A quick and satisfying weeknight option, this pasta combines creamy garlic sauce with whole-wheat pasta and lean chicken for a nutritious meal.
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Total Time 30 minutesminutes
Serving Size 4servings
Ingredients
Pasta and Chicken
8ozwhole wheat penne or fettuccineSubstitute regular or gluten-free pasta if needed
1lbboneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
2tbspolive oil
3clovesgarlic, minced
Seasoning and Sauce
1/2tsppaprika
1/2tspItalian seasoning
Saltto taste
Black pepperto taste
1tbspwhole wheat flour(or 1 tbsp cornstarch for gluten-free)
1cuplow-sodium chicken broth
1/2cuplow-fat milk (1% or 2%)Adjust to your desired richness
1/2cupplain non-fat Greek yogurt(stir well; bring to room temp slightly to help incorporation)
1/2cupfreshly grated Parmesan cheese(avoid pre-grated for best melt/sheen)
Garnish and Optional Ingredients
2cupsbaby spinach(optional but recommended; substitute kale or arugula)
Fresh parsleychopped(for garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the whole-wheat pasta until al dente (follow package times). Reserve 1 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Pat chicken cubes dry with paper towels. Season with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
Add the chicken to the hot skillet in a single layer. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Remove chicken to a plate and cover loosely.
Making the Sauce
Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30-45 seconds until fragrant — don’t let it brown.
Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and stir for 30 seconds to form a light roux.
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring to deglaze the pan and dissolve any browned bits. Then add the low-fat milk. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Remove the skillet from heat. Whisk in the Greek yogurt until smooth.
Stir in grated Parmesan until melted. If the sauce is too thick, thin with a splash of reserved pasta water until you reach a silky consistency.
Combining Ingredients
Return the cooked chicken to the pan. Add the baby spinach and toss until wilted. Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
Combine the sauce and chicken with the drained pasta in the pot or skillet. Toss until evenly coated. Garnish with chopped parsley and more Parmesan if desired.
Serve hot.
Notes
Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and gives a silkier sauce. For vegetarian, use chickpeas or roasted mushrooms and vegetable broth. For faster prep, use pre-cubed rotisserie chicken and skip to the sauce step.