Lighter Chicken Alfredo Dish (Printable Version)
A wholesome, creamy dish combining pasta, chicken and a lighter Alfredo-style sauce.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 -
1 pound brown rice pasta (try shapes like twisty cavatappi, tube ziti, short penne, or spiral fusilli)
→ Sauce
02 -
2 tablespoons sweet butter, unsalted
03 -
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped (roughly 2 tablespoons)
04 -
¼ cup regular flour
05 -
2 ¾ cups dairy milk (whatever fat content you prefer)
06 -
1 (14-ounce) can chicken stock with reduced salt (or 1 ¾ cups homemade)
07 -
1 ½ teaspoons herb mix for Italian dishes (or mix ½ teaspoon dried thyme with 1 teaspoon dried basil)
08 -
1 teaspoon powder made from dried onions
09 -
¾ teaspoon salt (coarse kitchen type)
10 -
½ teaspoon black pepper, ground up
11 -
¼ teaspoon hot pepper bits
→ Cheeses
12 -
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated right before using (split in half)
13 -
1 cup shredded stretchy cheese like provolone or mozzarella (about 4 ounces, used in two parts)
→ Additional Ingredients
14 -
½ cup Greek yogurt with less fat (the 2% kind works best)
15 -
3 ½ cups chicken that's been cooked and pulled apart (about 3 medium-sized breasts)
16 -
Fresh parsley leaves, chopped up for garnish
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
Turn your oven on to 375°F. Spray your big 9x13-inch baking dish so food won't stick.
02 -
Boil the pasta until it's still got a bit of bite. Drain it well and put it back in the cooking pot.
03 -
Melt butter in a big pan on medium heat. Add flour and keep stirring for 1 minute. Toss in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until you can smell it nicely.
04 -
Turn down the heat. Pour in milk and chicken stock bit by bit, stirring to get rid of lumps. Mix in the Italian herbs, onion powder, salt, both peppers. Let it bubble gently while stirring now and then until it gets thicker, about 8-10 minutes. Take it off the heat.
05 -
Mix half the Parmesan into your sauce. Let it cool down just a minute, then stir in your Greek yogurt.
06 -
Dump your shredded chicken and the sauce into the pot with pasta. Mix everything together well.
07 -
Dump half your pasta mix into the baking dish. Sprinkle half cup of provolone on top. Add the rest of the pasta mix, then top with what's left of your Parmesan and provolone.
08 -
Stick it in the oven for 15-20 minutes until it's hot, bubbly, and the cheese gets golden. Let it sit for 5 minutes before you dig in.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Don't let your pasta turn soggy - cook it firm and watch your baking time carefully.