Chicken Parmesan Lasagna

 To make this, you'll need a very deep baking dish! Such an extra-deep lasagna does have 5 layers of noodles and two layers of breaded chicken cutlets in between every layer of juicy, cheesy deliciousness! The addition of chicken breast adds a delicious flavor.

 

Ingredients

For the chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise to make 8

3/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 large eggs, beaten

olive oil spray

 

For the lasagna:

15 ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese

1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup fresh chopped basil, plus more for garnish

4 3/4 cups homemade or jarred marinara sauce

9 ounce box no-boil lasagna noodles

3 cups baby spinach

3 cups part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese

 

Set the oven temperature to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a mixing bowl, combine breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese. In a separate bowl, beat the egg.

Slide the chicken in the eggs, followed by the breadcrumb mixture. Remove any remaining crumbs. Place the chicken on the already-prepared baking sheet, lightly coat with oil, and cook for 25 minutes, without turning. Take the oven out and lower the temperature to 400F.

In the meantime, in a medium mixing bowl, integrate the ricotta, parmesan cheese, and basil.

Pour 3/4 cup marinara into the bottom of a 9 x 13 x 3-inch Heatproof Deep baking dish. Assemble 3 lasagna noodles across the dish then top with 3/4 cup sauce, 4 chicken pieces, 1/4 ricotta cheese mixture, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, and 3/4 cup spinach.

Rep the second layer, omitting the chicken.

Replicate the third and fourth layers with the chicken and without the chicken.

 

Scatter the remaining 1 1/2 cups marinara sauce on top of the last three sheets of pasta noodles for the fifth layer. Wrap in foil and cook for 50 minutes on the center rack of a 400°F preheated oven.

Uncover, add the remaining cup of mozzarella, and bake for 5 minutes, or until melted.

Take the oven out and allow to rest for 15 minutes prior to serving.