Kick Ass Chicken Lasagna
A completely amazing, totally delicious chicken lasagna recipe that is always a favorite! Kick Ass Chicken Lasagna is the perfect cozy comfort food meal and is one of my favorites to bring for neighbors when you need to stuff the fridge.
When I decided to share my favorite chicken lasagna here, I was actually inspired by the World's Worst Lasagna that I was served just recently.
To give you an idea, it was loaded with cream of chicken soup [NO], which, I'm pretty sure, should never be in anything called lasagna.
While I was researching all the things you need to make a seriously Kick Ass Chicken Lasagna (details below), something happened.
My friend's very young and very healthy husband just out of the blue got very sick. At age 29 he was diagnosed with colon cancer. 9 days before Christmas.
And my heart just broke for them.
I wanted to DO something because I am a bring you magazines, walk your dogs, fill up your fridge kinda girl. The only problem is that my friend lives in Chicago which is approximately really extra far from here.
And so I, along with a handful of other food bloggers decided to virtually fill up our friend's fridge.
Chicken Lasagna is for sure a dish that's easy to tote along to a potluck, or send to a neighbor that's buried in work, had a baby, or just has no time to cook with whatever is ailing them.
And I wanna take a minute to tell you about my friend.
Do you know Ashley at Center Cut Cook? You probably do and you just didn't know it. Ashley is responsible for the super duper world famous Chocolate Lasagna.
Once we went to a family gathering and there was a giant pan of Chocolate Lasagna just hanging out on the dessert table. Whoever brought it just found the recipe (because it is everywhere. It really is famous!), loved it, and made it, having no idea they were cooking from my friend's archives. I messaged her right away.
Ashley is not only the master of chocolate and Oreos, but also is responsible for things like Maple Bacon Dijon Chicken. All of those words right next to each other are perfect. {the photos are more perfect. Seriously.}
And then there's the Candy Cane Kisses Hot Cocoa Mix which... actually I could really use a big cup of that right now!!!
Besides being very talented in the kitchen and behind the camera, Ashley is amazingly supportive of her peers. She shares and sends along kind words of encouragement -- I can't even count how many times she has helped me with big things, with little things, or just exchanged a few lines of funny frustrations.
She is reeeeeally great.
Her husband is great, too! He manages servers or something very techno-savvy for his job and once he just waved his magic computer wand on Sugar Dish Me and fixed a bunch of things that would have taken me a decade.
They are the nicest nice people, married for 10 years now and high school sweethearts, which for me makes what is happening exponentially unfair and plain old crummy.
WHAT GOES WITH CHICKEN LASAGNA?
Salad! I love a good salad with all my dinners, but especially with a cheesy pasta dish like lasagna. I VERY MUCH recommend my Favorite Italian Salad Recipe. the dressing is a little bit Olive Garden copycat recipe, but with more flavor (and no packets of seasoning).
And you can't have lasagna without bread. My Easy Cheesy Italian Bread Recipe is a no-knead bread stuffed with cheese, bread, and tomatoes. If you are in a hurry, you can throw together this Almost 1 Hour Dinner Bread Recipe. I also HIGHLY recommend Copycat Carrabba's Herb Dip.
Who needs to go out when you can have all this (and leftovers!) in your own kitchen?
Kick Ass Chicken Lasagna
An amazingly cheesy chicken lasagna that kicks ass! It is also perfect to take to a neighbor or friend. This is stuff-the-refrigerator food!!!
Ingredients
- 9 uncooked lasagna noodles
For the Filling:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into very small bits (½ inch or smaller)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 12 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 ounces grated Parmesan Romano cheese
For the Cheese Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 2 ½ cups milk (at least 2 %)
- 4 ounces grated Parmesan Romano cheese
- 12 ounces shredded mozzarella, divided
For the Mushrooms:
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1 teaspoon oregano
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly grease a 13 X 9 baking dish (I rub a little olive oil on the bottom and sides).
- Cook the lasagna noodles according to package instructions, but only cook halfway (because they will cook more in the oven). Drain and rinse with cold water (stops the cooking process).
