Description
Lightened-Up Chicken Alfredo with a Creamy Twist is a healthier version of the classic comfort dish. It combines tender chicken with a creamy, yet lighter alfredo sauce made from cauliflower, offering the same rich texture and flavor with fewer calories. Perfect for those craving a delicious, creamy meal without the guilt.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small cauliflower, chopped
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or regular milk)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 8 ounces whole wheat fettuccine or any pasta of your choice
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Cauliflower Sauce: In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add the chopped cauliflower and cook for 8-10 minutes until soft. Drain, reserving some of the broth.
- Blend the Sauce: Transfer the cooked cauliflower to a blender and add almond milk, garlic, Parmesan cheese, thyme, nutmeg, and salt and pepper to taste. Blend until smooth, adding some of the reserved broth to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Cook the Pasta: While the cauliflower is cooking, prepare the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Combine the Chicken and Sauce: Slice the cooked chicken and return it to the skillet. Pour the cauliflower sauce over the chicken and heat on low for 2-3 minutes. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until everything is well-coated in the creamy sauce.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute almond milk with regular milk if you prefer.
- To make the dish even lighter, use a smaller amount of Parmesan or opt for a reduced-fat version.
- If you like your Alfredo sauce extra creamy, feel free to add a bit more cauliflower or Parmesan.
- This recipe is also great for meal prepping; just store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg