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Creamy, skinny chicken fettuccine Alfredo is a delicious, lightened-up version of the classic pasta dish. Tossed in a flavorful homemade Alfredo sauce and topped with juicy baked chicken, it’s a perfect, restaurant-quality homecooked meal.
Indulge in this Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo – a creamy, dreamy twist on the classic pasta dish. I lightened it up for a guilt-free experience without sacrificing flavor. Silky fettuccine is tossed in homemade Alfredo sauce, and it all comes together with juicy baked chicken on top. It’s the comfort food you’ve been craving but lightened up and still just as delicious.
Why We Love This Skinny Chicken Alfredo
- Skinny sauce. This skinny Alfredo sauce is lighter, but it’s still rich, creamy, and cheesy. The secret is using plain yogurt in place of heavy cream.
- Restaurant-quality. If you love the iconic chicken fettuccine Alfredo from Olive Garden, now you can enjoy all those creamy, savory flavors at home.
- All-in-one dinner. With tender pasta, cream sauce, and juicy chicken, this is a full meal!
Ingredients for Chicken Alfredo
- Cooked chicken breasts or thighs.
- Fettuccine Pasta, use low-carb pasta or whole-wheat pasta.
- Olive Oil
- Garlic
- All-purpose flour creates a roux that thickens the sauce.
- Chicken Broth
- Parmesan Cheese
- Plain Yogurt is used instead of heavy cream to make a lighter sauce.
- Dried parsley for the sauce.
- Salt and Pepper
How To Make Skinny Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
- Prepare the chicken. Cook the chicken breasts using your desired method. I use this oven baked chicken breasts recipe as it’s quick and easy.
- Cook the pasta. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to package instructions.
- Make the sauce. Next, in a saucepan, heat olive oil and sauté the garlic. Add the flour and then whisk in 1 cup of chicken broth. Allow the mixture to thicken, then whisk in grated Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add yogurt and seasonings. Add the yogurt to the sauce, along with a sprinkle of dried parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting the seasoning as desired.
- Combine. Toss the cooked pasta in the creamy Alfredo sauce until well coated. Slice the prepared chicken breasts and gently nestle them into the pasta. Serve.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Add some salt to the water you’ll use to boil the pasta.
- Don’t overcook the pasta and only cook the pasta until it is al dente.
- The sauce thickens the longer it stands but if you find that the Alfredo sauce is a bit too thick, add a little more milk or water to thin it out.
- Add vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach to add color, texture, and extra nutrients.
- Substitute chicken with shrimp scampi, grilled steak strips (like in my Alfredo pasta with steak), Italian sausage, or even cooked tofu.
- Low-carb pasta is delicious. You can make this with low-carb noodles or zucchini noodles.
- Add more seasonings like oregano, thyme, rosemary, and Italian seasoning, or crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
Serving Suggestions
A fresh green goddess salad, lemon kale Caesar salad, or this delicious tomato burrata salad contrasts the rich and creamy pasta. Steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or zucchini add a pop of color to the plate. Or you can go all-out, Olive Garden-style, with lightened-up garlic breadsticks or warm, crusty homemade focaccia bread.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Fridge. Refrigerate leftover pasta airtight for 3 to 4 days.
- To Reheat. Reheat it in the microwave or in a skillet on the stovetop. Stir in a tablespoon of milk to help emulsify the sauce again.
More Alfredo Pasta Recipes
More Easy Chicken Pasta Recipes
- Lemon Chicken Fettuccine
- Chicken Pasta Bake
- Cajun Chicken Pasta with Zoodles
- Chicken Pasta Primavera
- Chicken Broccoli Pasta
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Pin ItChicken Fettuccine Alfredo
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 cooked chicken breasts
- 8 ounces whole wheat fettuccine pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic,, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup fat free, low sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup nonfat plain yogurt,, (you can also use 1% milk in place of the yogurt)
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- salt and fresh ground black pepper,, to taste
- fresh basil ribbons,, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the directions on the box; set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute or until fragrant.
- Stir in flour; stir until combined.
- Slowly whisk in chicken broth.
- Cook and stir until mixture boils and thickens; remove from heat.
- Stir in parmesan cheese; stir until melted.
- Whisk in the yogurt; whisk until combined.
- Season with dried parsley, salt and pepper.
- Sauce will continue to thicken as it stands. If sauce is too thick, add a little more milk.
- Pour sauce over cooked fettuccine; mix until combined.
- Transfer to plates and top with previously prepared chicken.
- Garnish with basil ribbons and serve.
Notes
- Fettuccine Pasta: Cook the pasta until it is al dente, which means it is cooked but still firm to the bite. This helps to maintain a pleasing texture when combined with the sauce and chicken.
- Before draining the pasta, reserve about 1/2 cup of the cooking water; this starchy water can be used to adjust the consistency of the sauce if needed.
- Add sauteed or roasted vegetables for extra nutrients. Diced bell peppers, sliced mushrooms, or baby spinach are great additions.
- If you want something other than chicken, you can use shrimp, steak strips, or cooked Italian sausage.
- Feel free to use other pasta shapes like penne, spaghetti, or linguine. You can also try it with my favorite 👉 low-carb pasta 👈.
- Enhance the flavor and add herbs such as dried oregano, or spices like red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
I was wondering how much this recipe yeilds. Is it enough for two people? If not then I know to buy more ingredients. I am assuming it makes enough but I want to be sure.
Hi Nathan! Yes, it’s definitely enough for 2 people, and also enough for 4 people. ๐
This chicken fettuccine recipe looks amazing โ I canโt wait to try it! I usually make chicken and broccoli Alfredo in a cream cheese sauce (http://doubletherecipe.com/2016/01/13/chicken-broccoli-fettuccine-alfredo/) but I am definitely going to have to make this soon, i love the idea of using kefir to make a healthier alternative.
Thanks for a great post!
Great alternative to use something so much better for you! I love using greek yogurt in lots of things so it would be fun to try this with the smoothie idea! Thanks!
Just came across this on Pintrest! I am in Canada and we don’t have Kefir….I see that you said you an use plain yogurt. But I’m wondering if plain Greek yogurt would also work?!
Hi Erin! Because Greek yogurt has a strong sour flavor, I would only use it IF you were comfortable with a very sour taste. Thus, the sauce will turn out, but depending on your taste preference, I’d use it with a bit of caution. Thank you!!
But the Kefir is sour tasting correct?
Yes, it is. That’s why I said if you’re okay with the sour taste, then definitely go with the Greek yogurt.
I don’t know if I prepared this dish incorrectly. For some reason it did not turn out well. It was kind of sour tasting and I used only fresh ingredients. Maybe I will try making it again and see if it turns out better.
Hi Mindy! If it was sour, then I can only assume that maybe you used more yogurt for the sauce?
Although the probiotic benefits of Kefir are destroyed when it is heated, it is still a great idea to help lighten up this classic dish!
Would you mind sharing what the nutritional facts are for this? Looks SUPER yummy. My husband and I are using a calorie counting site so it would be helpful to know. Thanks!
Hi Melissa!
I shared the nutritional info within the post. If you scroll up, above the recipe card, you will see where I discuss that this is around 500 calories per serving. I hope that helps!
Well frankly, this is just ridiculously delicious looking. Can’t wait to try this with loads and loads of fresh herbs on top.
I like that you used kefir so that I can actually use regular amount of Fettuccine Alfredo sauce not cut in half portion due to the calorie. ๐ I seriously want to enjoy this meal without worrying about dieting. ๐ Your pictures are very inviting!!!
Alfredo is hands down my favorite pasta!! I just can’t handle all the guilt that goes with it – but this looks divine!!