This Creamy Chicken and Spinach Lasagna offers a delightful twist on the classic lasagna recipe. With layers of creamy sauce, tender chicken, ricotta, and provolone cheese, this dish is rich, comforting, and perfect for family dinners or gatherings. The addition of spinach adds a nutritious element, while the white sauce keeps it wonderfully creamy. This is an easy-to-make recipe that promises to become a household favorite!
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
For the Lasagna:
- 1 box of lasagna noodles (prepared according to the instructions on the package)
- 32 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 18 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven: Start by heating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside for later use.
- Prepare the White Sauce:
- In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes until it turns a light golden color.
- Slowly incorporate the milk and chicken broth, whisking constantly to ensure a smooth mixture without any lumps.
- Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and stir in the parmesan cheese and dried parsley.
- Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens, then set aside.
- Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:
- In a large bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, grated parmesan, eggs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Stir in the thawed and drained spinach.
- Assemble the Lasagna:
- Pour a light coating of the white sauce onto the bottom of the greased baking dish, ensuring an even layer.
- Add a layer of lasagna noodles, then spread a layer of the ricotta-spinach mixture over the noodles.
- Sprinkle a layer of shredded chicken, then place 6 slices of provolone cheese over the chicken.
- Pour a thin layer of the white sauce over the cheese.
- Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a final layer of noodles, sauce, and provolone on top.
- Bake:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, and enjoy!
Conclusion
This Creamy Chicken and Spinach Lasagna is an inviting take on the beloved Italian dish, offering a rich, cheesy flavor with a hint of garlic and herbs. Ideal for a cozy dinner, it’s a meal everyone will want seconds of! Serve it with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete, delicious feast.
Creamy Chicken and Spinach Lasagna with Provolone
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
For the Lasagna:
- 1 box of lasagna noodles prepared according to the instructions on the package
- 32 ounces ricotta cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 ounces frozen spinach thawed and drained
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 18 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven: Start by heating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside for later use.
Prepare the White Sauce:
- In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Once melted, whisk in the flour and cook for about 1-2 minutes until it turns a light golden color.
- Slowly incorporate the milk and chicken broth, whisking constantly to ensure a smooth mixture without any lumps.
- Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and stir in the parmesan cheese and dried parsley.
- Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens, then set aside.
Prepare the Ricotta Mixture:
- In a large bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, grated parmesan, eggs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Stir in the thawed and drained spinach.
Assemble the Lasagna:
- Pour a light coating of the white sauce onto the bottom of the greased baking dish, ensuring an even layer.
- Add a layer of lasagna noodles, then spread a layer of the ricotta-spinach mixture over the noodles.
- Sprinkle a layer of shredded chicken, then place 6 slices of provolone cheese over the chicken.
- Pour a thin layer of the white sauce over the cheese.
- Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a final layer of noodles, sauce, and provolone on top.
Bake:
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese on top is golden and bubbly.
Serve:
- Allow the lasagna to rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, and enjoy!