September 18, 2024

Healthy Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo

chicken and broccoli fettuccine alfredo

Fettuccine Alfredo is one of those classic comfort meal foods. The cheesy buttery sauce is just too good to pass up! But when it comes to eating nutritiously, it isn't always the best fit. Which brings me to this Healthy Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe.

Let's dive into a few reasons we love this guilt-free Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe:

Health Benefits of Our Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Whole Grain Pasta: You'll notice that we used whole grain pasta in this recipe that's because whole grain pasta contains more fiber, which aids digestion and helps you feel fuller for longer. It's also higher in nutrients like B vitamins and minerals compared to refined pasta. Plus - it's the same cost as regular pasta.

Protein Packed Sauce: There is a secret ingredient in our sauce that you don't typically see in Alfredo sauce recipes - cottage cheese! If you're not a cottage cheese lover, don't let this scare you away. Once it's blended up and warmed into the sauce, you'd never know it was there! Cottage cheese is high in protein and calcium while being lower in fat and calories than traditional heavy cream.

Broccoli Powerhouse: It's no secret that broccoli is good for you. The broccoli boosts the dish's nutritional value by providing fiber, vitamins (like C and K), and antioxidants, while also adding a satisfying texture.

Lean Meat: The chicken in this recipe provides a lean, high-quality protein with less saturated fat, supporting heart health.

Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe

Serves approximately four people

Ingredients:

1 lb. cooked, diced, Chicken Breast
2 cups Steamed Broccoli (fresh or frozen)
8 oz Whole Grain Fettuccine Noodles
1 cup Cottage Cheese
1/2 cup Milk
1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese
2 T. Butter
3/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Pepper
1 tsp. Dried Basil
2 Tbs. Corn starch

Instructions:

Prepare broccoli and chicken. Boil pasta according to package instructions.

To make the sauce: add the cottage cheese, milk, and parmesan cheese to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth.

Add cottage cheese mixture to a skillet with the butter. Add salt, pepper and basil. Bring the mixture to a simmer, mixing frequently for 5 minutes.

Combine cornstarch with 1 T. cold water. Slowly pour into simmering cheese mixture. Continue to simmer until desired thickness (approximately 5 minutes).

Sprinkle noodles with diced chicken and broccoli. Top with a generous scoop of alfredo sauce.

healthy chicken and broccoli alfredo recipe

The Cost Breakdown of Our Chicken and Broccoli Fettuccine Alfredo

Below is a summary of the total cost of making this recipe at the time this post was published.

1 lb Chicken Breast	$4.77
2 cups Broccoli	$2.47
8 oz Whole Grain Fettuccine Noodles	$1.43
1 cup Cottage Cheese	$1.12
1/2 cup Milk	$0.10
1/2 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese	$1.14
2 T. Butter	$0.27
TOTAL	$11.30

If you enjoyed this recipe, and want to learn more about cooking nutritiously on a tight budget, make sure to check out our FREE online courses delivered in English and Spanish.