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Healthy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

A quick, healthy, and creamy chicken pasta that is easy to make any night of the week.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 8 oz whole wheat penne or fettuccine Use whole wheat for added fiber.
Chicken
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
Sauce Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp olive oil Divided use.
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup low-fat milk (1% or 2%)
  • 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups baby spinach Optional but recommended.
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add whole wheat penne or fettuccine and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Season and Cook the Chicken
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season cubed chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken to the hot skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Build the Garlic Parmesan Sauce
  1. Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the same skillet. Add minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Sprinkle in the whole wheat flour and stir for 30 seconds to remove the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the low-sodium chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Add the low-fat milk and bring the mix to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Add Greek Yogurt and Cheese
  1. Remove the skillet from direct heat for 1 minute to prevent yogurt from curdling. Stir in the plain non-fat Greek yogurt until smooth. Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese and stir until it melts into the sauce. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Combine and Finish
  1. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and toss to coat with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until you reach the desired consistency. Stir in baby spinach and cook until it just wilts. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Serve Hot
  1. Divide the pasta into bowls and serve immediately. Add a little extra Parmesan on top if you like.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat with a splash of milk or broth to loosen the sauce. Freezing is possible but not ideal due to the yogurt-based sauce.