Easy Chicken Lasagna

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Making this easy chicken lasagna is sure to please even picky eaters. The whole family will love savoring every delicious bite topped off with cheese, just enough to provide that classic gooey topping without any additional fuss or hassle.

wooden spatula holding a large slice of lasagna above a baking dish

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Easy Chicken Lasagna
Ingredients
Handy Kitchen Tools
How to Make Chicken Lasagna
Frequently Asked Questions
More Easy Recipes
Easy Chicken Lasagna

Easy Chicken Lasagna

This recipe is made with lean ground chicken and a rich combination of homemade sauce, tons of cheese, and traditional lasagna noodles. A classic comfort food revamped that has all the delightful zest of authentic restaurant-quality Italian cuisine without breaking the bank – or requiring hours of your time in the kitchen.

This recipe is super straightforward, simple to follow, and easily adaptable for different preferences or just for variety! Throw everything together in one baking dish for an effortless dinner with a big flavor appeal. Serve it up hot as is or as an accompaniment to a fresh garden salad. No matter how you choose to enjoy it – your family will be asking for seconds.

Want more Italian flavor that is on the healthy side? Make this chicken meatball casserole instead!

baking dish of chicken lasagna on wood cutting board

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds ground chicken (750g)
1 medium white onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
1 teaspoon salt (6g)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (2.5g)
½ teaspoon black pepper (1.5g)
2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
2 ⅛ cups tomato sauce (520ml)
2 cups bechamel sauce (480ml)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (225g)
16 lasagna sheets, cooked

Note: You may use a mix or ready-made bechamel sauce for this recipe, or follow this recipe for homemade bechamel sauce if you prefer. Add more flavor with a simple alfredo sauce if you prefer.

small white ramekins of ingredienst on table by raw lasagna noodles

Handy Kitchen Tools

rectangular white baking dish filled with chicken lasagna laying on marble table

How to Make Chicken Lasagna

Video Recipe:

Before you begin preparing the sauce and assembling this dish, you will want to preheat the oven to 375°F/190° Cand then spray the baking dish with non-stick spray. While the spray is not necessary, it does make cleanup just a bit easier.

Over medium heat in a large skillet add the olive oil and onions. Cook these while stirring regularly, for around 5 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.

white onion in black skillet on hot plate

To the skillet, add the garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until aromatic.

Now, add in the ground chicken. Cook this for 8 to 10 minutes. Make sure to stir and break up the meat as it cooks. Then, season the chicken with salt and pepper. If desired, add Italian herbs as well as fresh thyme.

Pour in 2 cups of tomato sauce, stir well, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, until it is heated through and bubbling.

tomato sauce being poured into cooked ground chicken

If using traditional pasta, cook according to the package directions then drain and set aside. To save time and effort, you can use oven-ready pasta sheets.

Now, begin assembling the lasagna. Start first by spreading the remaining ⅛ cup of tomato sauce along the bottom of the baking dish. This will help the pasta to stay in place but also prevent it from burning or getting too crisp on the bottom.

Now, you will add a layer of lasagna sheets to cover the bottom of the pan. Then, spread around ½ of the chicken and tomato sauce over the pasta and spread evenly.

pasta sauce on top of noodles in white baking dish

On top of the chicken and sauce, spread ½ of the bechamel sauce. Then, sprinkle the top of that with ¼ cup shredded mozzarella.

Repeat this process a second time. Then, add a final layer of noodles. Top it with tomato sauce, and with the last ½ of the shredded mozzarella cheese.

Bake for 25 minutes until heated through, bubbling, and the cheese is starting to brown.

Serve immediately with a sprig of fresh basil or a dusting of parmesan cheese on top if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Secret to a Good Lasagna?

The key to getting the most out of your lasagna is to make sure that you don't skimp on the ingredients. Quality matters here – use high-quality noodles, sauce, and cheese so that each bite is as flavorful as possible. Also, be sure to layer the ingredients properly: start with a layer of noodles followed by a layer of chicken sauce, bechamel, and shredded cheese. Alternate between noodles and the other ingredients until you reach the top – then finish off with cheese! The different layers ensure that all the flavors come to life in every single bite.

Can I Use Ready-Made Bechamel Sauce in This?

Yes. If you'd like to save time, feel free to substitute a ready-made bechamel sauce for homemade bechamel sauce. Keep in mind that this will change the flavor profile of the dish slightly when you use store-bought rather than homemade.
For an extra kick of flavor, try adding fresh herbs like basil or oregano to the bechamel sauce before spreading it on top of the lasagna. This will infuse the entire dish with an herby, aromatic taste.

Do You Have to Boil Lasagna Noodles Before Baking?

No, you do not have to boil the lasagna noodles before baking. You can use pre-cooked lasagna noodles or dry lasagna that has been soaked in hot water for about 30 minutes. Be sure to separate the pieces of noodles before adding them to the dish so that they don't stick together while cooking.

Can I Make This Without the Chicken?

Yes. If you'd like to make this without the chicken, simply omit it and use more cheese or vegetables in its place. Alternatively, you can substitute ground beef, ground turkey, or Italian sausage for the chicken if desired.

You can even add a layer of spinach for additional nutrition and flavor. This dish is incredibly versatile, so feel free to experiment and make it your own.

spatula holding a slice of chicken lasagna above baking dish

More Easy Recipes

Want something else with some pasta? Check out our favorite dishes below. Pasta is a perfect idea for a busy weeknight meal. Bookmark the ones you love, print out the recipes, or pin them to Pinterest to make soon!

Yield: 12

Easy Chicken Lasagna

Make dinnertime a breeze with this easy chicken lasagna recipe. Filled with flavorful ground chicken, a homemade sauce, fresh herbs, and a generous helping of cheese, it's a hearty and satisfying meal that's perfect for the whole family

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

1 ½ pounds ground chicken (750g)
1 medium white onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 sprigs of fresh thyme
2 tablespoons olive oil (30ml)
1 teaspoon salt (6g)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (2.5g)
½ teaspoon black pepper (1.5g)
2 ⅛ cups tomato sauce (520ml)
2 cups tomato sauce (480ml)
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (225g)
16 lasagna sheets, cooked

Instructions

Spray a 9"x13" baking dish with non-stick spray then set it aside. Then, preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C.
In a large skillet, over medium heat, add the olive oil and onions. Cook, stirring regularly, for 5 minutes, or until translucent.
To the skillet, add the garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until aromatic.
Then, add in the ground chicken and cook it for 8 to 10 minutes, breaking it up as it cooks.
Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs (if desired). Add the fresh thyme, then pour in 2 cups of tomato sauce and heat through. Let this cook over low-medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring regularly.
While this cooks, prepare the lasagna noodles according to the package directions. Drain and set them aside.
Now, pour the remaining ⅛ cup tomato sauce onto the bottom of the pan and spread it evenly. Add a layer of lasagna sheets over the sauce. Then, spread ½ of the chicken sauce over the pasta.
Add ½ of the bechamel sauce over the chicken red sauce. Then, sprinkle with ¼ cup of the mozzarella.
Repeat this process a second time. Then, add a final layer of noodles. Top it with tomato sauce, and with the last ½ of the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 25 minutes until heated through, bubbling, and the cheese is starting to brown.