Guiltless Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli is a tasty and healthy dinner recipe that uses a lighter version of the classic sauce. There is no butter, heavy cream or cream cheese in this yummy sauce, but it is still creamy, thick and super flavorful!
Y’all they are still talking about this one!! It has been at least a month since I made this and I have been wanting to get it up on the blog and just haven’t gotten to it…I am so sorry guys because this is one that you are going to want to put in your back pocket.
I made this Guiltless Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli one evening that I was craving Fettuccine Alfredo but didn’t want the fat, calories and guilt that would certainly come if I made a tradional version. I had already laid out chicken for dinner (I certainly could be perfectly happy with a meatless meal but the rest of the gang would not. The added protein doesn’t hurt either & I do stay fuller a while longer when I include it) and I had a bag of broccoli florets in the frig that needed to get used up.
I found this recipe from a blog that I love! I know I can always trust Ali’s recipes, Gimme Some Oven and decided to use her alfredo sauce along with my chicken breasts, broccoli and whole grain rotini pasta to create my Guiltless Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli.
I really had to pat myself on the back with this one 😉 I didn’t tell anyone that the sauce was a “healthier” alfredo until after dinner…he…he 😉 In fact my fiancé gave me this “you’ve got to be kidding me” look when I told him what was for dinner. Of course, I left of “guiltless” and just said, “oh we are having Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli.”
The alfredo sauce comes together just using olive oil, fresh garlic, flour, chicken broth, milk and parmesan cheese. No butter, no cream of any kind and no cream cheese! Just add a little salt, pepper and crushed red pepper at the end for seasoning and you’ve got it!! You’re probably thinking that it couldn’t possibly have all the yummy flavor of a more traditional alfredo but I promise you that it does!!
Are you convinced to give it a shot yet? I promise you won’t be disappointed and in fact you just might be the dinnertime hero 🙂 Okay, let’s get to the recipe…
Here is your recipe for Guiltless Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli:
- 1 box (14 oz.) whole grain rotini pasta (or any other shape)
- 1 lb. fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil (divided)
- 1 large, sweet, yellow onion; chopped
- 4-5 cloves of garlic; minced or pressed (divided)
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts; chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tbsp. flour
- 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup 1% lowfat milk
- ¾ cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flake (more or less or none depending on preference)
- sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
- Cook pasta to al-dente according to package instructions in a large pot. Add the broccoli to the boiling water for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Reserve 1 cup starchy cooking water right before draining pasta and broccoli. Turn off heat. Drain pasta and broccoli and return to hot pot. Set aside, cover to keep warm.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp. of the olive oil to the pan and chopped onion and half of the garlic. Sauté the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes or until the onion is turning translucent and soft.
- Add the chopped chicken to the pan and sauté the chicken for 5 minutes or until cooked through and slightly browned on all sides. Turn off heat and set aside.
- Heat a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Add remaining olive oil and garlic to the pan. Sauté garlic for about one minute, stirring constantly. Sprinkle the flour into the pot and stir to combine, cooking the flour for an additional minute.
- Slowly pour the chicken broth into the pan and whisk until combined and no flour lumps remain. Add the milk and whisk to combine. Bring the mixture to a slow boil, whisking continuously until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat.
- Add parmesan cheese, crushed red pepper flake (if using), salt and pepper. Stir to combine and melt the parmesan.
- Add chicken, alfredo sauce and starchy cooking water to the pot that contains the pasta and broccoli. Stir to combine and check seasonings to see if any additional is needed.
- Serve immediately with additional parmesan cheese for garnish, a simple green salad and crusty whole grain bread.
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I just saw this photograph on IG, Becky! I needed to know how you made this delicious dish. Thank you for sharing. I think I have most of these ingredients at my house and am going to try it out soon. 🙂 I love alfredo, but my stomach can’t handle all of the cream and butter in the normal version. This looks like a great solution!
Thanks so much for checking it out Erin!! I hope you will give this a try and it is your solution having alfredo again!! We all loved it!!
How wonderful to find a guiltless alfredo recipe! I printed it and I’ll try it for sure!
This looks like an amazing recipe. I am always looking for ways to make traditional dishes more healthy. You nailed it with this one! Thanks for sharing,
Oh this looks so good. I would love a bowl right now. My kids would even eat this which I love so I’ll have to try it sometime!
Oh I agree with your husband. That’s guiltless? I need to pin this! Alfredo pasta is one of my all time favorite comfort foods.
I definitely want to make some of this asap! It looks so good, especially with the extra kick from the red pepper flakes!
This looks sooooo good. My boys are pasta lovers…and broccoli, too, surprisingly…can’t wait to try it!
Ahhh I love alfredo <3 Definitely one of my faves! 🙂 What a great healthy version of it! I will be checking it out!
OH yum your recipe and dish looks and sounds amazing. I love anything with chicken and the fact that it’s guiltless makes this all the better. Thanks so much for sharing.
Looks delicious! I am dieting and I’d love to try this. Thanks for the recipe.
Going to try this soon..My kids love broccoli, given its nutrition content makes it even more appetizing.
This is a winner combo because it’s both delicious and healthy. My family is a huge fan of pastas & broccoli ( yup, surprise! ) and I will surprise my folks at home one time with this Guiltless Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli recipe.
Oh my this chicken alfredo looks amazing. I love that you added broccoli in it. I will make it soon
This looks delicious I love alfredo and this seems so much better for me – and thank you for the recipe – I really like the idea of whole grain rotini pasta
I totally want this now! I’m a huge sucker for chicken alfredo!
I love Chicken and Alfredo. Bonus to add Broccoli!!
Ok, I will definitely ask my wife to make this at Father’s Day! Looks so delicious :). So yummy!
I made chicken alfredo last night and boy did I feel guilty. Pinning so that I can make it healthier.
That looks delish. I don’t usually go for white sauces (lactose-intolerant) but a lighter one may be just the ticket!
This looks amazing, I’m going to have to give it a try.
Oh so yummy. I am bookmarking.
Chicken and broccoli are always such a good match. This is a perfect weeknight dinner!
This looks delicious! I love the ingredients and that it’s guiltless :).
Looks delicious! I love the Alfredo taste and with the chicken and broccoli it’s a complete meal. Thank you for sharing.
I love alfredo sauce but my waistline definitely doesn’t! I can’t wait to try this! And your pics are so pretty!
Sounds perfect! I am SUCH a huge fan of cheese sauce / alfredo, so any opportunity to make it healthier is welcomed in my house. Just in time to start the New Year and “healthier” choices, too! <3
Yum, I love this healthier version.
Excellent recipe! It was a win with the family tonight! Nice to have a healthier alternative for this classic favorite!
Thank you so much!! I am so glad that y’all enjoyed it 🙂
approximately how many calories in one serving?