Healthier 30-Minute Chicken Spinach Alfredo Recipe

Name: Healthier 30-Minute Chicken Spinach Alfredo
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 pound Penne Pasta; 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter; 2 cloves Garlic, Minced; 4 Tablespoons All-purpose Flour; 2 cups Skim Milk; 2 Tablespoons Light Cream Cheese; 1/4 cups Parmesan Cheese, Shredded; 2 cups Cooked, Shredded Chicken; 2 cups Fresh Spinach, Chopped; 1 pinch Salt And Pepper, to taste

Servings: persons

1
1.
2
Cook the penne in a pot of very salty water according to package instructions for al dente.
3
2.
4
While the pasta cooks, melt butter in a separate large saucepan over medium heat.
5
Add garlic and saute until fragrant and cooked through, about 2 minutes.
6
3.
7
Add flour to the garlic butter and whisk to combine and form a roux.
8
Let roux cook for 1-2 minutes.
9
4.
10
Add milk a little at a time, whisking to incorporate roux and work out any lumps.
11
Milk will thicken up quickly at the beginning, but as you whisk in the rest of the milk it will loosen the sauce.
12
Cook, whisking occasionally, until sauce has thickened, about 6 minutes.
13
5.
14
Add cream cheese to sauce and whisk until cheese has melted.
15
Let sauce continue to cook until pasta is ready.
16
6.
17
Before you drain the pasta, reserve a few ladles of the pasta water (I reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water per pound of pasta I cook) and set aside.
18
Once youve done that, transfer the pasta to a colander, drain the rest of the pasta water, and set the pasta aside while you finish the sauce.
19
7.
20
Stir Parmesan cheese, shredded chicken, and spinach into sauce.
21
Stir until cheese has melted.
22
8.
23
The sauce might be a bit thick at this point.
24
If so, add reserved pasta water 1/4 cup at at time and stir until combined to loosen the sauce.
25
You may not need all of the pasta water; use just enough so that the sauce reaches your desired consistency.
26
9.
27
Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as necessary.
28
You may not need to add much salt, since the pasta water is quite salty.
29
10.
30
Add cooked pasta to sauce and stir until the sauce evenly coats the noodles.
31
Serve immediately.

883

kcal

Calories

Fat

105

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Use a neutral oil or a plant-based spread in place of butter for a dairy-free version.
A good 1:1 gluten-free flour blend works well if you need a gluten-free version.
Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 10 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 pound Penne Pasta, 4 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, 2 cloves Garlic, Minced, 4 Tablespoons All-purpose Flour, and more.

Yes, Healthier 30-Minute Chicken Spinach Alfredo falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Healthier 30-Minute Chicken Spinach Alfredo

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions