasagna is a fun way to layer delicious ingredients to make an appetizing meal. To make this chicken lasagna recipe, here’s what you’ll need to do: 

Step 1:  Chicken!  If you’re using a rotisserie chicken, then remove it from the bone and shred it.  However if you plan on using frozen chicken breasts or fresh chicken breasts, you’ll want to cook those up!  You’ll need to have your chicken cooked and shredded before you start the rest.

Step 2: Prep Work!  If you thought the chicken was the only prep work, you are wrong!  You’ll need to make your creamy filling that you’ll place between your layers!  This means combining your chicken with a few other tasty ingredients.

Step 3: Layer!  Time to layer your dish with sauce, noodles, chicken mixture, and cheese!

Step 4: Bake & Enjoy!  If you plan on making this for a freezer meal, DO NOT BAKE!  Instead cover with two layers of foil and freeze for up to 30 months.  Remember to write on the foil thawing and cooking instructions. If you plan on baking it now, then toss it in the oven and whip up this Winter Fruit Salad Recipe as a side while it bakes!

 

 

How many layers should Chicken Lasagna have? 

Personally, I think it is best to have at least three layers in your lasagna. You can have more layers if you choose, just be sure to keep the layers as even as possible! This will ensure the chicken lasagna bakes evenly. The top layer should be a noodle and sauce and cheese layer.  

 

 

Should you cook the lasagna sheets first?

Yes! But not all the way. You want to cook the noodles until they are “al dente” or just until they are cooked enough to be chewy with a crisp center. It is best to not cook them all the way because the noodles will continue to cook during the baking process. 

If you use ‘oven ready’ noodles, I still suggest cooking them for a minute or two to make them pliable.  I’ve found that even oven ready noodles sometimes don’t bake all the way. So cook them or a minute or two before adding to the pan.

 

 

What temperature should you bake the Chicken Lasagna? 

I bake this creamy chicken lasagna at 350°F for 50 minutes total. First, cover the whole lasagna with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes. 

Some suggest adding the top layer of cheese towards the end of the baking processes so that it does not overcook and can then crisp up nicely towards the end. However because we cover this chicken lasagna with foil, that helps the cheese melt beautifully without burning, so you can add your cheese in the beginning without having to remember an extra step.

Additionally, if the cheese does not look melted enough, you could turn on the broiler for a minute or two, or until the cheese is melted to your liking. 

 

 

How to Customize this Chicken Lasagna?

When it comes to making this lasagna, everyone loves a few tips on how to make it unique and just right for them.  So here is a list of ingredients you can use to customize this chicken lasagna.

  • Spinach!  Use fresh baby spinach or thawed, and drained frozen spinach.
  • Seasonings!  Oregano & Italian Seasoning add more of an Italian flavor if your sauce is on the mild side.  Or add in some garlic and onions. I suggest using sauteed onions or dehydrated onions as fresh onions won’t fully cook and may come out crunchy.  Or add garlic powder or minced garlic!  
  • Low Fat! Use low fat cream cheese!  Your taste buds won’t be able to tell it’s got a few less calories!
  • Spice!  Toss in some chilies, jalapenos or sriracha to your cream cheese mix!
  • Cheese!  Mozzarella is traditional and delicious but how about adding in a little Parmesan too!  

 

 

What is the difference between a casserole and Chicken Lasagna Recipe?

The main difference between lasagna and casserole, is layers! Lasagna has strategic layers of noodles, sauce, and your chosen filling. Casseroles combine all of the ingredients without layering it.  Mixed up, messy and oh so tasty!  

How long should Chicken Lasagna sit before cutting? 

After you remove the chicken lasagna from the oven, let it sit for at least 5 minutes before serving. This allows it to set and cool down enough to enjoy. If you serve it immediately the layers will slide all over your plate without giving you that beautiful classic lasagna slice you’re looking for.  

 

 

Can you freeze this Chicken Lasagna Recipe? 

Certainly! Freezing homemade lasagna is a great way to have a delicious meal ready for those nights when you don’t have the time (or maybe the energy) to do much more than turn on the oven and heat up dinner. Luckily, this chicken lasagna recipe is a great option for a premade dinner. 

Freezer Meal Prep:

If you are planning on making this meal as a freezer meal for a future date, assemble casserole as directed.  Once assembled, place two layers of tin foil over casserole and write the thawing and baking instructions on foil.  

When ready to enjoy, thaw in fridge for 24 hours and bake as directed in directions.

Leftover Freezer Prep:

If you have leftovers that you won’t be able to enjoy within a few days, then freezing is a great idea!  Allow casserole to cool completely before packing up. Once cool, place individual portions in a seal-able container or even freezer plastic bag.  Write on the outside the baking instructions.  

Allow lasagna to thaw completely then heat in the microwave for 2 – 4 minutes, depending on the size and temperature.

 

 

How long can you freeze Chicken Lasagna for? 

This chicken lasagna recipe will last in the freezer for 3 to 6 months. So long as the lasagna is properly stored in an airtight container, this lasagna can be kept in the freezer for a while! 

How long does this Chicken Lasagna last in the refrigerator? 

This recipe is best stored in the fridge for no more than three to four days. Remember to keep it covered, preferably in an airtight container. 

 

 

What side dishes go with Chicken Lasagna? 

You can keep the Italian-fare theme going with these other great recipes: 

 

 

Delicious Desserts you MUST try with this meal:

 

 

Chicken Lasagna is a simple way to make an Italian favorite. I love this creamy dish, and it makes me extra happy that everyone I make it for seems to enjoy it just as much as I do. You can find this delicious creamy chicken lasagna on the table when we are entertaining guests. 

Whether you’re looking to feed a crowd, or preparing a large amount of food to put away and keep yourself well fed throughout the week, this chicken lasagna recipe is a great option. 

 

Yield: 9 Servings

Chicken Lasagna

Chicken Lasagna Recipe - close up of lasagna on plate

This Chicken Lasagna recipe isn’t like any you’ve probably enjoyed before!  With only 6 ingredients, this main dish will become your new family favorite go-to recipe!  Perfect for dinner tonight or as a freezer meal!

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 Boneless Chicken Breasts or 1 whole rotisserie chicken
  • 9 uncooked ready to serve lasagna noodles.
  • 3 chicken bouillon cubes or 3 Teaspoons of chicken paste
  • 1 (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
  • 3 cups mozzarella, shredded
  • 1 28 ounce Jar of spaghetti sauce, your favorite kind

Instructions

  1. If using rotisserie chicken, shred and skip to step 5.
  2. Bring a pot of water and 2 chicken bouillons {or 2 teaspoons chicken paste} to a boil.
  3. Add chicken and cook for 20 minutes or until no longer pink.
  4. Once chicken is ready, remove chicken and shred {reserve 1/4 cup of the chicken water, save rest in the pot}
  5. Cut/break each noodle into 3/4 length. In the pot of chicken water,cook ALL PIECES of noodles for 5 minutes. Even though you are using ready to use noodles, they didn't quite cook up perfectly in this recipe, so give them a head start with a 5 minute boil.
  6. Once noodles are ready, drain and set aside.
  7. Preheat oven to 350*F
  8. In a large bowl mix shredded chicken, cream cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella and 1/4 cup of chicken water.
  9. Spread 1/2 cup of spaghetti sauce on the bottom of a square 8 inch casserole dish.
  10. Add noodles on top of sauce - use broken pieces together to form a row as needed.
  11. Layer chicken mixture on top of the noodles then layer 3/4 cup of spaghetti sauce on top of the chicken mixture.
  12. Lay down another row of noodles and repeat 2 more times.
  13. Place the final row of noodles down and top with sauce and cheese.
  14. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
  15. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes.
  16. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minute before serving.

Notes

If you wish to make it your own, you can always try one of these options.

  • Spinach!  Use fresh baby spinach or thawed, and drained frozen spinach.
  • Seasonings!  Oregano & Italian Seasoning add more of an Italian flavor if your sauce is on the mild side.  Or add in some garlic and onions. I suggest using sauteed onions or dehydrated onions as fresh onions won’t fully cook and may come out crunchy.  Or add garlic powder or minced garlic!  
  • Low Fat! Use low fat cream cheese!  Your taste buds won’t be able to tell it’s got a few less calories!
  • Spice!  Toss in some chilies, jalapenos or sriracha to your cream cheese mix!
  • Cheese!  Mozzarella is traditional and delicious but how about adding in a little Parmesan too!  

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

9

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 292Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 91mgSodium: 969mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 2gSugar: 6gProtein: 31g
Originally Posted: May 25, 2015

Photos & Text Updated: January 22, 2020

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Char

Sunday 10th of December 2023

This was DELICIOUS! I used chicken thigh fillets instead and boiled them in chicken stock then shredded like it said to. It was so moist! I didn't change anything else and I turned out perfect! So yummy! I had been looking for a good chicken lasagna recipe for so long and now I've found it! Definitely will make it this way everytime😊 the only thing I didn't see was when it said to cover it with foul first so my mozzarella burnt a bit but wasn't too bad and still edible :-)

Shadi Hasanzadenemati

Tuesday 21st of January 2020

Everyone at my house loved it! Tasted SO good!

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