Oh, friends, are you ready for a dish that wraps you up like your favorite cozy blanket? When life gets frantic and you’re staring down that “what’s for dinner” question for the hundredth time, you need something hearty, cheesy, and completely satisfying. That is precisely why I landed on this Creamy White Chicken Lasagna, my absolute go-to chicken lasagna recipe. It has all the depth of flavor my grandmother’s recipes always had, but I’ve tweaked it so you can get it on the table fast enough for a Tuesday night. Trust me, as someone who juggles a demanding schedule, I promise this is one of the most reliable comfort food recipes you’ll ever bake.
- Why This Creamy White Chicken Lasagna Recipe Works for Your Family
- Gathering Ingredients for Your Best Chicken Lasagna Recipe
- Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Chicken Lasagna
- Tips for the Perfect White Chicken Lasagna
- Make Ahead Lasagna: Freezing and Storing Your Chicken Lasagna
- Serving Suggestions for Your Comfort Food Dinner Recipes
- Frequently Asked Questions About Making Chicken Lasagna
- Managing Your Kitchen Budget: Alternatives to Meal Delivery
- Share Your Hearty Chicken Dinner Experience
Why This Creamy White Chicken Lasagna Recipe Works for Your Family
I truly believe the best recipes are the ones that adapt to your real life, not the other way around. This flavor-packed chicken lasagna isn’t fussy; it’s designed to deliver massive comfort without keeping you trapped in the kitchen all day. I always use this recipe when I need an impressive but easy dinner. You can find more reliable, quick dinners over in my weeknight dinners category too!
- It comes together faster than you think, thanks to one brilliant shortcut.
- It ditches the red sauce for a rich, velvety Béchamel that feels incredibly indulgent.
- It’s a complete, cheesy pasta bake that pleases even the pickiest eaters at the table.
Quick Prep with Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut
Okay, listen up: using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is the secret weapon here. You skip all the poaching and shredding time, meaning the prep for this chicken lasagna drops by at least thirty minutes. I just pull the meat off while the sauce is simmering, and voilà—it’s ready for the oven way sooner than you’d expect for something this hearty!
The Comfort Factor of White Chicken Lasagna
While everyone loves a traditional red sauce bake, sometimes you just crave something richer. This recipe flips the script with a classic white sauce, making it the ultimate Creamy Chicken Lasagna. It hits that deep, cheesy, soul-soothing spot we all look for in Comfort Food Dinner Recipes. It just tastes like a celebration!
Gathering Ingredients for Your Best Chicken Lasagna Recipe
Getting ready to layer up this Chicken Lasagna Recipe is straightforward, and that’s why I love starting with real ingredients I already have on hand. Clarity here is key, so you know exactly what you’re grabbing. I listed everything out below, just as I have it written on my card, so you don’t miss a single delicious component. Cooking from scratch is always better than relying on those pre-made containers, though if you need a faster fix, sometimes I use a shortcut inspiration from my creamy pasta days.
Sauce and Filling Components for Chicken Lasagna
For that unbelievable creamy sauce base, you’ll grab your onion (finely chopped!), garlic, flour, chicken broth, heavy cream, and that tiny pinch of nutmeg—don’t skip the nutmeg, as it gives the white sauce such a wonderful background warmth! Then, for the filling component, get your ricotta cheese mixed up with the egg, fresh parsley, and Italian seasoning. You’ll need those three cups of shredded chicken ready to go by this point, too!
Pasta and Cheese for Layering
Now for the structure! You need 12 standard lasagna noodles, cooked up just right, not mushy! For the cheese trio, we rely on the main event: four cups of shredded mozzarella for that glorious melt factor, and half a cup of Parmesan mixed into the sauce to really boost that savory depth. This combination ensures your Creamy Chicken Lasagna is perfectly cheesy in every single bite.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Chicken Lasagna
This Chicken Lasagna Recipe isn’t scary, I promise! We’re not going to fuss over complicated steps. Since this is designed to be an Easy Chicken Lasagna, I focus on making the sauce perfect first—that’s where all the flavor lives. If you’ve ever made gravy or a thin soup into something thicker, you already know the trick here. For a look at another speedy favorite, check out my skillet lasagna for minimal cleanup!
