Crock-Pot Chicken Lasagna: Easy, Cheesy, Delicious!

how to cook chicken lasagna in a crock pot

Chicken lasagna is a delicious meal that can be made in a crockpot with minimal prep and just a few simple ingredients. This one-pot wonder is a creamy, tasty dish that's sure to be a family favourite. With a slow cooker, you can simply assemble your layers and let it cook hands-off all day. This recipe is perfect for a lazy day, and any leftovers can be frozen for a quick and easy meal another time.

Characteristics Values
Number of Ingredients 6 or 12
Cook Time 4 hours 15 minutes or 4-6 hours
Serves 8
Calories 414
Carbohydrates 45.27g
Protein 29.22g
Fat 12.42g
Saturated Fat 6.35g
Cholesterol 67.08mg
Sodium 355.31mg
Potassium 501.67mg
Fiber 2.17g
Sugar 2.46g
Vitamin A 1865.39IU
Vitamin C 1.39mg
Calcium 194.5mg
Iron 1.55mg

cycookery

Preparing the ingredients

To prepare the ingredients for chicken lasagna in a crock pot, you'll first want to gather all your ingredients. This includes chicken, broth, spinach, cream cheese, lasagna noodles, and cheese of your choice. You can also add extra vegetables to the sauce, such as onions, sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, eggplant, or zucchini.

For the chicken, use shredded or rotisserie chicken, and chop the spinach coarsely. You can use a variety of cheeses, such as mozzarella, parmesan, cottage cheese, or ricotta. If you're using ricotta, you can add eggs to the mixture. For the noodles, use oven-ready or regular lasagna noodles. There is no need to boil the noodles first; simply add them to the crockpot dry and uncooked.

If you want to add extra flavor to your sauce, you can use a jarred marinara sauce or make your own by cooking Italian sausage, ground beef, or ground turkey in a skillet with onions, garlic, salt, and pepper. Then, add two cans of tomato sauce or a jar of pasta sauce to the skillet and stir.

Once you have all your ingredients prepared, you can start assembling your crockpot lasagna!

cycookery

Cooking the chicken

To cook chicken lasagna in a crock pot, you'll first want to prepare your chicken. You can use 3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken, or you can cook and shred your own chicken breasts.

If you're cooking your own chicken breasts, you can do so by placing them in a crock pot with chicken broth, spinach, and cream cheese. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours, or until the chicken shreds easily. Once the chicken is cooked, shred it using two forks and stir it to incorporate the cream cheese into the sauce.

Alternatively, you can cook the chicken separately before adding it to the crock pot with the other lasagna ingredients. This can be done by baking, boiling, or frying the chicken breasts until they are cooked through, and then shredding them.

Once your chicken is cooked and shredded, you can move on to assembling and cooking your lasagna.

cycookery

Layering the crock pot

To layer your crock pot, start by spreading one cup of meat sauce in the bottom of the slow cooker. You can make this meat sauce by cooking Italian sausage, ground beef, or ground turkey in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain the excess grease, then add pasta sauce, tomato sauce, and any desired seasonings to the skillet.

Next, add a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles on top of the sauce. You may need to break the noodles into pieces to make them fit. It is important to note that you should not boil the noodles first; simply add them to the slow cooker dry and hard.

After the first layer of noodles, spread a layer of cheese. For a traditional lasagna, use a mixture of ricotta cheese, eggs, and parsley, seasoned with salt and black pepper. For a white chicken lasagna, use a mixture of cream cheese, chicken broth, and spinach.

Top the cheese layer with more meat sauce and a sprinkle of mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Repeat these layers two more times, ending with a layer of sauce and cheese.

For a white chicken lasagna, you can simply top the final layer of sauce and cheese with broken lasagna noodles, then press to submerge them in the liquid.

Calphalon Pans: Stack and Bake

You may want to see also

cycookery

Cooking the lasagna

To cook chicken lasagna in a crock pot, you'll first want to gather and prepare your ingredients. You'll need chicken, broth, spinach, cream cheese, lasagna noodles, and cheese of your choice. You can also add in garlic, onion, and other vegetables or seasonings of your choice.

Start by adding chicken, broth, spinach, and cream cheese to your crockpot. Cover and cook on low for about 3 hours, or until the chicken is easily shreddable. Shred the chicken and stir well to incorporate the cream cheese into the sauce.

Next, stir in broken lasagna noodles. You do not need to boil the noodles first; simply add them to the crockpot dry and hard. You may need to break them into pieces to make them fit. Cover and turn the crockpot to high. Cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring to submerge the noodles in the liquid.

Now, add a layer of cheese. Cover and cook on high for about 15 minutes or until the noodles are al dente. If you want to thicken the sauce, you can add a small amount of cornstarch combined with water.

Finally, turn off the crockpot and let the lasagna rest for about 10-15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

cycookery

Serving and storing

When serving, be aware that crock pots can make neatness difficult to achieve when plating. However, this is a small trade-off for the convenience and flavour of slow-cooked lasagna. Use a large spoon or spatula to serve the lasagna, ensuring you get a good mix of ingredients with each portion.

If you have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This ensures the food stays fresh and safe to eat. You can also freeze leftovers for up to three months. To do this, let the lasagna cool completely, then place it in a freezer-safe container, wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn.

When reheating, ensure the lasagna is thoroughly defrosted and heated all the way through. You can reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat larger amounts in the oven.

Frequently asked questions

You will need chicken, broth, spinach, cream cheese, lasagna noodles, and cheese. You can also add garlic, basil, salt, and pepper.

No, you do not need to cook the lasagna noodles first. Add them to the slow cooker dry and hard.

It takes around 4 hours to cook chicken lasagna in a crock pot on low heat. However, this may vary depending on the specific recipe and crock pot used.

Yes, crock pot chicken lasagna can be frozen for up to three months. Ensure that it is cooled completely before placing it in a freezer-safe container and wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment