White Sauce Chicken Lasagna – Creamy, Cozy, and Comforting

White Sauce Chicken Lasagna is everything you love about classic lasagna, wrapped in a rich, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth experience. Instead of tomato sauce, this version uses a silky white béchamel-style sauce that coats tender chicken, soft noodles, and layers of cheese in pure comfort. It’s indulgent without being overwhelming, making it perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or make-ahead meals.

This lasagna is especially loved for its balance. The chicken adds heartiness, the white sauce brings luxurious creaminess, and the cheese layers melt together into something deeply satisfying. It feels special enough for guests but familiar enough to become a regular in your dinner rotation. Each slice holds together beautifully, with distinct layers that make it just as impressive to serve as it is delicious to eat.

One of the best things about White Sauce Chicken Lasagna is how adaptable it is. You can use rotisserie chicken to save time, add spinach or mushrooms for extra flavor, or even swap in different cheeses depending on what you have. It reheats beautifully, freezes well, and tastes even better the next day—making it a true comfort food classic.

Ingredients:

• 9 lasagna noodles, cooked and drained
• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3½ cups milk, warmed
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1½ cups ricotta cheese
• 2½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped (optional)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and whisk constantly for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.
4. Slowly whisk in warm milk, stirring continuously until smooth and thickened.
5. Add garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat.
6. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese with half of the parmesan cheese.
7. Spread a thin layer of white sauce on the bottom of the baking dish.
8. Layer 3 noodles, followed by chicken, spinach (if using), ricotta mixture, mozzarella, and white sauce.
9. Repeat layers two more times, finishing with white sauce and remaining mozzarella and parmesan on top.
10. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
11. Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.
12. Let rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with parsley and serve.

White Sauce Chicken Lasagna

A creamy baked chicken lasagna layered with rich white sauce, tender chicken, and melted cheese.

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 50 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Dish

Cuisine: Italian-American

Calories: 520

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Lasagna Layers

• 9 pieces lasagna noodles cooked
• 3 cups cooked chicken shredded
• 1.5 cups ricotta cheese
• 2.5 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
• 0.75 cup parmesan cheese grated

White Sauce

• 4 tbsp butter
• 4 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 3.5 cups milk warm
• 3 cloves garlic minced

Equipment

• Saucepan
• Whisk
• 9×13 inch baking dish

Method

 

1. Prepare white sauce by cooking butter, flour, milk, and seasonings until thick.
2. Layer noodles, chicken, cheeses, and white sauce in baking dish.
3. Cover and bake until bubbly, then uncover to brown top.
4. Rest before slicing and serving.

Notes

Allow resting time for clean slices and best texture.

Tips & Tricks:

• Warm milk prevents lumps in the sauce.
• Let lasagna rest before cutting for clean slices.
• Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds flavor.
• Use whole-milk cheeses for best texture.

Variations:

• Chicken Alfredo Lasagna: Add a splash of cream and extra parmesan to the sauce.
• Veggie Add-In: Mushrooms, zucchini, or broccoli work beautifully.
• Extra Cheesy: Add provolone or fontina for deeper flavor.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free lasagna noodles and flour substitute.

Serving Suggestions:

• Serve with garlic bread or warm dinner rolls.
• Pair with a crisp Caesar or garden salad.
• Perfect as a main dish for gatherings and holidays.

Storage Information:

• Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days.
• Freeze baked or unbaked lasagna for up to 3 months.
• Reheat covered in the oven for best results.

FAQ:

• Can I make this ahead of time? Yes, assemble up to 24 hours in advance.
• Can I use canned chicken? Yes, but fresh or rotisserie chicken has better texture.
• Is this kid-friendly? Very—creamy and mild in flavor.

History / Fun Facts:
White lasagna, often called lasagna bianca, is an Italian-inspired variation that highlights cheese and cream instead of tomato sauce. American kitchens embraced chicken-based versions for their richness and approachability, making white sauce chicken lasagna a modern comfort food favorite.