Preparing the White Sauce Base for Creamy Chicken Lasagna
First things first: get that oven set to 375°F, and grease your 9×13 dish! In your saucepan, sizzle the onion in olive oil until it’s soft—about five minutes. Toss in the garlic for one extra minute (don’t let it burn, or it gets bitter!). Now, whisk in your flour quickly—that’s your roux that thickens everything up. Whisk in the broth slowly, then add the cream and Parmesan. Let that simmer gently, stirring often, for about five minutes until it coats the back of a spoon nicely. Remove it from the heat right there.
Assembling Your Layered Chicken Pasta Bake
This is the fun part, creating those layers! Start by painting the bottom of your baking dish with a thin swipe of that beautiful white sauce. Then carefully lay down four noodles. Spread half of your ricotta cheese mixture over those noodles, sprinkle half the shredded chicken on top, and then dust generously with one-third of the mozzarella. Spoon over more white sauce! You repeat that whole sequence—noodles, ricotta, chicken, cheese, sauce—one more time. Finally, top with your last layer of noodles, all the remaining white sauce, and the rest of that glorious mozzarella cheese.
Baking and Resting the Chicken Lasagna
It goes into the oven just like that for about 25 to 30 minutes. If you notice the top is getting too dark or crispy before the center is hot all the way through, just toss a piece of foil loosely over it—that steam keeps everything moist! But here is my absolute most important tip for any casserole: Let it rest! Seriously, pull that Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake out and let it sit on the counter for a full 10 minutes before slicing. This lets those layers settle, so when you cut it, it actually stays stacked instead of turning into soup!
Tips for the Perfect White Chicken Lasagna
Even though this is an Easy Chicken Lasagna, I want yours to be perfect every time. I’ve learned exactly where you can save time and where you absolutely cannot skim on quality. Remember, this whole dish is built around that creamy texture, so we protect that! You can always find more ideas for those comforting oven meals, like this creamy chicken casserole, right here on the blog.
Shortcut vs. Homemade Sauce in Your Chicken Lasagna
If you are having an emergency dinner situation, using a really good store-bought Alfredo sauce saves major time! That’s totally okay when you need a *truly* Easy Chicken Lasagna. However, if you have 15 extra minutes, making the sauce from scratch, like we did, gives you control over the salt and spices, which I always prefer!
Incorporating Add-ins for Flavor Variations
Don’t be afraid to throw things into that ricotta mixture! I often stir in a cup of sautéed mushrooms or some thawed, squeezed-dry spinach. It adds a little extra nutrition to this hearty chicken dinner, and the flavor stays tucked away so nicely beneath all that cheese since the ricotta is so creamy.
Make Ahead Lasagna: Freezing and Storing Your Chicken Lasagna
One of my favorite things about this chicken lasagna is that it is practically begging to be made ahead of time! Seriously, preparing this creamy baked dish when you have a little free time means future you gets an amazing, homemade, comfort food dinner with zero effort later in the week. You can find my best tips for freezing casseroles, including this one, over in my guide to make ahead lasagna recipes.
If you want to freeze the whole uncovered baking dish, cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then foil, and pop it in the freezer. When you finally bake it from frozen, just add about 15 minutes onto that 30-minute baking time. As for leftovers? They freeze great too! Just let the baked lasagna cool completely, slice it into portions, and wrap them individually. Reheating in the microwave works wonders for individual slices!
Serving Suggestions for Your Comfort Food Dinner Recipes
When you’re pulling this unbelievably rich and cheesy chicken lasagna out of the oven, you need something bright on the side to balance all that creamy decadence. I rarely serve this Indulgent Family Meal without something fresh! My absolute favorite pairing is a big, crisp salad. A simple vinaigrette cuts right through that mozzarella cheese perfectly.
If you’ve got more room on the table, some simple roasted asparagus or lightly steamed green beans tossed with lemon zest are fantastic additions to round out this Family Favorite Casserole. And of course, you can’t go wrong with a side of homemade garlic bread, though be warned—it’s easy to fill up on that alone! If you want ideas for a perfect green side, check out my Caesar salad dressing—it’s simple and tangy!
