Ingredients
8 oz whole wheat or protein pasta (penne or fettuccine)
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tbsp olive oil
4–5 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup low-fat milk
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Red pepper flakes, to taste (optional)
2 cups fresh spinach or 1 cup steamed broccoli (optional)
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Add chicken to the skillet in a single layer. Cook 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 30–60 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
5. Slowly whisk in the milk, scraping up any browned bits from the skillet. Bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Reduce heat to low and stir in Greek yogurt and Parmesan cheese until smooth and melted.
7. Add Italian seasoning, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Adjust seasoning to taste. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to thin the sauce.
8. Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add spinach, if using, and stir until wilted.
9. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together to coat well.
10. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
Use chickpea or lentil pasta for a gluten-free, protein-rich variation.
Add steamed broccoli or peas for extra fiber and color.
Always stir in Greek yogurt over low heat to prevent curdling.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of milk or water.
Pair with a side salad or crusty whole-grain bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
