Embarking on Culinary Excellence: The Fabulous White Chicken Lasagna Experience
In the realm of gastronomy, certain recipes transcend the ordinary and elevate the dining experience to a whole new level. Today, we’re thrilled to share with you a culinary masterpiece – the Fabulous White Chicken Lasagna. As we embark on this gastronomic journey, we’ll not only guide you through the step-by-step process of creating this delectable dish but also unravel the secrets that make it an absolute standout in the world of comfort food.
Why White Chicken Lasagna?
White Chicken Lasagna is a delightful departure from the traditional red sauce lasagna, offering a rich and creamy alternative that’s both comforting and indulgent. Picture layers of tender chicken, silky white sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, all harmonizing in a symphony of flavors. This recipe is not just a meal; it’s an experience, and we’re about to dive into the details that make it truly fabulous.
Ingredients:
Let’s start with the stars of the show – the ingredients:
- Lasagna Noodles: Opt for quality noodles that cook up al dente, providing the perfect texture for your dish.
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for a lean and protein-packed base.
- White Sauce: The heart of the dish, a luscious combination of butter, flour, milk, and Parmesan cheese.
- Spinach: Add a touch of freshness and vibrant color with nutrient-rich spinach.
- Cheeses: A blend of mozzarella and ricotta cheeses creates a gooey, melty layer that defines the decadence of white lasagna.
- Herbs and Spices: Elevate the flavor profile with garlic, thyme, nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
The Recipe:
Now, let’s unravel the steps to crafting this culinary gem:
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked. Season with a medley of herbs and spices to infuse flavor.
- White Sauce Mastery: Create a velvety white sauce by melting butter, whisking in flour, and gradually adding milk. Incorporate Parmesan cheese for an extra layer of richness.
- Layering Perfection: Assemble the lasagna by layering noodles, chicken, spinach, and a generous spread of white sauce. Repeat until your dish is a tower of deliciousness.
- Cheese Fusion: Introduce a blend of mozzarella and ricotta cheeses between the layers, ensuring every bite is a melty, cheesy delight.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Pop your creation into the oven, and let it bake until the cheese is golden and bubbling, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.
For detailed instructions please see below:
White Chicken Lasagna
Ingredients
- 12 oz cooked shredded chicken (from about 1 lb raw)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ medium sized onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1.5 cups skim milk
- 9 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups low-fat mozzarella cheese divided
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- 4 cups baby spinach
- Palmful of fresh basil torn
- 1 cup mushrooms chopped
- 1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
- Salt + pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1 Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Step 2 Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions
- Step 3 Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, cook until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes
- Step 4 Sprinkle flour over cooking veggies and stir to combine
- Step 5 Pour in chicken broth and milk. Bring liquid to a boil over medium heat then reduce to low and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring periodically so that the bottom and sides don’t burn
- Step 6 Add parmesan and 1 cup mozzarella to sauce and stir until fully melted.
- Step 7 Mix in spinach, basil and mushrooms and heat until leaves wilt, about 5 minutes, stirring regularly
- Step 8 Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in shredded chicken
- Step 9 Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray and begin to assemble your lasagna
- Step 10 Spread 1/3 of prepared sauce over bottom of baking dish. Layer ½ of cooked noodles on top of sauce. Spread ½ ricotta over noodles. Lightly salt the ricotta
- Step 11 Repeat with same quantities- 1/3 of sauce, remaining noodles, remaining ricotta
- Step 12 Spread the rest of the sauce over the top of the second ricotta layer. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella evenly over the top
- Step 13 Cover entire dish with tinfoil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake until golden brown and bubbling at the edges, about 15 more minutes
NOT-SO-PRO TIPS
For the lasagna newbies out there: this recipe assumes you’re using regular (not no-boil) noodles. After they finish cooking, make sure you lay out each noodle flat, don’t just pour them into a colander and leave them. Trust me, I’ve done the latter, you don’t want to.
To get your shredded chicken, you can either use a portion of a rotisserie chicken from the store or bring a pot of water to a boil and add about 1 pound uncooked chicken, cook for 10-20 minutes based on the chicken’s thickness. Remove chicken to a cutting board and use 2 forks to shred.