Description
A healthy and delicious Skinny Chicken Broccoli Alfredo recipe that combines tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a light Alfredo sauce made with low-fat milk and Parmesan cheese. This dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, offering all the comfort of traditional Alfredo with fewer calories and fat.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
Vegetables
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 2–3 minced garlic cloves
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice
Sauce
- 1 cup low-fat milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- A pinch of nutmeg (optional for added flavor)
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking the chicken)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Cook Broccoli: Steam or boil broccoli florets until tender but still vibrant green. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add cubed chicken and cook until golden brown and thoroughly cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Prepare Alfredo Sauce: In a separate saucepan, sauté minced garlic cloves until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk in the all-purpose flour to make a roux. Gradually add low-fat milk and chicken broth while continuously whisking to prevent lumps. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Seasoning: Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Add a pinch of nutmeg if desired to enhance the flavor. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked chicken and broccoli to the sauce, then toss in the drained pasta. Stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and all ingredients are well combined.
- Serve: Serve the Skinny Chicken Broccoli Alfredo immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free flour.
- You can steam broccoli in the microwave by placing it in a covered dish with a tablespoon of water for about 3-4 minutes.
- Use low-fat or fat-free milk to keep the dish lighter.
- If you want a richer sauce, substitute some of the milk with half-and-half, but this will increase calories and fat.
- To save time, use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken, but adjust seasoning accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
