ONE-PAN CHICKEN LASAGNE

One-Pan Chicken Lasagne: Your New Weeknight Hero!

Hey, kitchen besties! Harper here, waving my trusty wooden spoon from my sunlit corner where magic (and sometimes smoke alarms) happen. Ever crave that soul-warming hug of lasagne but dread the layer tango, pot orchestra, and sink tsunami? Same, friend. That’s why we’re ditching the drama today for my One-Pan Chicken Lasagne – the weeknight warrior that landed in my life during a “hangry meltdown meets empty fridge” emergency. Imagine: creamy, cheesy, pasta-perfect comfort bubbling away in ONE pan, filling your kitchen with “come get it!” aromas while you… oh, I don’t know… sip wine or finally fold that laundry mountain? This isn’t just dinner; it’s liberation with Parmesan on top. No fancy skills needed – just your favorite skillet, simple ingredients, and that gorgeous appetite of yours. Ready to turn chaos into cozy? Let’s sizzle!

The “Oops” That Started It All

Picture it: Portland, 2020. Rain hammering the windows, my dog howling for dinner, and me – frantically realizing I’d promised lasagne but forgotten ricotta AND had zero clean baking dishes. Defeat loomed. Then, my eyes landed on that lone chicken breast and half-box of lasagne sheets. “What if…,” I muttered, tossing diced chicken into my trusty skillet. Onions sizzled, cream glugged, broken noodles tumbled in like edible confetti. Twenty minutes later? A creamy, golden miracle emerged. My partner took one bite, eyes wide: “Wait… this is BETTER than layered?” The dog got extra scraps. That happy accident became our Thursday night ritual – proof that sometimes the best recipes are born from beautiful messes. Now, it’s my gift to your busy, beautiful life. No perfection required!

Gather Your Flavor Squad

Here’s your no-fuss shopping list (serves 4 hungry souls!). Pro tip: Flexibility is key – I’ll share swaps so this works with YOUR pantry:

• 250g Lasagne Sheets, Broken: No pre-cook needed! Break them like you’re snapping spaghetti for quicker cooking. Swap: Use any short pasta – penne works great!
• 400g Chicken Breast, Diced: Tossed with 1 tsp paprika + 1 tsp garlic salt. Chef’s Whisper: This quick brine keeps it juicy! Swap: Leftover rotisserie chicken? Shred 2 cups!
• 1 Onion, Diced: The sweet, savory base. Swap: 1 cup frozen diced onions in a pinch!
• 200ml Low-Fat Cream: Creates luxe silkiness without heaviness. Chef’s Hack: Full-fat works, or mix half milk/half cream!
• 300ml Chicken Stock: Flavor booster! Swap: Veggie broth keeps it light.
• 80g Cheddar, Grated: Melty, cozy goodness. Swap: Mozzarella, Gouda, or a Mexican blend for fun!
• 20g Parmesan, Grated: Salty, umami kick. Non-dairy? Nutritional yeast adds cheesy vibes.
• Fresh Parsley, Chopped: That bright, confetti-like finish! Swap: Basil or chives.

Why low-fat cream? It simmers without splitting – a lesson learned after a slightly graasy “experiment”! Total prep: 10 mins.

Let’s Build Flavor, One Sizzle at a Time!

Grab your largest, deepest skillet (12-inch is perfect!). This is your one-pan stage:

1. Sizzle the Base: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium. Add diced onion and cook 4-5 mins until translucent and sweet, stirring like you’re painting the pan. Harper’s Tip: Sprinkle a pinch of salt here – it draws out moisture for faster caramelization!
2. Chicken Charm: Push onions aside. Add seasoned chicken. Cook 5-6 mins until golden but not cooked through – it’ll finish simmering! Hack: Don’t overcrowd! Cook in batches if needed for perfect browning.
3. Liquid Love: Pour in chicken stock and cream. Scrape up any flavorful bits stuck to the pan – that’s GOLD! Bring to a gentle bubble (not a rolling boil).
4. Pasta Party: Break lasagne sheets into rough quarters (they’ll look like abstract art!). Submerge them into the creamy broth, stirring gently. Key Move: Ensure pasta is mostly covered by liquid! Add 2 tbsp water if needed.
5. Simmer & Soften: Reduce heat to low. Cover (use foil if no lid!) and simmer 12 mins. Uncover, stir gently. Cook another 5-8 mins UNCOVERED until pasta is al dente and sauce thickens to coat the back of your spoon. Watchdog Duty: Stir occasionally to prevent sticking! Sauce thickens as it cools.
6. Cheese Hug: Remove from heat! Sprinkle cheddar and Parmesan over the top. Let it melt dreamily for 1 min, THEN stir gently – this creates creamy ribbons, not glue! Pro Move: Reserve some cheese for garnish if you’re fancy!
7. Garnish & Glory: Scatter fresh parsley over the top. Final Touch: A crack of black pepper and maybe a drizzle of good olive oil? Yes, chef!

Total cook time: 25 mins. Your house now smells like an Italian nonna’s hug!

Dishing Up the Cozy

This beauty is meant to be served straight from the skillet – rustic charm FTW! Scoop generous portions into shallow bowls. Pair with:

• A simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette (cuts the richness!)
• Garlic bread soldiers for saucy dunking
• Sparkling water with lemon or a light Pinot Grigio

Presentation Hack: Wipe the skillet rim clean before serving. Extra parsley confetti makes it Instagram-ready!

Make It Uniquely Yours!

Play with your food! Here are my fave twists:

• Veggie Loaded: Sauté 1 cup sliced mushrooms or spinach with the onions!
• Spicy Arrabbiata: Add 1 tsp chili flakes + 2 tbsp tomato paste with the cream.
• Seafood Swap: Use cooked shrimp or flaked salmon instead of chicken.
• Gluten-Free: Swap GF lasagne sheets (break them small!) and check stock labels.
• Ultra Creamy: Stir in 1/4 cup ricotta or mascarpone with the cheese.

Harper’s Rule: Taste before serving – adjust salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon!

Harper’s Hindsight & Heart

This recipe’s my kitchen lifeline! Over time, I learned:

• Pasta Power: Breaking noodles prevents clumping – embrace the chaos!
• Cheese Science: Adding cheese OFF heat prevents rubberiness. Thank you, food science TikTok!
• The “Fridge Cleanout” Version: Once used wilted kale, leftover roasted peppers, and feta. Called it “Confetti Lasagne” – kids devoured it!

True story: I once mistook cayenne for paprika. Let’s just say… we had ice cream for dinner that night. Progress, not perfection, besties!

Your Lasagne Lifelines

Q: My sauce is too thin! Help?
A: Uncover and simmer 3-5 mins longer. If desperate, mix 1 tsp cornstarch with 1 tbsp cold water, stir in, and simmer 1 min.

Q: Can I double this?
A: Absolutely! Use a Dutch oven. Increase simmer time by 5-8 mins and stir more frequently.

Q: Pasta stuck to the pan. Sadness.
A: Next time: Ensure enough liquid, lower heat, stir gently but more often. Rescue mission: Add 2-3 tbsp hot water, scrape gently, and cover briefly.

Q: Make-ahead magic?
A: Cook pasta slightly al dente. Cool, cover, fridge up to 2 days. Reheat on low with a splash of broth or milk!

ONE-PAN CHICKEN LASAGNE

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• Author: Harper Callahan
• Total Time: 35 mins

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Description

Ever promised lasagne only to face an empty fridge and zero clean dishes? Same here. That’s how this creamy, dreamy One-Pan Chicken Lasagne was born—from a moment of panic, a lonely chicken breast, and a dash of stubbornness. What emerged was a skillet full of love: tender chicken, silky sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta with golden cheesy bliss—all in one pan. It’s now our Thursday tradition and might just become yours too. Because delicious doesn’t need to be complicated. It just needs heart (and maybe a little Parmesan).

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 250g Lasagne Sheets, broken into pieces

• 400g Chicken Breast, diced

• 1 tsp Paprika + 1 tsp Garlic Salt (for chicken)

• 1 Onion, diced

• 200ml Low-Fat Cream

• 300ml Chicken Stock

• 80g Cheddar Cheese, grated

• 20g Parmesan, grated

• Fresh Parsley, chopped

• 1 tbsp Olive Oil

• Salt & Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté Onion: In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Cook diced onion with a pinch of salt for 4-5 mins until soft.

2. Add Chicken: Push onions aside, add seasoned chicken. Cook 5-6 mins until lightly browned.

3. Add Liquids: Pour in cream and stock. Stir, scraping any browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer.

4. Add Pasta: Break lasagne sheets and stir into liquid. Ensure mostly submerged.

5. Simmer Covered: Cover and cook on low heat for 12 mins. Stir. Simmer uncovered another 5-8 mins until pasta is tender and sauce thickens.

6. Add Cheese: Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar and Parmesan.

7. Garnish: Top with parsley, cracked pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.

Notes

• Low-fat cream = no splitting.

• Stir gently once pasta softens to avoid breaking it.

• Leftover roast chicken works too—just reduce simmer time!

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Nutrition

• Calories: 520 kcal per serving
• Fat: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Protein: 36g

Nutritional Nibbles (Per Serving)

Approx: Calories: 485kcal | Carbs: 35g | Fat: 22g | Protein: 36g
Note: Using low-fat cream & measured cheese keeps it balanced! Add a salad for veggie power.