Recipe: Chicken Pasta Primavera

This is a dish that really shows off how effective a skinny swap can be. By using a lighter [...]

Chicken-Pasta-Primavera_RESIZED-1

This is a dish that really shows off how effective a skinny swap can be. By using a lighter version of cheese and milk alongside whole-wheat pasta, you get a creamy dish with minimal calories that can be made quickly on a busy weeknight.

Chicken-Pasta-Primavera_RESIZED-8Chicken-Pasta-Primavera_PicStitchChicken-Pasta-Primavera_RESIZED-4Recipe: Chicken Pasta Primavera

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Serving size: 1½ cups

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

  • 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 8 ounces high-protein angel hair pasta

  • 2 cups broccoli florets, cooked

  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

  • 1 (8-ounce) container baby bella (cremini) mushrooms, sliced

Alfredo Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons white whole wheat flour

  • 1½ cups fat-free milk

  • 4 ounces ⅓-less-fat cream cheese

  • ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken with ½ teaspoon of the salt and ¼ teaspoon of the black pepper.

  2. In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until the chicken is no loner pink in the center but still juicy, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Set aside on a plate to rest.

  3. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions. Reserving ½ cup of the pasta water, drain and set aside.

  4. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon of oil to the same skillet used for the chicken, and sauté the broccoli, bell peppers, and mushrooms for 5 to 7 minutes, until the vegetables soften. Season with the remaining ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Remove the vegetables from the skillet and set aside.

  5. To make the Alfredo sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Whisk the flour into the butter for about 30 seconds, until smooth and the mixture smells nutty, making a roux. Whisk in the milk and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.

  6. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese and Parmesan. Stir the Alfredo sauce frequently, until it is slightly thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.

  7. Slice the chicken diagonally in thin strips. Return the chicken and vegetables to the skillet and toss to combine.

  8. Transfer the pasta to the chicken and vegetables to the skillet. Coat the chicken and vegetables evenly with the Alfredo sauce and add the reserved pasta water as needed until the sauce reaches a desired consistency before serving. Serve warm.

Nutrition Information
Per Serving: (1½ cups)
Calories: 375
Fat: 14g
Carbohydrates: 37g
Fiber: 6g
Sugar: 6g
Protein: 30g
SmartPoints: 10

3.1 The nutrition content of recipes on Popculture.com have been calculated by Registered Dietitian, Jessica Penner, of Smart Nutrition.

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