Description
Culinary magic unfolds in this cheesy chicken, spinach, and artichoke lasagna, blending Mediterranean flavors with comforting American style. Layers of creamy cheese, tender chicken, and earthy vegetables create a memorable dining experience that will delight your taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 chicken breasts
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 can artichoke hearts
- 12 lasagna noodles
Cheese Components:
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Binding Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish with a light coating of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Dice the chicken breasts into small, uniform cubes and season with salt and black pepper, ensuring even distribution of seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- Mince the garlic and chop the spinach and artichoke hearts into bite-sized pieces, setting them aside for layering.
- In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, beaten egg, and heavy cream, whisking until smooth and well-integrated.
- Boil the lasagna noodles in salted water according to package instructions, then drain and rinse with cold water to prevent further cooking.
- Create the first layer in the baking dish by spreading a thin layer of the ricotta mixture on the bottom, followed by a layer of lasagna noodles.
- Distribute the cooked chicken, chopped spinach, and artichoke hearts evenly over the noodles, then sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Repeat the layering process, alternating noodles, ricotta mixture, chicken, vegetables, and cheeses until all ingredients are used.
- Top the final layer with a generous amount of mozzarella and parmesan cheese for a golden, crispy surface.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.
- Allow the lasagna to rest for 10-15 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps set the layers and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Optimize chicken seasoning by using a blend of herbs like thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning for deeper flavor profile.
- Keep chicken pieces uniform to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the lasagna.
- Use fresh spinach instead of frozen for brighter color and crisper texture, but squeeze out excess moisture to prevent watery layers.
- Consider low-fat ricotta and part-skim mozzarella for a lighter version without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg