Description
This Healthy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is creamy, cheesy, and totally satisfying—but made with clean, simple ingredients that support your active lifestyle. We swapped heavy cream for Greek yogurt and low-fat milk to keep it rich, cozy, and light.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz whole wheat penne or fettuccine
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp whole wheat flour
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup low-fat milk (1% or 2%)
- ½ cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups baby spinach (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cubed chicken, season with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5–6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Set aside.
- In the same skillet, heat remaining olive oil. Sauté garlic for 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Stir in whole wheat flour to form a roux, cooking for 30 seconds.
- Slowly whisk in chicken broth and milk, stirring until sauce thickens, about 2–3 minutes.
- Lower heat and stir in Greek yogurt until creamy. Add Parmesan cheese and mix until melted. Adjust thickness with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Return chicken to skillet, add cooked pasta and spinach. Toss until well combined and spinach is wilted.
- Divide into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat with a splash of broth or milk to keep the sauce smooth. Add spinach at the very end for a fresh touch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Healthy
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: garlic parmesan, chicken pasta, healthy pasta, high protein, clean eating