This White Chicken Lasagna is a delicious twist on a classic Italian-American dish! Tender lasagna noodles are layered with a creamy spinach white sauce, a savory chicken and ricotta cheese filling, and a generous amount of melted mozzarella cheese. It’s a comforting and flavorful casserole that’s perfect for a family dinner, a special occasion, or any time you crave a cheesy and satisfying meal.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Creamy and cheesy: The combination of a creamy white sauce, ricotta cheese filling, and melted mozzarella cheese creates a rich and decadent flavor that’s simply irresistible.
Flavorful: The addition of fresh spinach, garlic, and herbs adds a depth of flavor to the dish.
Easy to make: While it takes a bit of time, the steps are straightforward, and the result is well worth the effort.
Versatile: You can easily customize the recipe with different vegetables or cheeses to your liking.

Ingredients for White Chicken Lasagna

This recipe uses fresh, high-quality ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying lasagna. Here’s what you’ll need:

Lasagna Noodles: Regular curly edge noodles are recommended for this recipe.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Used for cooking the pasta and the sauce.
Salt: For the pasta water and the sauces.
Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the white sauce.
Garlic: Adds a pungent flavor to the white sauce.
All-Purpose Flour: Used to thicken the white sauce.
Whole Milk (or Half and Half): Creates a creamy base for the white sauce.
Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor to the white sauce.
Dried Basil, Oregano, Thyme: Herbs that add a fragrant and earthy note to the white sauce and the chicken ricotta mixture.
Fresh Baby Spinach: Adds a healthy dose of greens and a pop of color.
Ricotta Cheese: The base of the creamy chicken and ricotta filling.
Sour Cream: Adds a tangy flavor and extra creaminess to the filling.
Egg: Helps bind the filling and adds richness.
Black Pepper: Adds a touch of spice to the filling.
Cooked Shredded Chicken Breast: Use rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, or cook your own chicken breasts.
Mozzarella Cheese: Provides a gooey, cheesy layer between the pasta and on top.
Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor to the filling.
Fresh Italian Parsley or Basil (optional): Adds a fresh, herbaceous garnish.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

How to Make White Chicken Lasagna

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add olive oil and lasagna noodles. Cook according to package directions until al dente. Rinse the cooked noodles with cool water, drain well, and transfer them to a large sheet of foil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Make the Spinach White Sauce

In a large skillet, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk until well combined. Slowly add the milk and chicken broth, whisking constantly until smooth. Season with basil, oregano, thyme, and salt. Bring the sauce to a low simmer and cook until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the spinach until wilted.

Step 3: Make the Chicken Ricotta Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, sour cream, egg, cooked chicken, basil, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth. Fold in ½ cup of the mozzarella cheese and all of the Parmesan cheese.

Step 4: Assemble the Lasagna

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread ½ cup of the spinach white sauce in the bottom of a 13×9 inch baking dish. Layer 3 lasagna noodles over the sauce, followed by half of the chicken ricotta mixture. Repeat the layers with 3 more noodles, ⅓ of the spinach white sauce, 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, and the remaining chicken ricotta mixture. Add another 3 noodles, ⅓ of the spinach white sauce, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Finish with the remaining 3 noodles, the remaining spinach white sauce, and the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Step 5: Bake the Lasagna

Coat the underside of a large sheet of foil with nonstick cooking spray and cover the lasagna, crimping the edges. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Broil for 2-3 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Let the lasagna rest for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Noodles: Use regular lasagna noodles, not no-boil noodles, for this recipe.
Spinach: You can use other leafy greens, such as kale or arugula, instead of spinach.
Cheese: You can use different types of cheese for the filling and topping, such as ricotta, cottage cheese, or a blend of Italian cheeses.
Make ahead: You can assemble the lasagna ahead of time and bake it later. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

How to Serve White Chicken Lasagna

Main course: This lasagna is perfect for a hearty and satisfying family dinner.
Special occasion: It’s also a great dish to bring to a potluck or gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover lasagna in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire lasagna in the oven until heated through.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?
Lasagna sheets are traditionally used for this recipe, but you can experiment with other large pasta shapes, such as manicotti or conchiglie.

Can I freeze this lasagna?
Yes, you can freeze the assembled lasagna before or after baking. Follow the instructions in the “Notes” section of the recipe for freezing and thawing instructions.

My lasagna is watery, what did I do wrong?
If your lasagna is watery, it could be that you didn’t drain the pasta well enough or that the spinach released some moisture during baking. You can try draining the pasta more thoroughly or squeezing out excess moisture from the spinach before adding it to the sauce.

Can I make this lasagna vegetarian?
Yes, you can! Simply omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add more vegetables, such as mushrooms or zucchini, for extra heartiness.

There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for White Chicken Lasagna. I hope you enjoy it!

White Chicken Lasagna Recipe