Artichoke Chicken And Spinach Lasagna Recipe

Easy Artichoke Chicken And Spinach Lasagna Recipe: Family Favorite

Artichoke chicken and spinach lasagna enhances ordinary dinner expectations with its unexpected flavor profile.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, creating a harmonious culinary experience that defies traditional pasta conventions.

Creamy layers blend tender protein with vibrant greens, promising a meal that feels simultaneously sophisticated and comforting.

Soft cheese and hearty vegetables intertwine, generating complexity without overwhelming delicate palates.

Each forkful reveals nuanced textures that challenge standard lasagna formulas.

Lighter than classic versions, this dish brings excitement to familiar comfort food.

The combination promises a memorable dining adventure that will spark conversation around your table.

Why This Lasagna Is a Comfort Classic With a Twist

  • Savor Layered Flavor Explosion: Each bite delivers a perfect blend of tender chicken, creamy artichokes, and rich cheeses that dance together in a harmonious symphony of taste.
  • Craft Complex Textures in One Dish: The lasagna offers a delightful contrast between soft, melted cheese layers, tender chicken chunks, and slightly crisp spinach ribbons that keep every forkful interesting.
  • Transform Ordinary Weeknight Meal into Gourmet Experience: This recipe elevates home cooking by combining sophisticated ingredients like artichokes and fresh herbs with classic comfort food techniques, making dinner feel like a special restaurant-quality treat without requiring professional chef skills.

What You’ll Need for This Layered Spinach-Chicken Masterpiece

Main Protein and Dairy:
  • Chicken: Lean protein that forms the heart of the lasagna, choose boneless and skinless for easy preparation.
  • Ricotta Cheese: Creamy base for the filling, provides rich texture and smooth consistency.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Melty cheese that creates delicious stretchy layers, opt for fresh if possible.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds deep savory flavor, choose freshly grated for best taste.
  • Egg: Binds the cheese mixture together and helps create a stable filling.
Herb and Vegetable Components:
  • Artichokes: Tangy vegetable that adds unique flavor, select jarred or canned artichoke hearts.
  • Spinach: Nutrient-dense leafy green that provides color and earthy taste.
  • Onion: Aromatic base that builds foundational flavor for the dish.
  • Garlic: Provides intense savory depth, fresh cloves offer best flavor profile.
  • Parsley: Fresh herb that adds brightness and visual appeal to the mixture.
Sauce and Seasoning Components:
  • Olive Oil: Cooking fat that helps sauté ingredients smoothly.
  • Butter: Adds richness to the white sauce, unsalted preferred.
  • Flour: Thickening agent for creating smooth béchamel sauce.
  • Milk: Liquid base for creating creamy white sauce.
  • Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that provides traditional Mediterranean flavor.
  • Nutmeg: Subtle spice that enhances the white sauces complexity.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing overall taste.
  • Noodles: Pasta foundation for layering, can use fresh or dried lasagna sheets.

Smart Shortcuts & Tasty Tips for Perfect Layers

  • Master Chicken Browning: Ensure chicken pieces are dry before cooking to achieve perfect golden-brown color and develop deeper flavor profiles.
  • Prevent Watery Artichokes: Pat artichoke quarters thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, guaranteeing a more concentrated taste and better texture.
  • Create Silky Béchamel: Whisk continuously while making sauce to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency that coats layers evenly.
  • Layer Like a Pro: Start with thin sauce layer on bottom of dish to prevent noodles from sticking and ensure even cooking throughout lasagna.
  • Cheese Melting Technique: Allow Parmesan to melt slowly off direct heat, preserving its rich nutty flavor and preventing potential separation or graininess.

How to Store Leftovers Without Losing the Creamy Texture

  • Refrigerator Storage
  • Seal leftover lasagna in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain food safety. Store portions will stay fresh for 3-4 days when kept at proper cool temperatures.
  • Freezer Method
  • Wrap individual portions or entire lasagna in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months for best quality. Label container with date to track storage time accurately.
  • Reheating Technique
  • Thaw refrigerated lasagna in the fridge overnight before reheating. Warm individual servings in microwave for 2-3 minutes, covering with damp paper towel to prevent drying.

What to Serve Beside This Rich and Herbaceous Dish

  • Pair with Zesty White Wine: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the rich, creamy lasagna perfectly. Its bright acidity cuts through the cheesy layers and refreshes the palate with each bite.
  • Serve with Herb-Infused Side Salad: Create a light arugula salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette to balance the lasagna's heaviness. The peppery greens and tangy dressing will provide a wonderful contrast to the dish's creamy texture.
  • Match with Crusty Garlic Bread: Prepare a warm, crusty baguette brushed with garlic butter to soak up the delicious sauce. The bread's crispy exterior and soft interior will enhance the lasagna's complex flavors and provide a satisfying crunch.
  • Complete with Chilled Mediterranean Appetizer: Start with a refreshing Greek-style cucumber and tomato salad dressed in olive oil and herbs. This light starter will prime the taste buds and echo the Mediterranean influences in the chicken and artichoke lasagna.

Creative Ways to Rework the Classic Lasagna Lineup

  • Mediterranean Zest: Replace chicken with ground lamb and add roasted red peppers for a Greek-inspired flavor profile that brings vibrant Mediterranean tastes to the classic lasagna.
  • Seafood Fusion: Swap chicken for succulent lump crab meat or tender shrimp, incorporating fresh dill and lemon zest to create a lighter, coastal-inspired version of the original recipe.
  • Vegetarian Garden: Eliminate chicken entirely and substitute with roasted portobello mushrooms, adding extra grilled vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers for a hearty plant-based alternative that maintains rich, complex flavors.
  • Spicy Southwest Kick: Introduce diced green chiles, swap Italian seasoning for chili powder, and mix in pepper jack cheese to transform the lasagna into a boldly seasoned southwestern-style dish with a warming heat.

How to Assemble a Creamy, Savory Lasagna With Ease

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Base

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.

Add onion, garlic, chicken, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and cook while stirring until the chicken is fully done.

Step 2: Add Artichokes

Cut the artichokes into quarters and pat them dry with paper towels.

Add to the skillet and cook with the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes, then remove from heat and let it cool.

Step 3: Mix Cheese Filling

In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese, egg, and chopped parsley.

Mix everything until well blended.

Step 4: Prepare Spinach

Stack the spinach leaves and slice into thin strips using the chiffonade method.

Fold the spinach into the ricotta mixture until evenly combined.

Step 5: Create Creamy Sauce

In a heavy saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat and whisk in flour.

Stir often and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it turns lightly golden.

Step 6: Add Milk and Simmer

Slowly whisk in the milk, increase the heat slightly, and bring to a gentle simmer.

Cook for about 4 minutes, stirring regularly to prevent lumps.

Step 7: Finish Sauce

Lower the heat and blend in nutmeg, Parmesan cheese, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of pepper.

Stir until the cheese melts completely, then remove from heat.

Step 8: Prepare Noodles

If using dried pasta, cook the noodles according to the package instructions.

Drain and set aside.

Step 9: Preheat and Prep Baking Dish

Preheat oven to 375°F and generously butter a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish.

Set aside for layering.

Step 10: First Layer

Spread a thin layer of the creamy sauce on the bottom of the dish.

Arrange cooked noodles edge to edge to fully cover the surface.

Step 11: First Filling Layer

Spread half of the ricotta-spinach mixture evenly over the noodles.

Top with one-third of the chicken and artichoke mixture and pour one-third of the sauce over it.

Step 12: Create Second Layer

Add another layer of noodles and spread the remaining ricotta-spinach filling.

Add more chicken mixture and top with more of the sauce.

Step 13: Final Layer

Finish with a final layer of sauce and sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Make sure the entire surface is covered.

Step 14: Bake to Perfection

Bake uncovered for 45 to 50 minutes until bubbling in the center.

If the top begins to brown too quickly, tent with foil and continue baking until fully cooked.

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Artichoke Chicken And Spinach Lasagna Recipe

Artichoke Chicken And Spinach Lasagna Recipe


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4.8 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Mediterranean comfort meets culinary creativity in this artichoke chicken and spinach lasagna. Layers of tender chicken, creamy artichokes, and fresh spinach nestled between pasta sheets promise a hearty, delicious dining experience you’ll savor with every bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 1 pound boneless chicken breasts (cut into cubes)
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • ¼ cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

Vegetables and Herbs:

  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach leaves (stems removed)
  • ¼ cup diced onion
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 14-ounce cans or frozen artichoke hearts, well-drained
  • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
  • Dash of nutmeg

Liquids and Dry Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon italian seasoning
  • Coarse salt and fresh black pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat, sautéing onions and garlic until fragrant and translucent.
  2. Add chicken seasoned with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper, cooking thoroughly while stirring frequently.
  3. Quarter artichoke hearts and pat dry, then incorporate into the chicken mixture, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  4. In a mixing bowl, whisk ricotta cheese with 1½ cups mozzarella cheese, egg, and finely chopped parsley until well combined.
  5. Slice spinach leaves into delicate thin strips (chiffonade) and fold gently into the ricotta mixture.
  6. Create a roux by melting butter in a heavy saucepan, whisking in flour and cooking for 3-4 minutes until lightly golden.
  7. Gradually pour milk into the roux, increasing heat and simmering for approximately 4 minutes while stirring consistently.
  8. Reduce heat and blend in nutmeg, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheeses melt completely, then remove from heat.
  9. Prepare lasagna noodles according to package instructions if using dried pasta.
  10. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) and generously butter a 9 x 13 inch (23 x 33 centimeter) casserole dish.
  11. Spread a thin layer of sauce on the bottom of the dish, then layer noodles to cover completely.
  12. Distribute half the ricotta mixture evenly, followed by one-third of the chicken mixture and sauce.
  13. Repeat layering with another noodle layer, remaining ricotta, chicken, and sauce.
  14. For the final layer, top with remaining sauce and sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese.
  15. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until bubbling and golden brown. If the top browns too quickly, loosely tent with aluminum foil.
  16. Allow lasagna to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to help set and make cutting easier.

Notes

  • Carefully select fresh, high-quality artichokes to enhance the dish’s flavor profile and texture.
  • Chiffonade spinach technique ensures delicate, elegant leaf strips that blend seamlessly into the ricotta mixture.
  • Homemade béchamel sauce elevates the lasagna’s richness, creating a creamy foundation that binds ingredients together.
  • Layering technique matters: alternate ingredients strategically to distribute flavors and maintain structural integrity.
  • Oven temperature precision guarantees perfect melting of cheeses and thorough cooking of chicken without drying out.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 637 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 698 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 61 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 36 g
  • Cholesterol: 145 mg
Julian Park

Julian Park

Co-Founder, Cuisine Researcher & Food Culture Writer

Expertise

  • Global Food Cultures & Culinary History
  • Regional Flavor Profiles & Cooking Techniques
  • Food Anthropology & Cultural Identity
  • Culinary Research & Narrative Writing
  • Street Food Traditions & Heritage Dishes

Education

The Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), Los Angeles, CA

  • Degree: Certificate in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Professional culinary techniques, global cuisine fundamentals, and real-world training in restaurant-style cooking and food presentation.

Julian Park is a natural storyteller at The Dream Café who blends hands-on culinary experience with a passion for exploring global food traditions. A graduate of The Institute of Culinary Education in Los Angeles, Julian combines professional technique with a love for cultural discovery, diving into how dishes reflect heritage, migration, and identity. 

His work spans everything from in-depth cuisine guides to reflections on everyday meals around the world. With a curious palate and a journal always close by, Julian helps readers connect with food in a way that feels so insightful and personal.

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