A delicious, cozy recipe for Rosemary Chicken Lasagna with mushrooms and spinach in a creamy Béchamel Sauce. A hearty meal perfect for special gatherings or Sunday supper. Vegetarian-adaptable. Video!
Walk around feeling like a leaf. Know you could tumble any second. Then decide what to do with your time.
Naomi Shihab Nye
I love Sundays…cozy, relaxing, and practically begging for comfort food. Here is one of my favorite recipes on cold chilly days like these-perfect for curling up on the couch with a good book or movie – Chicken lasagna! A staple in our catering business, this lasagna recipe was one of the most popular recipes during the colder months.
Instead of a traditional red sauce, this version is made with a creamy béchamel sauce infused with a hint of nutmeg. Layered with tender chicken breast, wilted spinach and savory mushrooms, it can easily be made vegetarian by adding more mushrooms and leaving out the chicken.
Why You’ll Love Chicken Lasagna!
- Delicious Flavor: This creamy rosemary Chicken Lasagna is bursting with delicious flavors. The combination of tender chicken breast, earthy mushrooms, wilted spinach, and aromatic rosemary creates a rich and savory taste that will leave your taste buds craving more. The creamy béchamel sauce with a hint of nutmeg elevates the dish.
- Versatile: This recipe is versatile and can be easily adapted to suit various dietary preferences. If you’re a vegetarian, you can simply omit the chicken and increase the amount of mushrooms for a flavorful vegetarian adaptation. You can also use plant-based milk, vegan ricotta and vegan cheese to make it dairy-free and vegan-friendly.
- Perfect Comfort Food: Chicken Lasagna is the ultimate comfort food, especially on cold, chilly days. The layers of lasagna noodles, chicken, mushrooms, and creamy sauce provide a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for special gatherings. It’s the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out!
Chicken Lasagna Ingredients
- Chicken breast: Boneless and skinless chicken breast adds savory protein to the lasagna. This can be left out to create a vegetarian version- just double or triple the mushrooms. A quick hack here is to use leftover rotisserie chicken!
- Mushrooms add an earthy, meaty, umami flavor to the lasagna. Play with different varieties ( wild or tame) mushrooms; button, cremini, portobello mushrooms, shitake, oyster, morels, or chanterelles!
- Onion and Garlic: add a sweet, pungent, savory flavor to the lasagna, giving depth
- Rosemary: the signature herb here, imparting a delightful aroma. Feel free to sub-fresh sage or thyme.
- Spinach: We love adding nutrient-rich leafy greens to the lasagna. Feel free to use other wilting greens.
- Milk: To create the bechamel sauce, we use milk (not cream) to keep it on the lighter side- but keep in mind, plant-based milks like soy milk or almond milk work great too!
- Cheeses: Mozzarella adds the melty element we all love in lasagna while parmesan cheese or pecorino romano adds the flavor! Ricotta cheese is used between the layers for a luscious creaminess. Feel free to use vegan cheeses- like our vegan ricotta.
- Spices: nutmeg adds a subtle hint of exotic sweetness and complexity to the lasagna and white pepper– a milder alternative to black pepper, provides a unique flavor. Feel free to use black pepper!
- Lasagna noodles: If you can track down fresh lasagna noodles, use these for the best texture. Par-boil dry lasagna noodles if using. For a fun, light twist, we’ve even made this with eggroll wrappers! (see notes)
- Lemon zest: adds an unexpected brightness to the dish, enhancing the overall taste experience.
Chicken Lasagna Instructions
There are three components to Chicken lasagna- the savory chicken filling, the ricotta mixture and the creamy white sauce, called Bechamel Sauce. All or any of these can be made ahead! You can make the chicken lasagna in stages, cutting down the workload on the day of your gathering.
Step one: Make the filling. In an extra large skillet saute chicken breast, mushrooms, onion and garlic with rosemary and chopped spinach. You could easily use leftover rotisserie chicken.
The filling is very adaptable as you will see from the recipe. I personally like adding mushrooms and spinach to the chicken. You could leave these out. Or, you could just as easily leave out the chicken and make this completely vegetarian by adding more mushrooms ( or other veggies) and spinach.
Step two: Make the Béchamel Sauce. In a medium pot, melt unsalted butter (or use olive oil) over med-low heat. Add all-purpose flour and stir for 2-3 minutes on med heat until flour is golden. Whisk in milk one cup at a time. Add rosemary and bring to a gentle simmer, do not leave it unattended, stirring constantly until thickened. Add salt, nutmeg and white pepper. Stir until incorporated, set aside.
Step 3: Make the ricotta mixture. Whisk ricotta cheese with an egg, lemon zest, salt, pepper and nutmeg. Set aside.
Step four: Assemble the Lasagna! Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread enough bechamel sauce to coat the bottom. Add the first layer of lasagna noodles, then top with half of the ricotta cheese mixture.
Add half of the chicken/mushroom/spinach filling. Top with mozzarella cheese, pecorino cheese and drizzle with bechamel sauce.
Repeat this one more time. Add noodles, remaining ricotta, remaining filling, mozzarella cheese, pecorino cheese, and a little bechamel sauce.
Top with the third and final layer of lasagna noodles. Pour the remaining bechamel sauce over the top. Add the remaining mozzarella and pecorino cheese. Sprinkle with a little more rosemary and place a layer of parchment paper over the lasagna, then cover tightly with foil, keeping the foil from touching the lasagna.
You can assemble it up to this point and refrigerate for 3 days, then bake (letting it come to room temp before baking) on the day of serving.
Step 4: Bake the Lasagna. Place in a 400 F oven, covered with parchment and foil, until heated through and bubbling, 30-40 minutes. Remove the foil and let bake uncovered until beautiful and golden, about 10 more minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
We love serving hearty main dishes like this creamy Chicken Lasagna with lighter, leafy green salads. Here are some that would pair well!
- Caesar Salad
- Pear Salad with Vanilla Fig Dressing
- Kale Salad
- Lemony Kale Slaw (Vegan)
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Garlic Bread
Storing Chicken Lasagna
Leftovers will keep up to 4 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container or can be put in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Chicken Lasagna FAQS
- Can I make chicken lasagna ahead of time? Yes, you can make chicken lasagna ahead of time. You can prepare the filling, béchamel sauce, and ricotta mixture in advance and assemble the lasagna when you’re ready to bake it. You can also assemble the entire lasagna and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking.
- Can I freeze chicken lasagna? Yes, you can freeze chicken lasagna, either baked or unbaked. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer it to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before baking it according to the recipe instructions.
- Can I use a different type of cheese in chicken lasagna? Absolutely! While mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta are commonly used in chicken lasagna, you can experiment with other types of cheese as well. Some options include cheddar, provolone, fontina, or even a blend of cheeses. Feel free to get creative and use your favorite cheeses.
- Can I make chicken lasagna vegetarian? Yes, you can easily adapt the chicken lasagna recipe to make it vegetarian. Simply omit the chicken and double or triple mushrooms or add other vegetables! To make this vegan, use vegan cheese and plant-based milk! Our vegan ricotta is good too!
- Can I substitute the lasagna noodles with something else? Yes, you can get creative with the noodles in chicken lasagna. If you’re looking for a lighter twist, you can use egg roll wrappers instead of traditional lasagna noodles. Or get gluten-free lasagna noodles.
More Lasagna recipes you may like!
Rosemary Chicken Lasagna Video
Chicken Lasagna Recipe
- Prep Time: 55 mins
- Cook Time: 55 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 mins
- Yield: 9
- Category: dinner, lasagna, chicken
- Method: baked
- Cuisine: italian
Description
A delicious recipe for creamy Chicken Lasagna with mushrooms, spinach and rosemary layered with a creamy bechamel sauce. Vegetarian-adaptable. See notes for making ahead.
Ingredients
Lasagna Filling:
- 1 1/4 lb chicken breast, cut into small bite-sized, 1/2-inch pieces ( see recipe notes for vegetarian) or use leftover rotisserie chicken.
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt, pepper to taste
- 12 oz sliced mushrooms (optional- or replace with more chicken)
- 1 onion- diced
- 6 cloves garlic -chopped
- 1 tablespoons fresh rosemary- chopped ( or 2 teaspoons dried, or sub thyme or sage)
- 2–3 cups packed, chopped fresh spinach
Bechamel Sauce Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons butter (or olive oil)
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 3 cups whole milk (or use a plant-based milk)
- 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp white pepper or sub black pepper
Lasagna ingredients:
- Fresh lasagna noodles, 9 x par-boiled lasagna noodles (or try egg roll wrappers for an extra light version!)
- 12 oz fresh or grated mozzarella cheese
- 15 oz whole milk ricotta
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- Black pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 3/4 cup Parmesan, or Pecorino cheese grated
- Truffle oil– optional but amazing!
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F
- If using dry pasta start your salted water to a boil, and par-cook the lasagna noodles to aldente.
- Make the Filling: (see notes for vegetarian) Cut chicken into 1/2 inch, bite-size pieces and season with 1 teaspoon salt and cracked pepper to taste. Saute in a skillet, on medium heat, with 1-2 tablespoons olive oil until golden brown, and cooked through. Place chicken in a bowl and set aside. Wipe out the pan and add a little more oil. Add mushrooms and onion and saute until tender, on med heat, about 7 min. Add garlic and rosemary, and saute 2 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper and lower heat to med-low, and saute until mushrooms release their liquid. Add chopped spinach, stir until wilted and add this to the chicken. Set aside.
- Make Bechamel Sauce: In a medium saucepan melt butter on medium-low heat. Add flour and stir for 2-3 minutes on med heat until flour is golden. Whisk in milk one cup at a time. Add rosemary and stir constantly ( do not walk away) until it just comes to a simmer- this will thicken it. Add salt, nutmeg and white pepper. Stir until incorporated, set aside.
- Make the ricotta mixture. Whisk ricotta cheese with an egg, lemon zest, pepper and nutmeg. Set aside.
- Assemble the Lasagna. Butter or grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Pour ¾ cup bechamel sauce in the bottom and spread out. Place one layer of lasagna noodles. Cover with half of the ricotta mixture, spreading it evenly. Top with half of the chicken/mushroom filling, sprinkle with one-third of the parmesan cheese, and one-third of the fresh mozzarella cheese. Drizzle with 1 cup of bechamel sauce, Repeat, adding another single layer of lasagna noodles, lightly pressing down. Spread out the remainder of the ricotta cheese mixture, top with the remainder of the chicken mushroom filling, another third of the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese and drizzle with another cup of bechamel. (Optional: at this point, you could drizzle with a little truffle oil -it’s delicious). Top with the last layer of lasagna noodles and pour the remainder of the bechamel sauce, spreading evenly. Add the last of the cheeses, and sprinkle with a little rosemary.
- Bake covered tightly with parchment and foil in a 400F oven for 40 minutes or until hot and bubbly. (Parchment prevents the foil from touching the lasagna which can leach aluminum. )Remove parchment and foil and bake uncovered until the top is golden, about 10-15 more minutes. Let rest from the oven 10-15 minutes before cutting, so it sets up.
- Leftovers will keep up to 4 days in the fridge, or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Make it ahead: An easy way to tackle this is to make it in stages. Make the filling ahead (and refrigerate for up to 3 days), and make the bechamel sauce ahead- that way, on the day of, you could simply mix the ricotta, boil the noodles, assemble and bake. You can also assemble the whole lasagna up to 3 days ahead. Let it come to room temp before baking.
Vegetarian: You can make this vegetarian by subbing mushrooms for the chicken. You will need 1 ½ -2 pounds total. You could also sub other sautéed veggies into the mix, or more spinach. Saute the mushrooms and onion, and when tender, add the garlic and rosemary and season with salt and pepper. Add chopped spinach and wilt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/9th of a baking dish
- Calories: 461
- Sugar: 6.3 g
- Sodium: 936.9 mg
- Fat: 18.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 31.8 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 40.9 g
- Cholesterol: 101.8 mg
Delicious.
I omitted the ricotta and didn’t miss it.
I cut the recipe in half so I could bake using the pressure cook option on my ninja foodi / insta pot. Lasagna in 30 min.
Wow! Good to hear, I’ll have to try that .
I made this a couple of months ago for a dinner party after unsuccessfully searching for the recipe I’ve been making for years. The flavors and textures were great. I used at least double the mushrooms (cremini and shiitake), increased the spinach to 5-6 ounces, and omitted the truffle oil. My only issue was that the final result was too dry for me. I prefer a looser, more saucy lasagna. The next time I will cut back some on the flour and increase the milk. I’m also wondering if the sauce would be more runny if I didn’t whisk it for so long. This sauce thickened far more than when I’ve previously made béchamel.
Interesting? Maybe the type of milk you used?
Appreciate your feed back!
To reduce the amount of dairy, I have been using firm tofu in the place of ricotta. It works. Crumble to drain a bit before mixing in egg.
Great to hear! We also have a tofu ricotta recipe.:)
Another great recipe from your collection. I made this for a dinner party and sent leftovers home because my guests loved it so much. Followed the recipe as written except I used store bought rotisserie chicken and used part skim ricotta. So delicious!
Love it Catherine. Thanks so much for the review!
Making this for my Saturday dinner party. When and where do you add truffle oil if using! Thanks
I drizzle it over the chicken filling, while assembling.
Are you supposed to blend the ricotta, egg, and lemon zest?
I’m not sure what the ricotta mixture is other than the ricotta itself. So I’m wonder if that’s a missing step in the instructions while those things are on the ingredients list.
Thanks! I have made this recipe a few times and love it!!
Hi Renee, yes, mix it all in a bowl. 🙂 Added to the instructions.
Another fantastic recipe, Sylvia! Made it last night for friends visiting from out of town and it got rave reviews! Thanks for sharing!
Appreciate hearing this Jennifer!
I made this several years ago and was revisiting the recipe to make again. To make it easier could I use shredded cooked rotisserie chicken, and then add the sautéed mushrooms and spinach to that? How do you think it would work? It is so tasty as is but would like a speedier version
That sound work just fine Nanci! Nice to have those speedy options.
It would be nice if you include potassium in your recipes. I cannot eat much of that — less than 2000 mg per day.
Will look into that!
Dear Sylvia,
This is my second year making this lasagna in the week after Christmas. I will try chicken thighs this year for more flavor. My simple question (since I rarely make lasagna and this makes a large amount) is what is the best way to reheat for subsequent dinners – after baking I cut it into serving sizes and freeze it.
Thank you for your wonderful recipes and your emphasis on vegetarian options.
Happy New Year!
Mary
Happy New year Mary! I would thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in a 350 oven. Or you could microwave, but I personally prefer baking. 🙂
I am planning to make this recipe on the weekend.
I wonder if preparing the chicken using your shredded chicken recipe would work with this recipe or would it result in competing flavours? We love the shredded chicken recipe.
I think the shredding technique is fine here, but maybe would lighten up on the spices?
This is amazing! Might even be adding it to my Yule menu. I made the bechamel using almond milk and it turned out wonderfully.
Great to hear Michie!
This is didn’t knock my socks off like I was hoping. It wasn’t BAD, but for the work put in I was hoping for more bang for my buck.
Thanks for the feedback- I need to redo this recipe. Did you use eggroll noodles by chance? Any suggestions or specific feedback- or ways you think it could be improved? Thanks any feedback is appreciated!
This sounds incredible. On the dry lasagna noodles do they cook while your are baking the lasagna or do you precook them???
Yes, if you use “no-boil”, dry lasagna noodles, they will cook as the lasagna bakes.
Thank you. Definitely gonna try this!!
I’m curious if you think this will freeze well? If so, should I freeze it after cooking or before? Thanks!
Hi Tiffany- I think it would freeze fine! I would freeze after baking.
It freezes very well! I had some left over, so I cut it into portions before freezing. It was very enjoyable.
Amazing just as is! Opted out of spinach but said yes to the truffle oil and omg! Definitely elevates this dish. I’ll be making it again today for Christmas dinner tomorrow. Thanks!!
Awesome Barb!
Hi Sylvia,
I love your recipes!
I’m hoping to do this with deboned chicken thighs. Would that need longer time in the oven?
Many thanks!
Hi Mary, You cook the chicken first before assembling the lasagna. So baking time would be the same. 🙂
I made this recently. When doing so, I was thinking that’s a lot of cheese! However, when it all bakes together, with the addition of the rosemary two ways, it is sheer delight in your mouth! And with the use of the egg roll wrappers, it also lightens up the dish in a most wonderful way! Fantastic recipe! Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this Cary!
Hi Sylvia,
Planning on making this recipe tonight- just want to double check- if using regular lasagna noodles not fresh you do NOT cook the noodles before right?
You do not have to cook first. 🙂
Do you have to use the no-cook noodles or are regular noodles fine?
You can use either. 🙂
My husband and I love your recipes! Several months ago we stumbled upon your 40 Mouthwatering vegan recipes….and have made many. And loved all of them, we’re not even vegan. But these days we’ve been craving all of your delicious vegetarian based meals. We haven’t given up meat completely, but only cook it maybe once a week. Don’t even miss it.
This lasagna was AMAZING. The only thing that didn’t turn out for me is that it had a lot of liquid left over. I made the vegetarian version with 2lbs of mushrooms. I’m thinking I should’ve drained the filling? Also used cottage cheese instead of ricotta and maybe should drain that too? I really, really love this dish and want to figure out what I did wrong. Thanks for your wonderful recipes!
Thanks so much Marissa! Yes, I wonder if liquid from the mushrooms made this watery. They do release a lot of liquid – but instead of draining, continue cooking the mushrooms,to “cook off” the liquid rather than draining it which will keep the flavor in there. 🙂 I don’t think cottage cheese would make it watery?
Hi Sylvia, could I make this recipe one day ahead and keep it in the refrigerator before baking?
Yes, I think that would be fine!
Outstanding, and rather easy to make. I will be making this again for my family on Christmas Day
Oh awesome! Great to hear and thanks so much for the comment, very appreciated!
So good! I ended up making one with chicken and one vegetarian for a dinner party I had and everyone had great things to say. Will definitely be making again.
Also, making for a dinner party Saturday. One w chicken; one without. Agree on cooking down the mushrooms to make sure as much liquid as possible is gone. Our first go with this, we did 1/2 … and OMG … it was INCREDIBLE. Fresh rosemary is critical 🙂 Thanks for another great one.
So happy you enjoyed!
Delicious. Will make again.
Yes! Awesome!