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the chicken. Then add the salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Brown the chicken over medium high heat. This will take only 4-5 minutes (because the chicken pieces are small).
- Set the drained noodles and cooked chicken aside.
- In a medium bowl mix together the ricotta cheese, egg, and 2 ounces Grated Parmesan Romano. Stir in the cooked chicken and set aside.
- Make the cheese sauce and cook the mushrooms at the same time. In a medium saucepan melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour until it thickens. Then pour in the milk, stirring while you pour. Bring it to a simmer.
- In a medium skillet (or re-use the pan you cooked the chicken in), melt the tablespoon of butter. Add the mushrooms and toss them with the oregano. Let them cook over medium high heat, stirring occasionally, until they are caramelly in color - about 5 minutes.
- When the milk in the saucepan simmers, stir in the 4 ounces of grated Parmesan Romano cheese, and 8 ounces of the mozzarella. Stir until it melts.
- To assemble the lasagna, lay 3 of the noodles on the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread ⅓ of the ricotta mixture over the noodles. Spoon or ladle ⅓ of the cheese sauce over the ricotta mixture. This will help it to spread. Top with half of the mushrooms.
- Repeat. When you get to the last layer, sprinkle the entire top with the remaining 4 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 424Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 118mgSodium: 652mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 37g
If you are looking for more recipes that are perfect for filling the refrigerators of all your neighbors and friends, I have a few recommendations
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole {Gluten Free} - My Gluten Free Kitchen
Cashew Rice Bowl - Vegan in the Freezer
Pepperoni Pizza Dip - Wishes and Dishes
Meals to Deliver to Family and Friends - Barefeet in the Kitchen
Comfort Food Because Sometimes Bad Things Happen - On the Banks of Squaw Creek
Wow - such sad news for Ashley and her husband 🙁 Thanks for sharing her story and giving us a way to support her! This lasagna looks like a great way to start.
Oh goodness, gracious, this lasagna is amazing.
Thanks Pamela!!!
The lasagna looks so delish. Could there be anything else to put in there besides mushrooms? I really don't like mushrooms. Thanks and prayers sent Ashley and Ryans way. <3
Hi Brenda!!! I actually need to edit the recipe because I just realized I did not include the prosciutto! I added a little prosciutto with the mushrooms. If you don't like mushrooms you could saute a little fresh spinach (I say a little but really an 8 or 12 ounce bag will cook waaaay down) with about 1/8 cup chopped prosciutto. If you can't get your hands on prosciutto (sometimes I can't find it!) then cooked, drained, and crumbled bacon will be just fine 🙂 If spinach is also not your thing you could try a few sweet peas (if they are frozen make sure they are thawed and patted dry so your lasagna isn't watery) or roasted cherry tomatoes. I hope this helps! Happy cooking!!
Sending prayers and happy thoughts her way.!!!!!!!---Rachel
Thanks so much Rachel!!!
This lasagna looks AMAZING!!! Seriously, can't wait to try making this with gluten-free lasagna noodles.
Thanks again for doing this round-up for Ashley!
Yaaay!!!! I can't wait for you to make gluten free lasagna!!! Thanks a bazillion for participating and sharing that fabulous casserole!
Heather, you are one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever met. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. This Kick Ass Chicken Lasagna is so appropriate because I am certain Ryan is going to kick cancer's ass! Thank you again, for just being plain awesome.
I was seriously thrilled to death that I finally thought of something I could DO. You guys are super wonderful and I really just think so so much of you both. My heart was just breaking for you -- I can't even imagine the stress of something like that. I'm so happy to call you my friend and so glad I could lend a teensy hand in kicking cancer's ass (which Ryan will. I am sure.).
Beautiful post, Heather!!
Thanks Amy!
You are all a caring and loving community. Hope lots of people reach out to help with love and prayers and donations.
Thank you mom!!!!!
So sorry to hear this news 🙁 But what a great thing you all are doing for them. Thank you for sharing, encouraging, and inspiring!
Thanks so much Marie! Hope your holidays have been great!!!