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Chicken Lasagna
I know you might still have a few questions swirling around after deciding to tackle this Chicken Lasagna Recipe. It’s smart to ask! Getting the texture right on a creamy bake like this is important. If you love the idea of lasagna but want something soupier next time, you should totally check out my Lasagna Soup!
Can I use different pasta shapes in this chicken lasagna?
This recipe is written for the traditional flat noodles because they create those perfect, stacking layers, which is exactly what you need for a classic Layered Chicken Pasta experience. While no-boil noodles *might* work in a pinch, you’d need to add extra liquid because they soak up so much during baking! As for making Lasagna Rolls Chicken, that requires a different assembly and might need a slightly looser sauce consistency than what we have here.
What is the best way to prevent my white chicken lasagna from being watery?
This is where my experience comes in handy! The two main culprits are wet noodles and wet ricotta. Make sure you cook your standard lasagna noodles just to al dente—a little bit firm is perfect, as they cook more in the oven. Also, always drain that ricotta mixture really well. You want it creamy but definitely not runny. That helps keep your final White Chicken Lasagna perfectly firm.
Is this recipe similar to an Alfredo Chicken Lasagna?
Yes, absolutely! If you see searches for Alfredo Chicken Lasagna, this is basically it. Our homemade white sauce uses cream, broth, and Parmesan, giving it that rich, velvety mouthfeel identical to Alfredo. It’s that creamy base that makes this dish so irresistible!
Managing Your Kitchen Budget: Alternatives to Meal Delivery
I get it; sometimes life feels like you need someone else to handle the cooking entirely. But honestly, relying on meal delivery companies gets expensive fast! Making this chicken lasagna at home, even with the good cheese, costs a fraction of what those services charge. You get so much more satisfaction, too. Plus, using ingredients you already have is way better than subscribing to a restrictive keto meal plan delivery when you’re craving comfort food.
When you make this yourself, you control everything, and it’s a fantastic way to feed the whole family heartily without breaking the bank. For another budget-friendly, low-effort meal, try out my crockpot cowboy soup next week!
Share Your Hearty Chicken Dinner Experience
Now that you have the blueprint for what I think is the Best Chicken Lasagna Recipe out there, I really want to hear from you! Cooking is always better when we share what works (and maybe even what didn’t quite work the first time!). Did you try spiking your white sauce with a little extra garlic? Or maybe you went completely off-script and tried those Lasagna Rolls Chicken shapes instead of layering? Don’t be shy!
Drop a comment below, tell me what you thought, and be sure to give this recipe a quick rating at the top—that really helps other busy home cooks feel confident about jumping into making this Hearty Chicken Dinner. I love seeing how you bring these family-inspired meals to life in your own kitchens! Happy baking, and come back soon to see what other simple comforts I’ve cooked up on my blog!
PrintEasy Creamy White Chicken Lasagna
Make this comforting, cheesy white chicken lasagna using shredded chicken for a simple, family-approved dinner that tastes like it cooked all day.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 55 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 12 lasagna noodles, cooked according to package directions
- 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Make the white sauce: Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Remove from heat. This is your creamy sauce base.
- In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, egg, parsley, and Italian seasoning. Mix well.
- Cook the lasagna noodles until al dente. Drain them well.
- Assemble the lasagna: Spread a thin layer of the white sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Arrange four cooked lasagna noodles over the sauce, slightly overlapping if needed.
- Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles. Top with half of the shredded chicken. Sprinkle with one-third of the mozzarella cheese.
- Spoon one-third of the remaining white sauce over the cheese layer.
- Repeat the layers: noodles, remaining ricotta mixture, remaining chicken, one-third of the mozzarella, and another layer of white sauce.
- Top with the final layer of noodles, the remaining white sauce, and the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are lightly browned. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover it with foil.
- Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. This recipe is a great alternative to meal planning services if you prefer home cooking.
Notes
- For an even easier weeknight dinner, use a high-quality store-bought Alfredo sauce instead of making the sauce from scratch.
- If you want to add vegetables, stir in one cup of frozen, thawed spinach or sautéed mushrooms into the ricotta mixture.
- This dish freezes well. Assemble the entire lasagna, cover tightly with foil, and freeze before baking. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed, adding about 15 minutes to the bake time. This is a great make ahead lasagna option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 30
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 120



