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posted by Cyndion June 10, 2015 (updated Aug 29, 2019) 48 comments »
Today I’m bringing you a creamy delicious pasta recipe. Skinny Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo! This dish is by no means “healthy” but it cuts back on calories and heaviness. Instead of beinga cream cheese base, it uses greek yogurt. And I’ve got to tell you, it taste amazing. You’d never know this was a skinny recipe.
The diet continues friends. We’re on thesecond week and things are going ok, I guess. At first everything was great. I worked out 4 days and was counting my calories to a T. Then I had Sunday cheat day and it all went to the waste side.
Before Sunday cheat day, I was down 2 pounds. Yippee, right?
Cheat day came and went. And I ended up gaining 3 pounds back. Just from one day. WHAT?!? Are you serious?
I was so deflated and sad. I actually cried a little bit too. Why am I telling you all of this, you ask? I want other women in my position know that you’re not alone. Everyone has their ups and downs, but we got to get back on that horse and keep going. So that’s what I did this week.
Today’s a new day! The scale was nice to me this morning so lets keep our fingers crossed that it stays this way. I made this Skinny Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo last week because I was craving pasta. I knew I couldn’t eat a heavy Alfredo dish because I would really gain all my weight back. It needed to be a lighter version and the calories needed to be half of the original Alfredo recipe.
I should have used wheat pasta, but my wonderful husband doesn’t like it and everytime I try to use it, I get that yuck face from him. So, I used regular pasta and cut my serving size in half. It was plenty and tasted delicious.
The original recipesays it serves 4-6, but I don’t agree with that. We easily ate this Alfredo pasta twiceand we have a family of 4. One serving is roughly 320 calories if you make it a serving size of 8. That’s a great dinner in my opinion. Add a side salad and you have a delicious meal. If your craving Alfredo pasta then this is your dish. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Get the Recipe:Skinny Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo
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Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 35 minutes mins
Servings: 6 -8
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Ingredients
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast, cooked any way you like, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup 2% milk
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, optional
Instructions
Cook pasta according to the package. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside. Sprinkle some olive oil over the noodles so they don't stick together.
In a large skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and bring to a medium high heat. Sauté broccoli for 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly and slightly tender. Remove to a plate and set aside.
In the same skillet, add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk in flour and cook an additional minute.
Slowly whisk in the chicken broth 1/2 cup at a time, making sure to remove all clumps. Once the chicken broth is added, slowly mix in the milk, greek yogurt, salt and pepper.
Turn heat down to a simmer (you don't want the greek yogurt to curdle) and let the sauce simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Add the sauce, cooked chicken and broccoli to the pot of cooked pasta. Toss to coat entirely. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and cover for 2 minutes.
If the pasta is to thick, add some of the reserved pasta water, if needed.
Serve and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Mention @mykitchencraze on Instagram or tag #mykitchencraze.
Here are some more skinny recipes from food bloggers around the web:
Santa Fe Stuffed Peppers by Shugary Sweets
Skinny Mexican Casserole by Damn Delicious
Skinny Chicken & Broccoli Casserole by Macaroni & Cheesecake
Dinners Pasta
originally published on June 10, 2015 (last updated Aug 29, 2019)
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48 comments on “Skinny Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo”
Danielle —Reply
I totally know how you feel, I gained some weight after college after I started my first job sitting at a desk. I lost it all for my wedding, but since food blogging I feel a little bit of that weight creeping back on. I’m absolutely loving this dish though because we’ve been trying to eat healthier and go to the gym too. This is totally something my husband would love, I think I’m going to give this a try for dinner next week! Love it!
Cyndi —Reply
Wished we lived closer Danielle, we could go to the gym together. I love that food bloggers just understand one another. Thanks sweetie and I hope you and your hubby enjoy this pasta! 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice —Reply
Eating healthy or at least more portion control is so hard! Especially with food blogging, I have to give most of what I make away. This pasta looks delicious, Cyndi! You had me at alfredo, I always order something with this sauce at Italian restaurants. And I’m loving that it’s skinny and so full of flavor. Gorgeous pictures, too! Pinned!
Cyndi —Reply
I have to give it all away too Gayle, even though I don’t want too, hehe. Thanks for your awesome words and the pin. 🙂
Harriet Emily —Reply
What a perfect pasta dish! I always love using broccoli in pasta recipes – they’re the best veggie addition! What a great idea using greek yogurt too, I’ve never tried it with that before and you’ve definitely inspired me! 🙂
Cyndi —Reply
Thank you Harriet! I was pleasantly surprised how good the greek yogurt turned out also. Hope you like it! 🙂
Jen —Reply
Being a food blogger makes it so difficult to eat healthy all the time. Love that you made a skinny pasta and it looks so flavorful! Alfredo is my favorite. Pinning!
Cyndi —Reply
It does, doesn’t it Jen!! I love my job, but my goodness! 🙂 Thanks friend!!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout —Reply
Pasta that’s guilt-free?! I’m there! I love broccoli and this looks so creamy and delish 🙂
Cyndi —Reply
Thanks sweetie!! And yes guilt free!! 🙂
Aimee @ ShugarySweets —Reply
First. These photos are so gorgeous!!! SECOND. I love that you lightened it up (got some vacay weight to lose!!) And THIRD. What time is dinner??
Cyndi —Reply
First, thank you so much! Such a compliment coming from an awesome blogger as you!! 😉 Second, awww Hawaii and the dreaded extra weight with vacay. Been there, done that! Third, 6:00pm. You better get on a flight soon. You have a long way to Cali. 🙂 See you soon, hehe.
