Low Fat Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta

Indulge in the luscious flavors of this Low Fat Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta—a lightened-up twist on a classic comfort dish! Featuring tender bites of seasoned chicken breast, nutrient-packed whole wheat penne, and a velvety garlic sauce made with low-fat cream cheese and a touch of Parmesan, this recipe achieves rich, creamy perfection without the guilt. Fresh spinach adds a burst of color and nutrition, while zesty lemon and parsley deliver a fresh, vibrant finish. Ready in just 40 minutes, this easy, family-friendly meal is perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prepping. Packed with flavor, low in fat, and loaded with wholesome ingredients, this is the ultimate healthy pasta recipe you'll keep coming back to!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 12 ounces whole wheat penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 4 ounces low-fat cream cheese
• 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

Directions

Step 1

Cook the whole wheat penne pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, slice the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3

In a large nonstick skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is browned on the outside and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, or until fragrant.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to medium and pour in the low-sodium chicken broth. Bring it to a simmer and then add the low-fat cream cheese. Stir continuously until the cream cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.

Step 6

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and continue to cook the sauce for another 2-3 minutes until it's slightly thickened.

Step 7

Add the fresh spinach to the sauce and cook for about 1 minute, or until wilted.

Step 8

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and combine it with the sauce.

Step 9

Add the cooked pasta, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Toss until everything is well coated and heated through.

Step 10

Sprinkle the lemon zest and freshly chopped parsley over the pasta, and give it one final toss.

Step 11

Serve the creamy garlic chicken pasta warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1274.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2518.5

Total Fat 63.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 22.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 446.1mg	0%
Sodium 2465.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 262.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 27.0g	0%
Total Sugars 17.4g
Protein 204.3g	0%

Vitamin D 22.7IU	0%
Calcium 669.5mg	0%
Iron 18.4mg	0%
Potassium 2985.6mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 23.4%

Protein: 33.6%

Carbs: 43.1%