Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with chicken and veggies – no layering required!
One day not long ago I had a craving for something super creamy, comforting and veg-forward. I checked the freezer but it looked pretty bare, so I thought that I’d try making a white lasagne! A “white” lasagne is one that is made without the customary tomato in the sauce. Instead, it’s all creamy, cheesy deliciousness! I love this recipe so much that I included it in my new cookbook Simple Dinners Every Day.

In this lasagne, chicken breast is cooked until golden and tender. It’s then shredded and simmered with Italian herbs and broccoli in a creamy, cheesy, garlicky sauce flavoured with leek and chicken stock. Fresh lasagne sheets are cut, then tossed into the pan to cook directly in the sauce, before the entire dish is covered with mozzarella and finished under the oven grill (broiler).
Since then, I’ve made this recipe too many times to count and it’s firmly planted itself in my regular meal plan rotation. It’s one of those meals that looks amazing, yet you don’t realise just how insanely good it is until you make and taste it for yourself! I like to serve One-pan Chicken and Broccoli Lasagne with a simple leafy salad with balsamic dressing and maybe some cheesy garlic bread. The dish is also very customisable – try adding bacon or pancetta, or more veggies (see my suggestions below). You can easily create a completely vegetarian version, too. Leftovers keep for up to 3 days in the fridge, and the dish is freezer-friendly!

What should I serve with this One-pan Chicken and Broccoli Lasagne?
This dish is a meal in itself, but if you want to go the extra mile, serve it with a simple green salad or some roasted veggies, such as zucchini (courgette), pumpkin or cherry tomatoes, to balance out the creaminess. And don’t forget the garlic bread – you can never have too much bread when there’s a gorgeous sauce involved!

Can I make this vegetarian?
Absolutely! Swap the chicken for mushrooms, zucchini (courgette) or even canned cannellini beans. Add extra broccoli or baby spinach to pack in more veggies.
What other additions can I toss into this lasagne?
Feeling fancy? Add crispy pancetta, crumbled bacon (my daughter’s request for the next time I make this!), or shredded roast or barbecued chicken, if you’ve got leftovers. For an extra veggie hit, stir through some baby spinach, kale or frozen peas just before serving. If you’re feeling indulgent, adding a dollop of ricotta or mascarpone on top before grilling (broiling) is a game-changer.

What pasta can I use if I don’t have lasagne sheets?
Any short pasta like rigatoni, penne or even gnocchi will work! Just cook it halfway through before adding it to the sauce to finish cooking in the pan.

Watch how to make One-pan Chicken and Broccoli Lasagne
If you enjoyed One-pan Chicken and Broccoli Lasagne, I think you’ll love:
One-pot Lasagne Recipe
Spinach and Cheese Pasta Bake Recipe
Chicken and Sun-dried Tomato Pasta Bake Recipe
Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe
One-pan Gnocchi Bolognese Recipe

One-pan Chicken and Broccoli Lasagne
“I’ve made this four times now and each time it’s so good I can’t wait to make it again!” Share PrintIngredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 300 g (10½ oz) boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced horizontally into thinner steaks
- ½ tsp sea salt flakes
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 60 ml (¼ cup) water
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small brown onion, diced
- 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
- 1 leek, white part only, finely sliced
- 30 g (¼ cup) plain (all-purpose) flour
- 625 ml (2½ cups) chicken stock
- 375 ml (1½ cups) thickened (whipping/heavy) cream
- 1 tbsp Italian mixed herbs (Italian seasoning) – can be substituted with dried oregano or thyme
- 90 g (3¼ oz) broccoli florets, roughly chopped into 1 cm (½ inch) pieces
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes (see note 1)
- ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 250 g (9 oz) fresh lasagne sheets, cut into 10 cm (4 inch) squares (see note 2 if you want to use dried lasagne)
- 50 g (½ cup) freshly grated parmesan
- 150 g (1 cup) freshly grated mozzarella
- Fresh oregano or basil leaves, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven grill (broiler) to high.
- Cook the chicken – Heat the olive oil in a large, deep, heavy-based pan over medium heat. Sprinkle the chicken with the salt and pepper on both sides and cook for 5–6 minutes, or until the chicken is just cooked, turning once halfway through. Remove and set aside on a plate to rest. Once cool enough to handle, shred the chicken using two forks.
- Make the sauce – Use the 60 ml (¼ cup) of water to deglaze the pan if needed, to scrape up any sticky bits. Keeping the pan over medium heat with any pan juices, add the butter, onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, for 1–2 minutes.
- Add the leek and cook, stirring, for 3–4 minutes or until softened.
- Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute until well incorporated.
- Pour in the chicken stock and stir until combined.
- Add the thickened cream, Italian mixed herbs, broccoli, salt (see note 1) and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Add lasagne sheets – Using tongs, add the cut lasagne squares, ensuring they are completely submerged in the sauce and as evenly distributed as possible.
- Cook the lasagne – Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 6–7 minutes, allowing the lasagne sheets to soften.
- Remove the lid and continue to simmer, uncovered, for 4–6 minutes until the lasagne sheets are almost cooked through and the liquid has reduced into a thick sauce.
- Stir often using tongs to ensure the pasta remains separate and to prevent it sticking to the bottom of the pan. The sheets may break apart a little bit, which is fine. If there appears to be a lot of residual liquid in the pan, see note 3.
- Add the chicken and cheese – Add the chicken and parmesan to the pan. Stir them through carefully to avoid the pasta breaking too much. Remove from the heat and sprinkle over the mozzarella cheese.
- Grill (broil) the top – Place the pan into the oven under the grill and cook for 3–5 minutes until golden brown on top.
- Serve – Allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving (the longer it sits, the more the sauce will absorb into the pasta sheets). Serve with fresh oregano or basil leaves, if using.
Nutrition information
Disclaimer re gluten-free and dairy-free recipes



