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life —Reply
Sticking to healthy eating and exercise all the time is so hard. My scale fluctuates 5 pounds all the time. Just stick with it in moderation and don’t feel bad about those cheat days. The hardest thing is getting back to the diet and gym the next morning. I love that you still made pasta but lightened it up with some yogurt. It looks amazing!
Cyndi —Reply
Thank you Jocelyn and just reading your comment makes me feel better! Glad that I’m not the only one with these darn dreaded issues. 🙂
Justine | Cooking and Beer —Reply
My thoughts are with you girl on your diet journey! It’s so hard! This recipe looks incredible though, Cyndi! Pinned!
Cyndi —Reply
Thanks for the encouragement and pin, friend!! 🙂
Danae @ Recipe Runner —Reply
I swear being a food blogger and trying to lose weight is almost impossible. Good for you for taking on this journey! I love this skinny alfredo, Greek yogurt is one of my favorite healthy substitutes.
Cyndi —Reply
Thank you Danae! I do notice it is very hard being a food blogger. Also being older sucks too. It was so easy in my 20’s, hehe. 🙂
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates —Reply
Agh dieting is SOOO tough. My husband can eat whatever he wants and never gains a pound but I have to watch my calories like crazy! It is tough, especially as a food blogger. Somehow cheat days always throw me way off too.
This skinny alfredo looks like a great way to stick to the diet though! Pinning!Cyndi —Reply
Haha Mariah, my hubby is the same way. They have no idea, darn them. 🙂 Thanks sweetie!
Manali @ CookWithManali —Reply
Cyndi, it is okay. Cheer up and just keep working out. It’s tough to control especially when you are a food blogger. I eat everything that I cook, just that I control my portion sizes. Also if you don’t mind, I would like to give you a suggestion – Don’t weight yourself everyday. once a week or once in 2 weeks works better. Focus on eating healthy and working out, make fitness a part of your daily life. Weight loss will happen, the numbers are never that important, your health is. Hope it makes some sense 🙂 The pasta looks awesome, I am a huge alfredo fan!
Cyndi —Reply
Manali, your too sweet!! Thank you for the advice! I’d love any advice you give me!! Your an awesome friend! I do need to stop looking at the scale every day though. It messes with my mind, ha! Thanks for your kind and sweet words! 🙂
Ahhhh the battle of the bulge that us women have! It’s an ongoing one I tell ya. At least we have some lighter options like this to satisfy us!
Cyndi —Reply
Glad someone understand what we go through. 🙂 Thanks Julie!!
Brian Jones —Reply
This looks lovely and will have to give it a go, it would seem the local hare like our broccoli in the garden so may have to buy some instead 🙁
Cyndi —Reply
Thank you Brian. Well that sucks that the hare are eating all the broccoli. Bummer. At least you can buy some. 😉
David @ CookingChat —Reply
I love this flavor combo; will have to try your idea of making it with yogurt!
Cyndi —Reply
Thank you David! 🙂
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. —Reply
That alfredo pasta looks great Cyndi! Isn’t it so annoying how it’s so much easier to gain the weight back than it is to lose it – that always seems to be the way it goes. Definitely going to be trying this pasta soon, it looks perfect!
Cyndi —Reply
Thank you Stacey!! It is always easy to gain and harder to lose. 🙂 Story of my life, hehe.
GiGi Eats —Reply
I could certainly see me eating about 5 bowls of this! 😉
Cyndi —Reply
Haha thanks Gigi. Don’t eat all 5 in one sitting though. I don’t want you getting a tummy ache! 🙂
Savita @ ChefDeHome —Reply
Pasta, looks very delicious, Cyndi! I would not have guessed it’s skinny! I totally get you, weight control is so important….. specially with blogging! I always keep reminding myself to control the portion size!
Cyndi —Reply
Thank you Savita!! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter —Reply
It’s hard being a food blogger and not cheating sometimes. I think we all struggle with that. Totally rooting for you on your journey. Love that you lightened this up, it looks incredible!
Cyndi —Reply
Aww thanks Kelly!! Your awesome! 🙂
Ana | Espresso My Kitchen —Reply
This skinny alfredo pasta sounds yummy and love that is guilt-free!
Cyndi —Reply
Thank you Ana!
This looks so fabulous!! And I can totally relate to getting off track on cheat day! I have been exactly where you are, losing lbs just to gain them back! Losing weight is so tough and it’s always so encouraging to hear other’s struggles and stories with it!, thanks for being open and sharing about it Thanks for the link love too!:)
Cyndi —Reply
Thank you Stephanie! 🙂
Annie @Maebells —Reply
Ugh, I can so relate. It is tough finding a plan that fits you because each persons body is so different. I run after work a couple days a week just to maintain my weight but a friend just starting going with me and she walks on the treadmill next to me and she has dropped like 2 sizes in a month?! How does that even happen? Okay now I need some of this broccoli alfredo to make myself feel better! haha!
Cyndi —Reply
Thank you Annie!! So nice to hear I’m not alone in this struggle! 🙂
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Laurie —Reply
Found this recipe on pinterest, and couldn’t not make sure you knew – this is the best alfredo I’ve ever made… traditional or otherwise! My hubs went for seconds (and thirds). But, for me, it was also satisfying enough to just have one serving, and watch my waistline… looking forward to leftovers tomorrow. Thanks for sharing!
Cyndi —Reply
Yay! Your comment made my day! 🙂
Geraldine —Reply
Great love healthy recipes
Holly —Reply
This looks so good! Does it last in the fridge at all? Can it be kept as leftovers or frozen?
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