Description
Skinny Low-Fat Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is a creamy, comforting pasta dish that combines tender chicken with a luscious yet light Alfredo sauce. This recipe delivers rich flavors with fewer calories, making it perfect for a healthy, satisfying weeknight dinner that doesn’t sacrifice taste or texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Pasta
- 8 ounces whole wheat fettuccine
Sauce
- 1 cup low-fat milk
- 2 ounces low-fat cream cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Other
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the whole wheat fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water for the sauce.
- Cook the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and let rest before slicing into strips.
- Make the Alfredo Sauce: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed, then sauté minced garlic until fragrant but not browned. Reduce heat to low, whisk in the low-fat cream cheese until melted, then slowly add low-fat milk, stirring continuously. Add grated Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and Finish: Toss the cooked fettuccine into the sauce, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to achieve your preferred consistency. Add the sliced chicken, gently mix everything together, and cook just until warmed through. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired before serving.
Notes
- Don’t overcook chicken; remove from heat once it reaches 165°F internally to keep it juicy.
- Use reserved pasta water to help blend the sauce and pasta without thinning too much.
- Low-fat dairy ingredients like cream cheese and milk create creaminess with fewer calories than heavy cream.
- Fresh garlic boosts the flavor profile significantly compared to garlic powder.
- Stir sauce constantly on low heat to avoid curdling or burning the dairy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: skinny, low-fat, chicken, fettuccine alfredo, healthy pasta, light alfredo sauce, whole wheat pasta