Dianne says:
Made this for a regular Wednesday night family dinner, absolutely delicious, big hit with everyone.
Easy to follow recipe, will definitely feature again
Nicole says:
Wonderful to hear, Dianne! Thanks for the rating too. 🧡 Nic x
Jackie Leighton says:
This was DIVINE. I cheated and used a cooked chicken from the supermarket. Added some frozen corn along with the chicken. Thought we might get some leftovers but kids got up for third helpings, will be adding this to my list of favourites!
Nicole says:
Hi Jackie, so thrilled you enjoyed this! There’s no shame in a shortcut and it was clever of you to use the cooked chicken. 👏🏻 So great that the kids had three helpings! 🙌🏻 🧡 Nic x
Mandy says:
This is my type of food! I’ve made it three times now and I’m obsessed. To reduce calories a little I don’t use any oil or butter and use light thickened cream. It still tastes divine. And I love that it freezes so well.
Nicole says:
Thrilled to read this, Mandy! 🙌🏻 Love the sound of your calorie-reducing tips … so great that the lasagne was still delicious. Thanks also for the rating. 🧡 Nic x
Haley says:
Excited to make this! I’m going to be experimenting with gluten free lasagna sheets.
In place of heavy whipping cream, would coconut cream work? I know the taste would be different but would the texture/thickness be similar you think?
Nicole says:
Hi Haley, how exciting! 😊 Gluten-free sheets should work well – just keep an eye on the liquid as some brands absorb a bit more than others. Yes, coconut cream will give you a very similar thickness and texture to regular cream, so it should work well in that sense. Hope you love it! Nic x
Belinda says:
Just tried this tonight and oh my goodness it was soo good!! My picky 19 month old loved it too and asked for more which was just amazing! Thank you for such fabulous recipes!
Nicole says:
So wonderful to hear this, Belinda! 🙌🏻 Thrilled that your little eater also approved. 🥰 Thanks also for your lovely comments on the recipes and the rating. 🧡 Nic x
Brea says:
Wow…. Another delicious dish. Very easy to make and the whole family have licked their plates clean.
Nicole says:
Love to hear this, Brea! Nic x
Nicole says:
Easy to make and absolutely delicious.
Nicole says:
Wonderful to hear, Nicole! 🧡 Nic x
Michelle says:
Can I make this without cream somehow?
Nicole says:
Hi Michelle, evaporated milk works beautifully as a lighter, non-cream option. You can also use oat or soy cooking cream if you prefer dairy-free. 🧡 Nic x
Julianne Clune says:
This was delicious!
Even though I didn’t add any of the cheeses. Decided it was tasty enough. I would halve cream, oil and butter next time to make it a bit healthier. Maybe add more broccoli and less pasta. Saying all that, we licked our plates clean. Love your recipes.
Nicole says:
Hi Julianne, thanks for the feedback! Glad you enjoyed it! 🧡 Nic x
Anne says:
Delicious
First time I made it I felt it was a bit ‘fuss’ it I think I wasn’t prepared for each step.
My husband isn’t a Chicken fan but said how nice it was on both occasions we’ve had it
I added Mushrooms and it made enough for 2 serves to be frozen and it was still delicious second time around
Nicole says:
Hi Anne, I’m so glad that this one worked out for you after some experimentation. Thanks for the rating too. ❤️ Nic x
Carolynne says:
My whole family devoured this! Including my picky 3yr old. I can’t eat cream so I swapped it out for a lasagne white sauce and it worked really well.
Nicole says:
Hi Carolynne, so glad you made this work for you with the white sauce and that it was a hit, even with your little eater! 🥰 Thanks for the rating too, ❤️ Nic x
Natasha says:
Hi, can this be made 2 days ahead? Thanks 🙂
Nicole says:
Hi Natasha, you can make this and it will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. ❤️ Nic x
Natasha says:
Thank you 😊