Healthy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
A delicious and nutritious pasta dish featuring tender chicken, garlic, spinach, and a creamy Parmesan sauce, perfect for a wholesome meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz whole wheat penne or fettuccine
Oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Garlic
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
Spices
- 0.5 tsp paprika
- 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
Flour
- 1 tbsp whole wheat flour
Liquids
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 0.5 cup low-fat milk (1% or 2%)
Dairy
- 0.5 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
Cheese
- 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables
- 2 cups baby spinach (optional but recommended)
Seasonings
- to taste Salt and black pepper
Garnish
- for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add cubed chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add minced garlic, paprika, and Italian seasoning; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in flour, then gradually add chicken broth and milk, stirring constantly. Simmer until sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Reduce heat and mix in Greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, and spinach; cook until spinach wilts. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine cooked pasta with sauce, toss well, and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lemon or red pepper flakes.