High Protein Penne Alfredo
Elevate your pasta night with this High Protein Penne Alfredo, a creamy and satisfying twist on the classic recipe. Perfect for health-conscious foodies, this dish balances indulgence and nutrition, packing extra protein from tender chicken breast and nutrient-rich chickpeas. A luscious, guilt-free Alfredo sauce is crafted with low-fat cream cheese, skim milk, and Parmesan, delivering velvety richness without the heavy cream. Vibrant green peas add a burst of color and flavor, while fresh parsley provides a fragrant finish. Ready in just 40 minutes, this high-protein pasta recipe is ideal for busy weeknight dinners or post-workout fuel, serving up a delicious and wholesome option for the entire family.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams Penne pasta
- 2 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 3 pieces Garlic cloves, minced
- 100 grams Low-fat cream cheese
- 50 grams Grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Skim milk
- 100 grams Frozen green peas
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
- 200 grams Chickpeas, canned and drained
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the chicken. Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and black pepper.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Reduce the heat to medium and add the low-fat cream cheese and skim milk. Stir continuously until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Add the cooked chicken, drained chickpeas, and frozen green peas to the skillet. Stir to combine and heat through.
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce.
Serve the penne alfredo hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
545 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 20.3 g | 26% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.3 g | 37% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 102 mg | 34% | |
| Sodium | 1009 mg | 44% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 43.7 g | 16% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.6 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.7 g | ||
| Protein | 45.1 g | 90% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.7 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 309 mg | 24% | |
| Iron | 3.1 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 647 mg | 14% | |
*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.
