Creamy Chicken Lasagna with White Sauce: A Rich and Comforting Delight
There’s nothing more inviting than a bubbling, golden-brown creamy chicken lasagna with white sauce fresh from the oven. This dish combines tender chicken, layers of pasta, and a velvety white sauce to create a cozy, satisfying meal. Whether you’re prepping a weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this rich and flavorful lasagna is sure to impress.
Unlike traditional lasagna with tomato-based sauce, this version lets the cream sauce shine, perfectly complementing the shredded chicken and gooey layers of cheese. It’s comfort food at its finest, balancing savory, cheesy goodness with delicate hints of garlic and nutmeg. Let’s dive into this easy chicken lasagna recipe with white sauce and create a meal everyone will love.
Quick Recipe Highlights
- Flavor Profile: Creamy, cheesy, and mildly garlicky with a rich umami depth.
- Texture: Soft layers of pasta accompanied by tender chicken and smooth white sauce.
- Aroma: A wonderful blend of melted cheese, garlic, and gently toasted pasta.
- Visual Appeal: Golden-brown cheesy crust layered over creamy white sauce.
- Skill Level Needed: Intermediate – requires assembling multiple elements.
- Special Equipment: Baking dish, saucepan, whisk, and cheese grater.
Recipe Overview
- Difficulty Level: This recipe requires a few cooking techniques such as making a roux-based white sauce and layering lasagna, making it ideal for home cooks with some experience.
- Category: Dinner, casseroles, oven-baked meals.
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired with creamy, rich elements.
- Cost: Moderate – made with easy-to-find, budget-friendly ingredients.
- Season: Perfect for colder months when warm, hearty dishes are most comforting.
- Occasion: Great for family meals, potlucks, and special gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This creamy chicken lasagna with white sauce is all about indulgence with layers of pasta, tender chicken, and a velvety béchamel-style sauce that makes every bite comfortingly rich.
It’s an excellent make-ahead meal, allowing you to assemble it in advance for effortless entertaining or weeknight dining. Just bake it fresh when you’re ready!
Packed with protein and customizable, you can add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition without altering the core flavors.
Hosting guests? This dish is always a crowd-pleaser. The cheesy top layer, combined with the luscious white sauce, creates a restaurant-quality meal with homemade charm.
If you enjoy meals that feel comforting but elegant, this lasagna offers the best of both worlds. The thick, creamy layers hold their shape beautifully when cut, making it as impressive to serve as it is delicious.
The Recipe
Creamy Chicken Lasagna with White Sauce
Serves: 6
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 65 mins
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Large saucepan
- Whisk
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- Cheese grater
- Mixing bowls
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 9 lasagna noodles (uncooked)
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 3 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook lasagna noodles according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste.
- Slowly pour in milk and heavy cream, continuously whisking to create a smooth sauce.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg, and allow the sauce to thicken for 3-5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella and all the Parmesan cheese.
- Spread a thin layer of sauce in the prepared baking dish.
- Layer lasagna noodles, followed by ricotta cheese, shredded chicken, white sauce, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Let the lasagna rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- You can substitute rotisserie chicken for added convenience.
- Spinach or mushrooms can be added for an extra layer of flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free lasagna noodles and substitute flour with cornstarch.
