Chicken Parmesan Lasagna Skillet Recipe
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If you’ve been craving comfort food with a deliciously delightful twist, this Chicken Parmesan Lasagna Skillet Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine all the luscious layers of classic lasagna—rich marinara, tender chicken, creamy ricotta, and melty mozzarella—coming together in one skillet for a faster, fuss-free meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor or warmth. It’s like your favorite Italian restaurant dish, but homemade and ready in just about 35 minutes, promising a cozy dinner that always feels special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Chicken Parmesan Lasagna Skillet Recipe are straightforward but essential, each bringing its own magic to create the perfect harmony of taste, texture, and vibrant color. From tender chicken to fresh herbs, every component plays a star role in making this dish simply unforgettable.
- Olive oil: Adds a fruity, smooth base for cooking the chicken and garlic, enhancing the overall flavor.
- Ground chicken or cooked shredded chicken: The lean protein backbone that keeps the dish hearty yet light.
- Garlic (minced): Infuses a fragrant, savory punch that elevates the taste instantly.
- Salt: Balances and enhances all the flavors perfectly.
- Black pepper: Gives a subtle, warm bite to the mix.
- Italian seasoning: A classic blend bringing Mediterranean herbs that embody the essence of Italian cooking.
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional): A hint of heat for those who love a little spark in their meals.
- Marinara sauce (24 oz jar): Rich, tangy tomato goodness that adds moisture and depth to the dish.
- Water or chicken broth: Keeps the noodles cooking perfectly tender while layering in taste.
- Uncooked lasagna noodles (broken into pieces): The carb delight that soaks up every bit of sauce and flavor.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a salty, nutty dimension and melts beautifully into the sauce.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Creamy, gooey, and absolutely essential for that irresistible melted topping.
- Ricotta cheese: Offers a velvety richness that balances the tangy marinara and sharp Parmesan.
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish: Bright, fresh herbs that finish the dish with a pop of color and herbal aroma.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Lasagna Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Sauté the Chicken and Aromatics
Start by heating olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add your ground chicken along with minced garlic, salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Cook this mixture until the chicken is nicely browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. If you’re using cooked shredded chicken, simply warm it with the garlic and seasoning for a few minutes until fragrant and heated.
Step 2: Add Sauce and Noodles
Stir in the marinara sauce and your choice of water or chicken broth, ensuring the sauce is well combined and simmering gently. Now add the broken lasagna noodles, pressing them down into the sauce so they’re as submerged as possible. This is crucial for the noodles to cook evenly and absorb all that delicious tomato flavor.
Step 3: Cook and Simmer
Cover your skillet and let everything simmer for about 15 to 18 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want the noodles tender and infused with the savory sauce. Don’t rush this step, as it’s where the noodles soften and the flavors meld beautifully together.
Step 4: Cheese it Up
Once the noodles are tender, sprinkle in the grated Parmesan cheese throughout the skillet, and then carefully dollop ricotta cheese over the top. Finally, scatter shredded mozzarella evenly across the surface. Cover again and let the cheese melt into a bubbling, golden layer for 2 to 3 minutes.
Step 5: Optional Broiler Finish
For an extra special touch, place the skillet under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes after adding the mozzarella. This step creates a slightly crispy, golden cheese crust that adds wonderful texture and a restaurant-quality finish to your Chicken Parmesan Lasagna Skillet Recipe.
How to Serve Chicken Parmesan Lasagna Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil or parsley sprinkled on top is more than just decoration — it adds a lovely herbal aroma and vibrant green color that brightens every forkful. The fresh herbs provide a perfect counterpoint to the rich cheeses and tomato sauce, giving your dish a fresh finish.
Side Dishes
This skillet meal pairs beautifully with a simple green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette or some roasted vegetables for contrast. Garlic bread or warm crusty Italian bread also make wonderful companions, perfect for soaking up every last bit of that flavorful sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun family-style dinner, serve your Chicken Parmesan Lasagna Skillet directly from the pan so everyone can help themselves straight away. You can also dish it out into individual ramekins topped with extra cheese and herbs, making it feel like a cozy, personal treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Chicken Parmesan Lasagna Skillet Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 3 days, and the flavors only deepen as it rests.
Freezing
If you want to freeze portions, transfer cooled leftovers into freezer-safe containers or bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Make sure to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating for best results.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers covered in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to refresh the sauce and prevent drying out. For that melty cheese effect, you can quickly broil leftovers for a couple of minutes after reheating.
FAQs
Can I use pre-cooked chicken for the Chicken Parmesan Lasagna Skillet Recipe?
Absolutely! Using cooked shredded chicken saves time and works perfectly. Just warm it in the skillet with garlic and seasonings before adding the sauce and noodles.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, simply substitute the traditional lasagna noodles with gluten-free pasta noodles broken into pieces. The cooking method and flavors remain the same.
How spicy is this recipe if I include red pepper flakes?
The crushed red pepper flakes add a mild warmth that nicely complements the savory sauce. You can adjust the amount according to your heat preference or skip them for a milder dish.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
While it’s best served fresh, you can prepare the chicken and sauce mixture ahead and assemble just before cooking. Store the noodles separately to prevent sogginess before cooking.
What can I substitute for ricotta cheese if I don’t have any?
You can use cottage cheese blended until smooth or even mascarpone for a richer alternative. However, ricotta gives that classic creamy texture that balances the dish perfectly.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Parmesan Lasagna Skillet Recipe is truly a game changer when you want all the comfort and joy of lasagna without the fuss of layering and baking in the oven. It’s quick, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying—a perfect weeknight dinner that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Trust me, once you try it, it’ll become one of your go-to recipes too!
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Chicken Parmesan Lasagna Skillet Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Chicken Parmesan Lasagna Skillet is a quick and delicious one-pan meal combining ground chicken, savory marinara, and layers of cheese with broken lasagna noodles. It offers all the comforting flavors of classic lasagna with less fuss and cleanup, perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground chicken or cooked shredded chicken
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup water or chicken broth
Lasagna & Cheese
- 8 uncooked lasagna noodles, broken into pieces
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
Garnish
- Fresh basil or parsley
Instructions
- Heat and Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add ground chicken, minced garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. If using pre-cooked shredded chicken, warm it with garlic and seasonings for 2–3 minutes instead.
- Add Sauce and Noodles: Stir in the marinara sauce and water or chicken broth. Add the broken lasagna noodles to the skillet, pressing them down into the sauce to submerge as much as possible.
- Simmer and Cook Noodles: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the skillet and cook for 15–18 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the noodles are tender.
- Add Cheeses: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, then dollop the ricotta cheese over the top of the noodles and sauce. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over everything.
- Melt Cheese: Cover the skillet again and cook for 2–3 minutes until the mozzarella has melted. Optionally, place the skillet under a broiler for 2–3 minutes to get a crispy top.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, place the skillet under the broiler for 2–3 minutes after adding the mozzarella cheese.
- This recipe is a quick shortcut version of classic lasagna with less prep and cleanup.
- To make gluten-free, substitute lasagna noodles with gluten-free pasta.
- Use low-sodium marinara and broth options to control salt content.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
