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Healthy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta

A lighter, flavor-packed weeknight dinner that balances creamy comfort with wholesome ingredients, featuring whole wheat pasta, chicken, and Greek yogurt.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 400

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Main Ingredients
  • 8 oz whole wheat penne or fettuccine
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 2 cups baby spinach optional but recommended
Cooking Ingredients
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup low-fat milk (1% or 2%)
  • 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Method
 

Cooking the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the whole wheat pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set pasta aside.
Cooking the Chicken
  1. While pasta cooks, pat chicken cubes dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate.
Building the Sauce
  1. Reduce heat to medium, add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, then add minced garlic and sauté 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Stir in whole wheat flour and cook for 30 seconds.
  3. Slowly whisk in chicken broth and low-fat milk, scraping any browned bits from the pan. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Finishing the Sauce
  1. Remove the skillet from heat briefly to prevent yogurt from curdling. Whisk in plain non-fat Greek yogurt until smooth, then stir in grated Parmesan until melted and the sauce is creamy. If needed, return to very low heat and thin with reserved pasta water to reach desired consistency.
Combining and Serving
  1. Add cooked chicken, drained pasta, and baby spinach to the sauce. Toss gently until spinach wilts and everything is evenly coated.
  2. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and an extra sprinkle of Parmesan if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Serve this dish straight from the pan while warm. Pair with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables for extra color and nutrients. A squeeze of fresh lemon over the top brightens the flavors. For a lighter meal, serve smaller portions of pasta alongside extra steamed vegetables.