Description
Indulgent Creamy White Cheese Chicken Lasagna marries Italian comfort with savory layers of tender chicken and rich cheese. Silky pasta sheets nestled between velvety sauce promise a delightful culinary journey you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (100 grams) shredded Parmesan cheese
Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups (960 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions until perfectly tender, then drain and set aside for layering.
- Create a flavorful white sauce by melting butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, then add minced garlic and cook until aromatic.
- Incorporate flour into the butter mixture, stirring continuously to develop a smooth roux that will thicken the sauce.
- Slowly pour in whole milk, whisking constantly to ensure a silky, lump-free sauce that will coat the lasagna layers.
- Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes until it reaches a creamy, thick consistency, then season with dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Spread a thin layer of white sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create a flavorful base.
- Arrange the first layer of lasagna noodles, slightly overlapping to cover the sauce completely.
- Distribute half of the cooked chicken evenly over the noodles, followed by half of the remaining white sauce.
- Generously sprinkle half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses to create a rich, melty layer.
- Repeat the layering process with remaining noodles, chicken, white sauce, and cheeses to build a luxurious lasagna.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly.
- Allow the lasagna to rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven to help it set and make slicing easier.
- Optionally garnish with fresh chopped parsley before cutting into squares and serving the creamy, cheesy dish.
Notes
- Swap out regular flour for gluten-free alternatives like almond or rice flour to make the dish celiac-friendly without compromising creamy texture.
- Enhance nutritional value by incorporating lean protein sources such as shredded turkey or plant-based chicken substitutes for varied dietary preferences.
- Control sodium levels by using low-sodium cheese and reducing added salt, making the lasagna heart-healthy and suitable for restricted diets.
- Experiment with dairy-free options by substituting whole milk with unsweetened almond or cashew milk and using vegan cheese alternatives for lactose-intolerant individuals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg