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Pioneer Woman Skillet Chicken Lasagna

Pioneer Woman Skillet Chicken Lasagna - recipe card
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This one-skillet chicken lasagna layers tender no-boil noodles, a creamy ricotta-spinach mixture, and a rich tomato-meat sauce with perfectly cooked chicken. It’s a hearty, comforting dinner that delivers all the cozy flavors of classic lasagna with far less fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) ground chicken
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 (24 oz / 680g) jar marinara sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt, divided
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 8 no-boil lasagna noodles (about 8 oz / 227g)
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 4 oz / 113g)
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, drained spinach, Parmesan, egg, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper. Stir until smooth and set aside. The egg helps bind the mixture as it bakes.
  2. Heat olive oil in a 10-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Add the ground chicken and season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside. (The chicken will continue to cook in the sauce, so you only need to brown it.)
  3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour in the marinara sauce and water. Stir to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes to meld flavors. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Preheat your oven to 375°F / 190°C.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Spread a thin layer of sauce (about 1/2 cup) over the bottom of the skillet to prevent sticking. Place 4 no-boil lasagna noodles over the sauce, breaking them if needed to cover the surface.
  7. Spread half of the ricotta mixture evenly over the noodles. Top with half of the cooked chicken, then pour about 1/2 cup of sauce over the chicken, spreading it gently.
  8. Repeat the layers: 4 more noodles, the remaining ricotta mixture, the remaining chicken, and another 1/2 cup of sauce. Ensure the top noodles are adequately coated with sauce to ensure they soften during baking.
  9. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover the skillet with a lid or aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 minutes.
  10. Remove the cover and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden, and the noodles are tender. The lasagna should be lightly set around the edges. (If you prefer a cheesy top, you can broil for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely.)
  11. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set, making it easier to slice. Garnish with fresh basil and serve directly from the skillet.
  12. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, you can carefully transfer the layered lasagna to a 9×13 baking dish before baking. Alternatively, after adding all layers, cover and simmer on the stove over low heat for 20-25 minutes, until noodles are tender, then finish under the broiler.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To freeze, cool completely, wrap tightly in foil or a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Reheat individual portions in the microwave on high in 30-second bursts until hot through. For larger portions, reheat in a 350°F / 175°C oven covered with foil for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through.

Nutrition

Keywords: skillet lasagna, chicken lasagna, pioneer woman, one skillet, no-boil noodles, Italian-American, weeknight dinner, creamy ricotta, spinach, mozzarella, comfort food

Find it online: https://inspiredbypioneerwoman.com/pioneer-woman-skillet-chicken-lasagna-recipe/