Healthy Low Fat Creamy Chicken Cranberry Apple Pasta
Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and creamy with this Healthy Low Fat Creamy Chicken Cranberry Apple Pasta. This guilt-free comfort dish features tender whole-grain pasta tossed with juicy chicken breast, crisp diced apples, and tangy dried cranberries, all brought together in a luscious Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese sauce that's light yet satisfying. With fresh spinach folded in for a burst of color and nutrients, this dish is as wholesome as it is flavorful. Ready in just 40 minutes and packed with seasonal ingredients, it's a weeknight dinner winner that feels gourmet. Perfect for health-conscious foodies looking for a nutritious pasta recipe that's low in fat but full of flavor!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 8 ounces whole-grain pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
- 1 medium apple, diced (preferably a sweet variety like Fuji or Gala)
- 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 0.5 cup plain Greek yogurt (low-fat or non-fat)
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the whole-grain pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Set pasta aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Season the chicken breasts with a pinch of salt and pepper on both sides. Cook the chicken in the skillet for about 6-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and no longer pink in the center. Remove from the skillet and set aside. Once cooled slightly, slice the chicken into thin strips or cubes.
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
Add the diced apple to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened.
Stir in the dried cranberries and chicken broth. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
Lower the heat to medium-low, and stir in the Greek yogurt, grated Parmesan cheese, and lemon juice. Mix until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water a little at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Add the cooked pasta, fresh spinach, and cooked chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything together until well coated in the sauce and the spinach is wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Remove from heat and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1520 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 37.3 g | 48% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.5 g | 52% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 320 mg | 107% | |
| Sodium | 1922 mg | 84% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 164.0 g | 60% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.5 g | 73% | |
| Total Sugars | 77.3 g | ||
| Protein | 145.9 g | 292% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 522 mg | 40% | |
| Iron | 9.8 mg | 54% | |
| Potassium | 1609 mg | 34% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
