Chicken Lasagna Recipe

Prep Time:

20 mins

Cook Time:

45 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 15 mins

Servings:

8 to 10

There's a lot to love about chicken lasagna for dinner. Whether you're fixing and freezing ahead to make your future meals a cinch, or prepping for tonight's feast with the whole family, there's nothing like a chicken lasagna to make everyone at the table happy. Layers of sauce, spinach, cheese, and chicken all in one dish? Now that's a surefire way to ensure even the pickiest eaters at your dinner table join the clean plate club tonight.

The best part about this lasagna (besides cutting yourself a slice or two, of course), is that this pasta dish requires very little hands-on time. All you have to do is mix up a delicious spinach mixture and get to layering in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Your oven does all of the heavy lifting from there.

You can even layer all of your ingredients in advance, cover, and chill overnight so that the only thing left on a hectic weeknight is popping that ready-to-bake chicken lasagna in the oven. Now that's something we could do on the busiest school of nights—even after soccer practice.

Learn how to make chicken lasagna, and you'll be ready to roll out this fantastic dinner very soon.

Ingredients for Heavenly Chicken Lasagna

Cream of chicken soup, Alfredo sauce, mushrooms, pimientos, basil, ricotta, and Cheddar cheese combine for a lasagna that packs tons of flavor into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish. To make chicken lasagna, you'll need:

Butter or margarine: Used to sauté the onion and add richness to the dish.
Onion: Provides an aromatic base for the lasagna.
Reduced-fat cream of chicken soup: Adds creaminess and flavor.
Refrigerated Alfredo sauce: Another creamy component of the sauce, providing a rich base for the lasagna.
Diced pimiento: Adds a pop of color and sweet flavor.
Sliced mushrooms: For an earthy flavor and depth.
Dry white wine: Acidity brightens the sauce.
Dried basil: Adds an herbaceous flavor to complement the other flavors of the lasagna.
Frozen chopped spinach: Adds nutrients and color.
Cottage cheese: Adds creaminess and moisture to the filling.
Ricotta cheese: Another creamy component of the filling, providing a rich and smooth texture.
Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor.
Large egg: Binds the filling, providing structure and stability.
Lasagna noodles: Forms the layers of the lasagna. Swap with oven-ready noodles for a short-cut option.
Chopped cooked chicken: Adds protein to the lasagna, turning it into a hearty entrée.
Shredded sharp Cheddar cheese: Adds a sharp, cheesy flavor to the lasagna and forms a golden brown crust on the top when baked.

How To Make Heavenly Chicken Lasagna

Whether you put in the 20 minutes of active time needed to make this dish on the day of serving, or the day before, it can be baked and ready to serve when you are. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Cook onion and lasagna sauce: Melt butter in a skillet. Add onion, and sauté until tender. Stir in soup and next 5 ingredients. Reserve 1 cup sauce.
Step 2. Drain spinach: Drain spinach well.
Step 3. Make spinach mixture: Stir together spinach, cottage cheese, and next 3 ingredients.
Step 4. Assemble lasagna: Layer lasagna noodles, and half of each sauce, spinach mixture, and chicken in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with 1 cup Cheddar cheese. Repeat and top with remaining noodles and sauce. Cover and chill up to 1 day ahead.
Step 5. Bake lasagna: Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar cheese, and bake until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Heavenly Chicken Lasagna Variations

To switch up the flavors of this chicken lasagna, consider these variations:

Veggies: Add bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, or sun-dried tomatoes for additional flavor and color.
Herbs: Amp up the herbs with parsley, oregano, or thyme.
Flavorings: Add Italian seasoning, garlic or onion powder, roasted garlic, or a splash of balsamic vinegar for additional flavor.
Protein: Swap the chicken with turkey, browned ground beef, or Italian sausage.
Cheeses: Swap the Cheddar with mozzarella, Monterey Jack, provolone, or preferred cheese.
Homemade sauce: Add another layer of flavor with our homemade Alfredo sauce recipe.

Can I Make Chicken Lasagna Ahead?

Prepare the lasagna ahead in a few different ways:

Assemble ahead: A convenient option for busy weeknights, assembling the lasagna in advance gives the flavors time to meld. Assemble as directed, then wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to two days before baking as directed.
Freeze ahead: Assemble, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then let stand at room temperature while the oven preheats, and bake as directed.
Freeze baked lasagna: You can freeze the baked lasagna for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, bring to room temperature, and reheat, covered with foil, in a preheated 350°F oven until hot throughout.

How To Store and Reheat Leftover Chicken Lasagna

Wrap and refrigerate leftover lasagna for up to four days, or freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen before reheating.

Reheat the lasagna, covered with foil, in a preheated 350°F oven until hot throughout. You can also reheat small portions in the microwave or on the stovetop.

What To Serve with Heavenly Chicken Lasagna

This heavenly chicken lasagna makes a hearty one-dish meal. Serve with a side of your favorite steamed or roasted vegetables, a light salad, or garlic bread for a classic pairing.

Why This Recipe Gets Rave Reviews

This cheesy, weeknight lasagna recipe gets rave reviews, for good reason.

One Southern Living community member commented, "I've been making this since it was first published in SL YEARS ago. It is delicious!"

Another said, "What [an] easy recipe, with great ingredients that will get your supper ready quickly. Everything to love about this! One hour in the oven and done."

With simple ingredients, a quick prep time, and the ability to make this dish ahead, we couldn't agree more.

More Hearty Lasagna Recipes You'll Love

From rolls ups to zucchini lasagna, these twists on this family-favorite dish deserve a spot in your weekly rotation:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. butter or margarine
1/2 large onion (about 1 cup)
1 (10 1/2-oz.) can reduced-fat cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 (10-oz.) container refrigerated Alfredo sauce
1 (7-oz.) jar diced pimiento, undrained
1 (6-oz.) jar sliced mushrooms, drained
1/3 cup dry white wine
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1 (10-oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg, lightly beaten
9 lasagna noodles, cooked
2 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
3 cups (12 oz.) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

Directions

Cook onion and lasagna sauce:

Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in soup and next 5 ingredients. Reserve 1 cup sauce.
Drain spinach:

Drain spinach well, pressing between layers of paper towels.
Make spinach mixture:

Stir together spinach, cottage cheese, and next 3 ingredients.
Assemble lasagna:

Place 3 lasagna noodles in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Layer with half each of sauce, spinach mixture, and chicken. Sprinkle with 1 cup Cheddar cheese. Repeat procedure. Top with remaining 3 noodles and reserved 1 cup sauce. Cover and chill up to 1 day ahead.
Bake lasagna:

Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese, and bake 5 more minutes or until cheese is melted. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use rotisserie chicken for chicken lasagna?

Any cooked chicken will work well for this lasagna, whether diced cooked chicken breasts or shredded rotisserie chicken.
Can I make chicken lasagna with red sauce instead of white sauce?

For more of a tomato-based chicken lasagna recipe, swap the beef and sausage in Our Best Lasagna Recipe for rotisserie or chopped cooked chicken.
Can I freeze chicken lasagna?

This lasagna can be frozen, whether baked or unbaked, for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking as directed, or reheat, covered, in a preheated 350°F oven until hot throughout.