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Low Calorie Chicken Alfredo Pasta

Low Calorie Chicken Alfredo (Pasta)

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Alfredo Sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or low-fat milk
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup ricotta cheese for extra creaminess
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg optional, adds depth
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Pasta:

  • 8 oz whole wheat fettuccine or any preferred pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for pasta water

For Garnish:

  • Fresh parsley chopped
  • Extra grated Parmesan cheese optional

Instructions
 

Cook the Chicken:

  • Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 6-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside to rest. After 5 minutes, slice the chicken into thin strips and set aside for later.

Cook the Pasta:

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add your whole wheat fettuccine. Cook according to the package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drizzle a little olive oil over the cooked pasta to prevent it from sticking and set it aside.

Prepare the Alfredo Sauce:

  • In the same skillet used for the chicken, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil (or unsalted butter) over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic! Pour in the chicken broth and bring it to a simmer. Let it cook for about 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly. Then, add the almond milk (or low-fat milk) and bring it back to a gentle simmer. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and ricotta cheese. Keep stirring until the cheese melts completely and the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Add the Italian seasoning and nutmeg (if using), and season with salt and pepper to taste. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to adjust the consistency.

Combine Pasta and Chicken:

  • Add the cooked fettuccine and sliced chicken into the skillet with the Alfredo sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce needs a little more moisture, add a bit more pasta water or chicken broth until you reach your desired consistency.

Serve:

  • Serve the Low Calorie Chicken Alfredo immediately, garnishing with freshly chopped parsley and an optional sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy the lighter version of this creamy comfort dish!

Notes

If you want to make this dish even lower in calories, you can reduce the amount of Parmesan cheese or use a reduced-fat version.
For a gluten-free option, simply use gluten-free pasta or spiralized vegetables like zucchini as a pasta substitute.
The sauce is fairly rich, so you can adjust the consistency to your liking by adding more chicken broth or almond milk.
Keyword Low Calorie Chicken Alfredo Pasta