On Saturday mornings, I wake up early (thanks to my sweet 9-month-old alarm clock), turn on Pioneer Woman, and menu plan for the week. I always get great ideas from Ree’s show, and last week, she was making skillet chicken lasagna. It looked delicious! I have been utilizing my crock-pot a lot lately, since it is cold and I am a bit stretched on time, so I decided to make something kind of similar. What I came up with was clean eating chicken lasagna in a crock-pot!
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Clean Eating Chicken Lasagna in a Crock-Pot
I wanted to use fresh ingredients, to remind me of the tastes of summer, since I have been cooped up inside. I cooked chicken breasts with fresh sliced tomatoes, onion, and plenty of garlic. Once the chicken was cooked, I shredded it in the crock-pot. The tomatoes released juices, and I added a touch of cream along with whole grain penne, and allowed that to cook for about 30 minutes, to soften the pasta. Once it was almost done, I tossed in some ricotta, freshly grated mozzarella and Parmesan, and chopped fresh basil.
And yes, I realize that this clean eating chicken lasagna does not technically have any lasagna in it, but I feel like the flavors are similar enough that you’ll excuse my label. 🙂
This is a dinner that screams sunshine and warmth. The combination of cheeses reminds me of a hearty lasagna, but the tomato and cream sauce lightens it up. The fresh basil is my favorite part. If you have been ready for winter to be over, you need some fresh basil in your life. It’ll help. I promise.
With the creamy trio of cheeses, even picky kids will love this dish. I am doing baby-led weaning with my baby, and he loved this!
When you plate up this clean eating chicken lasagna, shred a little Parmesan on top, and garnish with a fresh basil leaf.
Clean Eating Chicken Lasagna in a Crock-Pot
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 4 ripe tomatoes diced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup uncooked whole grain penne
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese cut into small cubes
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan
- 8 basil leaves cut into thin strips
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Add chicken, onion, garlic and tomatoes to a crock-pot. Cook on low for 4 hours, or until chicken is cooked through. Add in heavy cream and penne, turn up to high, and cook 30 minutes, or until pasta is al dente. Add remaining ingredients, stir well, and cook an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Watch how to Make Clean Eating Chicken Lasagna
Want a step-by-step guide on how to make chicken lasagna? Here is a video that shows you how!
Have you ever made chicken lasagna before? What are your favorite clean eating meals to make in a crock-pot? Share in the comments below!
Is there an Instant Pot version of this?
Hi Laurie,
I haven’t tried this recipe in the Instant Pot yet, but I’ll try it and let you know how it turns out!
My crock pot settings are 4 hours high, should I cook it on low and just ignore the setting on the crock pot or should I put it on high for 4 hours?
Hi Trish, I would cook it on low – I think cooking it 4 hours on high would over cook it.
Hi! I’m making this for dinner tonight! I already have some cooked penne in the fridge from a different recipe I made. What should I do differently if I using pasta that has already been cooked?
Hi Chelsea – I would add the cooked penne in at the same time you add the cheeses. Hope it turns out great!
How many days will it last for stored in fridge?
Hi Natasha – I follow the FDA’s guidelines on cooked chicken and only keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days.
What are the calories and nutrition information
Hi Cindy! I have added the nutritional information to the recipe card.
Making this today! So excited to try it! I think I’ll add more basil and tomatoes since I have a bunch.
I used medium pasta shell and milk. I would add more cheeses, pasta and milk. Other wise it was great.
Am finding the wholemeal pasta is taking way longer than 30 minutes to cook…..
Do you cut the chicken before you put it in the crockpot?
I put in whole chicken breasts and cut it after. I’m sure either is fine though!
That sounds SO good! Pinned.
Can you use instapot instead of a Crock Pot?
I’m wondering the same thing about using the Instant Pot instead. Did you get an answer?
Well this meal was easy and very delishes . My family really enjoyed this meal.
Is there anything that I can use in place of the heavy cream?
Hi Amanda,
If you can have dairy, then this (http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/heavy-cream-substitute-357873) is how you could create a substitute for heavy cream.
Hope that helps!
Andrea
So, when do you ….Add in heavy cream and penne, turn up to high, and cook 30 minutes?
After 4 hours – and 30 minutes before you’re ready to serve it. Hope you enjoy it!
It was really good! I’ll be sharing this with family.
This was great!! Easy to make and great tasting, but it didnt feel like a clean eating recipe?? Am I wrong?
Hi Debbie – I am glad you liked it! I think many people have different interpretations as to what clean eating means. For me, clean eating is not low fat or low calorie, but looks at the ingredients themselves. I consider it clean eating when the ingredients are whole and used from their natural state, such as fresh produce. All of the ingredients in this recipe are in their original state (with the exception of the penne). I find taking a more lenient approach to clean eating is more accessible for most people, so I try to keep my recipes simple, easy to follow, and with ingredients that are easy to access. Hope that helps!
Made for the first time today!! Delicious!! Definitely will make again:)
Do you know how many calories and carbs are in each serving?
Hi Catherine – this recipe serves 6, and has approximately 261 calories and 11.8 carbs per serving.
Calorie count?
Hi Jennifer – this recipe has 261 calories per serving.
This was soo good!! And I see why it’s lasagna because te taste so much like it!! Will definitely make again!
I am so glad you liked it! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
I love it! My husband will want more salt and pepper, but the kids are eating it and I think it tastes great! Perfect! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
So glad to hear your family liked it! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
I’m trying out this recipe on Tuesday and I cannot wait! It looks delicious, I’m so glad I found it!
With only 10 minutes prep, it would be great for a busy day!
Yes to fresh basil! This looks amazing—I’m adding it to my meal planner for next week. Thanks!
This looks amazing. I can’t wait to try the recipe. And I agree, using fresh herbs is especially satisfying in the winter because they bring color and freshness to dreary days.
Sounds like a fresh tasting comfort food dish. Can’t wait to give it a try on a busy weekday night. I’m always looking for new slow cooker recipes to try.