Lasagna is a traditional dish. But today I would be sharing the smoky chicken lasagna recipe, instead of the traditional one. What’s the difference? The Smoke. And it is something which is going to give the dish an extra mileage.
Talking of a traditional recipe, if you dig into its origin, it is Naples, Italy where it was first made in 14th century. At least historical records say so. You know what, I always used to think good things come out of good timing. But my idea about correlation between good things and timing got a huge bump when I came to know this wonderful delicacy was invented during a pandemic called Black Plague. Just imagine. What a timing!
Ah, let’s jump to its recipe.
Ingredients:
Chicken preparation ingredients:
Chicken breast – 1 No. (Boneless)
Chili flakes – ½ Teaspoon
Garlic – 1 Tablespoon (finely chopped)
Parsley – 1 Tablespoon (finely chopped)
Olive oil – 1 Tablespoon
Butter – 2 Tablespoon
Salt – To taste
Black pepper powder – To taste
Gravy preparation ingredients:
Olive oil – 2 Tablespoon
Garlic – 1 Tablespoon (chopped)
Onion – 1 No. (chopped)
Tomato concasse – 1 ½ Cup
Fresh cream – 2 Tablespoon
Mixed herbs – 1 Teaspoon
Basil leaves – 3 to 4 Nos.
Paprika powder – 1 Teaspoon
Sugar – 2 Teaspoon
Black pepper powder – To taste
Salt – To taste
Smoke preparation ingredients:
Charcoal pieces – 1 to 2 Nos. (Hot)
Olive oil – 1 Teaspoon
Lasagna tray preparation ingredient:
Blanched lasagna sheets – 8 Nos.
White sauce – ¾ Cup
Mozzarella cheese – 1 Cup
Cheddar cheese – 40 g (grated)
Parsley – ½ Teaspoon (finely chopped)
Chili flakes – ½ Teaspoon
Procedure:
Ready the chicken:
Take the chicken breast on a plate. Marinate it with Salt, Black Pepper Powder, Chili flakes, Garlic, Parsley and Olive oil. Rub the chicken thoroughly. Give it a rest for half an hour.
Heat a grill pan. Place the chicken in the pan. Now add butter. Cook it on high flame for 3 to 4 minutes.
Flip the chicken and cook it for another 3 to 4 minutes.
Now transfer the chicken to an oven and bake it for 6 to 8 minutes in 1800 C.
Bring out the chicken and chop it into pieces.
Ready the gravy:
Take another pan. Heat olive oil. Add garlic and onion. Sauté until the onion turns translucent.
Add tomato concasse. Stir well. When the bubble comes out, add salt and black pepper powder to taste along with dried mixed herbs. Give it a good mix.
Add paprika powder. Stir well.
Then add sugar and mix it again.
Place a lid on the top of the cooking pan. And cook it for 5 minutes in medium flame.
Add the chopped chicken now along with the basil leaves. Just crush it with your hands and tear it. The smell of basil will come out because of the rub.
Give it a good final stir.
Smoke the gravy:
Take a small steel bowl. Place it directly on the gravy. Put the hot charcoal into it. Now add olive oil and lid it instantly. The smoke will cover the entire pan and it will reach to the gravy too. Infuse for 1 to 2 minutes.
Bring out the steel bowl with the help of a holder. Careful. It’s sizzling hot.
Give it a stir.
Add fresh cream. And give it the final stir.
Remove it from the flame. Don’t cook after adding cream.
Ready the lasagna tray:
Place 2 blanched lasagna sheets at the bottom of the tray. Then layer it with the gravy followed by ¼ cup of white sauce and ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese.
Repeat the layer for 3 more times.
The thickness depends on your wish. I did it a 3 layered.
On the top spread cheddar cheese along with ¼ cup of mozzarella cheese. Cover the top completely with these two types of cheese.
Bake:
Bake it for 10 to 15 minutes at 1800C.
Sprinkle parsley and chili flakes on the top of it.
Cut it into big pieces. And serve.
Nutritional value of Chicken Lasagna per serving (324 g)
| Calories | 630 Kcal |
| Protein | 44.4 g |
| Carbohydrate | 78.2 g |
| Fat | 15.2 g |
Conclusion:
Smoky chicken lasagna is a meticulous recipe, there is absolutely no doubt about that. But that’s how are delicacies made, with lots of patience, love and skill. I know you have patience and love, you are quite capable of acquiring skill, I am sure. Just give it a try. It’s Lasagna, ‘The Lasagna’, ‘The Smoky Chicken Lasagna’ to be very precise, it will never fail you.
You may read other Recipes here.