Creamy Chicken Lasagna with White Sauce (Air Fryer Version)
Intro
This white sauce chicken lasagna is ultra-creamy, loaded with juicy shredded chicken, gooey mozzarella, and a silky homemade garlic-parmesan white sauce. The air fryer version is small-batch friendly, faster than traditional oven baking, and ideal for 1–2 people (or more if you make multiple batches!).
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Assembly Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time (Air Fryer): 20–25 minutes at 350°F (175°C)
Total Time: ~50 minutes
Ingredients (Makes 2–3 servings in a 6–7″ dish)
For the Lasagna:
4–5 no-boil lasagna noodles (or boil 5 regular ones)
1 ½ cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional: ½ cup baby spinach or chopped mushrooms (pre-sautéed)
For the White Sauce (Béchamel):
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups milk (whole or 2%)
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
Pinch of nutmeg (optional but traditional)
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Make the White Sauce
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
Whisk in the flour and cook for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
Gradually add milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
Cook for 4–5 minutes until thickened. Stir in salt, pepper, nutmeg (if using), and parmesan cheese.
Remove from heat and set aside.
Layer the Lasagna
Use a small, air fryer-safe baking dish or cake pan (6–7 inches):
Layer 1: A spoonful of white sauce on the bottom.
Add a noodle layer (break to fit if needed).
Top with chicken, a few spinach/mushrooms (optional), white sauce, and mozzarella.
Repeat layers (noodles → chicken → sauce → cheese), finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.
Air Fry
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes.
Cover the lasagna with foil and place it in the basket.
Cook for 20 minutes covered, then remove foil and cook another 5 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Let it rest for 5–10 minutes before serving so it sets properly.
Tips & Tricks
No-boil noodles? Use enough sauce to keep them hydrated, or soak them briefly in warm water before layering.
Use leftover roast chicken to save time.
Add flavor boosts: a little pesto, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes.
Double the sauce if you love it extra creamy or want to prep two batches.
Want more veggies? Add layers of cooked zucchini, spinach, or sautéed mushrooms.