Low Calorie Chicken Alfredo (Printable Version)
Creamy, light Alfredo with chicken and broccoli. Full Italian flavor, fewer calories, and ready in just 25 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta and Vegetables
01 -
250 grams pasta of any shape
02 -
2 cups broccoli florets
→ Chicken
03 -
2 medium chicken breasts, pounded flat or halved
04 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
05 -
0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
06 -
0.5 teaspoon paprika
07 -
0.5 teaspoon Italian seasoning
08 -
0.5 teaspoon salt
09 -
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
→ Alfredo Sauce
10 -
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
11 -
0.5 onion, minced
12 -
5 cloves garlic, minced
13 -
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
14 -
240 millilitres chicken stock or water
15 -
240 millilitres whole milk
16 -
60 grams cream cheese
17 -
0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 -
Cook pasta in a large pot of generously salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. In the final minute of cooking, add broccoli florets to blanch. Drain both pasta and broccoli, then set aside.
02 -
While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sear chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through. Remove from heat and rest for 5 minutes before slicing or dicing.
03 -
Using the same pan (do not rinse), add 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter and sauté minced onion over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in flour and toast lightly for 30 seconds. Gradually pour in chicken stock and milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps.
04 -
Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, then whisk in cream cheese and grated Parmesan until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
05 -
Return drained pasta and broccoli to the pan with sauce. Top with sliced or diced chicken. Toss together or arrange chicken on top. Optionally garnish with extra Parmesan or chopped parsley before serving.
# Additional Notes:
01 -
Cream cheese in the sauce adds extra creaminess without excess calories compared to heavy cream.