Craving a comforting, cheesy lasagna but dreading the watery mess that sometimes results? This Creamy Chicken Spinach Lasagna recipe is your answer! We’ve cracked the code to a perfectly creamy, never-watery sauce that binds all the delicious layers together. Get ready for a lasagna experience that’s both satisfying and surprisingly simple.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Lasagna
This isn’t your average lasagna recipe. Here’s why it’s about to become a family favorite:
- The Sauce Secret: Our simple trick guarantees a creamy, non-watery sauce that perfectly complements the other ingredients.
- Chicken and Spinach Powerhouse: Packed with protein and nutrients, this lasagna is a wholesome and satisfying meal.
- Easy to Customize: Feel free to tweak the ingredients to your liking – more cheese, different veggies, it’s all good!
- Comfort Food Bliss: Nothing beats a warm, cheesy slice of lasagna on a chilly evening.
Gathering Your Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Spinach Lasagna
Before you dive into layering, let’s talk about the key players in this lasagna symphony. We’re aiming for a rich, creamy, and flavorful experience, so selecting the right ingredients is crucial. This lasagna features tender chicken and fresh spinach in a creamy alfredo sauce.
- Chicken: You’ll need 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded. Leftover rotisserie chicken works wonders here, saving you time and adding extra flavor.
- Spinach: A 10-ounce package of frozen spinach, thawed and thoroughly squeezed dry, is essential. Getting rid of excess moisture is a key step in preventing a watery lasagna.
- Lasagna Noodles: Fifteen lasagna noodles will form the foundation of our masterpiece. You can use regular or oven-ready noodles. If using regular noodles, you may want to parboil them for a few minutes to soften them slightly.
- Ricotta Cheese: Four cups of ricotta cheese create a creamy, luscious layer. Opt for whole milk ricotta for the best flavor and texture.
- Parmesan Cheese: One cup of grated Parmesan cheese adds a salty, nutty depth. Freshly grated is always preferable for its superior flavor.
- Eggs: Two large eggs act as a binder, helping the ricotta mixture hold its shape.
- Garlic Powder, Salt, and Pepper: These simple seasonings enhance all the other flavors. One teaspoon of garlic powder, half a teaspoon of salt, and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper are all you need.
- Alfredo Sauce: Six cups of your favorite Alfredo sauce create the creamy base. You can use store-bought for convenience or make your own from scratch if you’re feeling ambitious.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Three cups of shredded mozzarella cheese provide that gooey, cheesy topping we all crave. Low-moisture, part-skim mozzarella melts beautifully.
- Fresh Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness as a garnish.
Crafting Your Creamy Chicken Spinach Lasagna: Step-by-Step
Ready to assemble your lasagna? Don’t be intimidated – it’s easier than you think! The most important thing is to layer carefully and ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed. Follow these steps, and you’ll be enjoying a delicious, non-watery lasagna in no time. Let’s get started!
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). This ensures that the lasagna cooks evenly and the cheese melts beautifully.
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until everything is evenly incorporated. Whisking the eggs slightly before adding them helps ensure a smooth mixture.
- Incorporate Chicken and Spinach: Stir the cooked shredded chicken and the squeezed-dry spinach into the ricotta cheese mixture. Make sure the chicken and spinach are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. This step adds both flavor and texture to the lasagna.
- Layer the Base: Spread a thin layer of Alfredo sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. This prevents the noodles from sticking and adds moisture to the bottom layer.
- Noodle Layer: Place a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce, overlapping as needed to cover the entire bottom of the dish. If using regular noodles, make sure they are slightly softened to prevent them from being too hard after baking.
- First Ricotta Layer: Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture evenly over the noodles. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty!
- Alfredo Drizzle: Pour 2 cups of Alfredo sauce over the cheese mixture. This ensures that each layer is moist and flavorful.
- Mozzarella Sprinkle: Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce. This adds a cheesy, gooey layer to the lasagna.
- Repeat Layers: Repeat the layering process: noodles, remaining ricotta cheese mixture, 2 cups Alfredo sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese. This creates a hearty, multi-layered lasagna.
- Final Layer: Top with a final layer of noodles, the remaining Alfredo sauce, and the remaining mozzarella cheese. This ensures a cheesy, bubbly top.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This helps to trap moisture and prevent the top from burning. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and Brown: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is lightly browned. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the lasagna stand for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving. This allows the layers to set and makes it easier to slice.
- Garnish and Enjoy: Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Creamy Chicken Lasagna Every Time
Want to take your lasagna game to the next level? Here are a few pro tips to ensure a perfectly creamy, delicious result every time.
- Squeeze the Spinach: Don’t skip the step of squeezing the thawed spinach dry! This is crucial for preventing a watery lasagna. Use your hands or a clean kitchen towel to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Don’t Overcook the Noodles: If using regular lasagna noodles, avoid overcooking them during parboiling. They should be slightly softened but still firm enough to hold their shape. Overcooked noodles will become mushy in the lasagna.
- Use Quality Ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the lasagna. Opt for high-quality ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, and Alfredo sauce for the best flavor.
- Let it Rest: Resist the urge to cut into the lasagna immediately after baking. Letting it rest for 10-15 minutes allows the layers to set and prevents it from being a soupy mess.
- Spice it Up: For a little extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the ricotta cheese mixture.
What to Serve With Creamy Chicken Lasagna
This creamy chicken lasagna is a meal in itself, but it’s even better when paired with a simple side dish. A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette is a classic choice, providing a refreshing contrast to the richness of the lasagna. You could also serve it with some crusty bread for soaking up all that delicious sauce. For a more complete meal, consider adding a side of roasted vegetables.
If you are looking for another type of side dish, why not try out our golden vegetable rice pilaf?
Your Creamy Chicken Lasagna Questions Answered (FAQ)
Can I make this lasagna ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if necessary.
Can I freeze this lasagna?
Yes, this lasagna freezes well. Assemble the lasagna in a freezer-safe dish. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and then with aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. Remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed, adding an extra 15-20 minutes to the baking time if necessary.
Can I use different vegetables in this lasagna?
Definitely! Feel free to substitute or add other vegetables to your liking. Sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers would all be delicious additions. Just be sure to cook them before adding them to the lasagna to prevent them from making it watery.
Can I make this lasagna without chicken?
Of course! If you’re vegetarian or simply prefer a meatless option, you can easily omit the chicken. You could also substitute it with cooked ground turkey or sausage if desired.
Why is my lasagna watery?
The most common reasons for watery lasagna are using too much sauce, not squeezing the spinach dry enough, or using overcooked noodles. Follow the recipe carefully and make sure to drain the spinach thoroughly. As for sauce, Alfredo sauce can be on the thinner side so adjust by adding less if need be.
Enjoy Your Homemade Creamy Chicken Lasagna!
There you have it – a foolproof recipe for Creamy Chicken Spinach Lasagna that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. With its layers of cheesy goodness, tender chicken, and vibrant spinach, this lasagna is the ultimate comfort food. Now it’s your turn to give it a try! Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. Happy cooking!
You may also like this recipe for cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole easy comfort food.
Creamy Chicken Spinach Lasagna (Never Watery Sauce)
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
- 1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
- 15 lasagna noodles
- 4 cups ricotta cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 cups Alfredo sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- In a large bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Stir in the cooked shredded chicken and the squeezed-dry spinach.
- Spread a thin layer of Alfredo sauce in the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Place a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce, overlapping as needed.
- Spread half of the ricotta cheese mixture over the noodles.
- Pour 2 cups of Alfredo sauce over the cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Repeat layers: noodles, remaining ricotta cheese mixture, 2 cups Alfredo sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
- Top with a final layer of noodles, remaining Alfredo sauce, and remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is lightly browned.
- Let stand for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving.
- Garnish with fresh parsley.