Healthy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the ultimate comfort food that warms your heart and fills your belly. Perfect for busy weeknights or a cozy Sunday dinner, this dish is a delightful mix of whole wheat pasta, tender chicken, and a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce that’s simply irresistible. With just a few pantry staples and some fresh ingredients, you’ll have a family-approved meal on the table in no time. And let me tell you, it’s both wholesome and delicious—what’s not to love?
Why You’ll Love This Dish
There are plenty of reasons to whip up this Healthy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta. First off, it’s quick to make, taking about 30 minutes from start to finish, which is a lifesaver on those hectic weeknights. It’s budget-friendly too; using whole wheat pasta and lean chicken helps keep costs low without sacrificing flavor. Plus, it’s comforting—a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for a family gathering or just a casual evening at home.
"I made this last week and my kids couldn’t get enough! It’s surprisingly easy and so creamy!" – Sarah J.
This dish is not just another weeknight meal; it’s a recipe that checks all the boxes for flavor, nutrition, and simplicity.
How This Recipe Comes Together
Ready to get started? Making Healthy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta is simple and satisfying. You’ll cook the pasta first, then season and sauté the chicken before building that rich, creamy garlic sauce. Finally, everything comes together with a touch of Greek yogurt and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for a final flourish. Let’s look at what you need.
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What You’ll Need
Gather these items to get your cooking adventure underway:
- 8 oz whole wheat penne or fettuccine
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 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)
If you need to make substitutions, feel free! You can swap the whole wheat pasta for gluten-free pasta or use different veggies like broccoli or zucchini.
Directions to Follow
Let’s dive into the cooking process:
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Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling a pot of salted water and cook your pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
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Season and Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken, season with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
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Build the Garlic Parmesan Sauce: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Sprinkle the whole wheat flour, stirring for another minute before slowly whisking in the chicken broth and milk. Bring to a simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly.
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Add Greek Yogurt and Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the Greek yogurt and fresh Parmesan cheese until everything is creamy and well-combined.
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Combine and Finish: Toss in the cooked pasta and baby spinach, mixing everything together until the spinach wilts. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
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Serve Hot: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately while it’s all warm and comforting.
Best Ways to Enjoy It
This Healthy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta shines on its own, but it also goes well with garden salads, grilled veggies, or even some garlic bread on the side. For a little zest, you could sprinkle some red pepper flakes or add lemon zest to brighten the flavors.
How to Store and Reheat
Got leftovers? Keep this pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave. Add a splash of milk to revive the creamy sauce if it thickens too much.
Helpful Cooking Tips
- Always taste as you go! Adjust seasoning to your preference which helps in balancing flavors.
- For a quicker cooking time, you can use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken.
- Don’t skip on the Greek yogurt; it adds that creamy texture without all the calories of traditional cream!
Recipe Variations
Feeling adventurous? Here are some fun variations to try:
- Add sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for deeper flavor.
- Swap out the spinach for other greens like kale or Swiss chard.
- Experiment with different cheeses such as feta or mozzarella for a unique twist.
Common Questions
What’s the prep time for this recipe?
It takes about 10 minutes to prep. Just chop the garlic and chicken, and you’re ready to cook!
Can I make this gluten-free?
Absolutely! Just use gluten-free pasta and check that your chicken broth is gluten-free.
How long will leftovers last?
Stored properly in the fridge, this dish can last for about 3 days—perfect for meal prep!
And there you have it—a comforting dish that’s not just easy to make but also filled with flavor and good-for-you ingredients. Give this Healthy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta a try, and I promise it will quickly become a family favorite!
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Healthy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Healthy
Description
A comforting dish featuring whole wheat pasta, tender chicken, and a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
Ingredients
- 8 oz whole wheat penne or fettuccine
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 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)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Season and Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add cubed chicken, season with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Build the Garlic Parmesan Sauce: Add minced garlic to the skillet, cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Sprinkle whole wheat flour, stirring for another minute before whisking in chicken broth and milk. Bring to a simmer and thicken slightly.
- Add Greek Yogurt and Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese until creamy and well-combined.
- Combine and Finish: Toss in cooked pasta and baby spinach, mixing until spinach wilts. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve Hot: Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Feel free to substitute whole wheat pasta with gluten-free pasta. Add other veggies like broccoli or zucchini for more nutrition.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg