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Lasagna can be extremely old-fashioned comfort food, but white chicken lasagna with a creamy, cheesy taste fills something fresh to the traditional recipe. This kind of recipe has some tender chicken, rich cream cheese, and white sauce to offer a wonderful flavour profile that’s just as hearty and satisfying.

Prepared as it may be for a family dinner or a special occasion, white chicken lasagna is sure to be the hit.

Ingredients for White Chicken Lasagna

Here’s what you’ll need to make a delicious white chicken lasagna with cream cheese:

For the Chicken Filling:

• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the White Sauce:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper

For Assembling:

• 9-12 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley

Instructions for Making White Chicken Lasagna

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside. Prepare the lasagna noodles according to the package instructions; then drain them, and put them on a pan lined with parchment paper.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken Filling

Mix all shredded chicken, cream cheese, ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a big mixing bowl. If the cream cheese isn’t soft, the mixture won’t be that healthy to begin with, so ensure the cream cheese is softened and stir it until perfectly well mixed and creamy.

Step 3: Prepare White Sauce

Melt butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the flour for your roux. Cooking until your flour is just lightly browned and fragrant-about 1-2 minutes. Constantly stir as you add the milk and chicken broth and continue cooking until it thickens. About 5-7 minutes.

Mix in Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir until cheese melts and the sauce smoothes out. Let it cool.

Step 4: Lasagna Layering

Spread a thin layer of white sauce at the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This will prevent noodles from sticking at the bottom.

Over the sauce, place 3-4 lasagna noodles. Good amount of the chicken and cream cheese filling should be spread over noodles. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the chicken filling.

White sauce, noodles, chicken filling, and mozzarella cheese repeat the layers. Continue layering until all the ingredients are used up. Make sure you end with noodles and a good portion of white sauce.

Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches

Spread the remaining Parmesan cheese and a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese to top off the lasagna. This will create the golden, cheesy crust when baked.

Step 6: Bake

Line a baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Pull off the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until top is frothy and golden. If desired, you can broil lasagna for a couple of minutes at the end to crisp up the top.

Step 7: Serve

Remove the lasagna from the oven and let it sit for about 10 minutes before cutting. That way, the layers will have set up a bit when you are ready to serve, and this is easier to handle than if they haven’t. Top it off with fresh chopped parsley for color and then serve it hot.

Variations and Tips

• Add Veggies: If you want to add some veggies, toss in some spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini into the chicken filling.
• Spice It Up: Throw in some red pepper flakes or jalapenos for some heat.
• Make Alfredo Version: For an easier version, you can use store-bought Alfredo sauce instead of making white sauce from scratch.
• Gluten-free version: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles. Instead of using white sauce, use gluten-free flour.

FAQs

• Can I prepare White Chicken Lasagna a day in advance?

Absolutely! You can prepare the lasagna up to 24 hours in advance. It’s best to assemble the layers and cover them tightly with foil, then keep it refrigerated until you are ready to bake it. It may need an additional 10-15 minutes of baking time if you are straight from the refrigerator.

• Can I freeze White Chicken Lasagna?

Absolutely! White chicken lasagna freezes well. You can prepare this lasagna, tightly wrap it with plastic and foil, and freeze it for up to 2 months. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator the night before baking, then bake as instructed.

Conclusion

White cream cheese chicken lasagna-this is a rich, creamy version of your classic lasagna. Chicken and white sauce within rich cheesy layers make it a great comfort food for any occasion you can create.

Whether you have one of those special family dinners coming up or prepare it beforehand for a busy week, this recipe will satisfy everyone at the table. Accompany with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete, filling meal.