Hey, hey hey!!!
How are you doing today? I know I have talked about the weather the past few days, but I am sooooooooo loving it! It’s been sunny and warm. I have major Spring Fever! I don’t want to work or do anything except sit outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Oh how I miss it so much! After all when I had my Physical, my results were perfect, except me, the ex-sun goddess, was lacking in Vitamin D. Crazy!!! I thought with all the sun laying I have done in my lifetime, that I would have built up enough Vitamin D to get me through the rest of my life. But I guess not, I guess that means more sun for me!! But just a little!!
So the weather is nice, yet I am sharing with you today the most cheesy, comforting food I have made in a long time. This is my not one, not two, but Three Cheese Chicken Alfredo. This was sure a treat to make. Last week I was on a major pasta kick, and I had in mind that I wanted to make Chicken Parmesan, but the little vision of my Husband was in my head, with him repeating “I don’t like chicken and tomatoes together.” Gosh I still can’t get over that, but anyway I had chicken to use, so I thought why not make my Chicken Alfredo? I haven’t had that in a long time and next to spaghetti and meatballs it’s my Husbands favorite pasta dish!
This is one of those quick weeknight meals, which makes it even nicer. I did what I could to lighten up an Alfredo sauce without sacrificing flavor, thickness or creaminess. It’s made with 1/3 fat cream cheese, lite mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese, mixed in with some butter and non-fat milk and presto you have a nice thick sauce. When the sauce cools a bit it thickens up very nicely. For the chicken, I just cut up some boneless chicken breast and cooked in a skillet, but to save on time, you could also use already cooked chicken like from a rotisserie chicken. The sauce in general takes less time then waiting for the water for the pasta to boil!
This pasta dish was a hit with my Husband and I saved some left overs for Jenny and the next day she sent me a text message telling me she really enjoyed the pasta. I love that!! It’s nice when someone appreciates a meal that you cook! By the way for the pasta, I used Trader Joe’s High Fiber Penne Pasta, which I really like. I like whole wheat pasta, but my Husband wont’ touch it, so I sneak in healthy pasta with the high fiber. lol!! Hope he doesn’t read this! Otherwise he will get all of my secrets on how I sneak healthy food into his meals.
Juicy chicken served in a rich, creamy parmesan and mozzarella sauce served over a bed of hot fresh penne pasta
Ingredients
- 16 oz Chicken breast, skinless, boneless, cut into bite size pieces
- 12 oz penne pasta or linguine (I used Trader Joe's High Fiber Penne)
- For sauce:
- 1/2 tbsp butter (I used Brummel and Brown)
- 8 oz cream cheese 1/3 less fat (I used Trader Joe's Whipped cream cheese, light)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups nonfat milk
- 3/4 cup light mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- For sauce: Melt butter in sauce pan on medium, add cream cheese and stir till melted and creamy. Add the garlic and pepper. Gradually pour in milk until well blended and creamy. Stir in mozzarella until melted; mix in parmesan cheese.
- Meanwhile: Add chicken to a skillet, and cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally.
- Cook pasta according to directions the same time you start the sauce and chicken.
- To put together; evenly divide pasta among six plates, evenly divide chicken between plates and top with Alfredo sauce.
Notes
Calories per serving: 402.2, Fat: 11.3, Cholesterol: 76.7, Sodium: 363, Potassium: 131.9, Carbs: 44, Fiber: 6, Sugar: 10, Protein: 34.3
Well, that’s it for me, I am on the run again!
Have a super fantastic day!!
Toodles,
Jennifer
Mmm cream cheese alfredo is my favorite. Love the addition on mozzarella too
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie recently posted…Kale Quiche
Thanks Erin! Can’t go wrong with a lot of cheese!
So funny… I’m the same with the high fiber (white) pasta with my family, too!
This looks so delectable! I usually will cook extra chicken for quick dishes like this… perfect! Thank you for sharing this cheesy-licious pasta dish! (=
Gloria @ Simply Gloria recently posted…Mint Triple Chocolate Cookies
I have to laugh, how we have to sneak some nutrition into our families diet! Glad I’m not the only one.
This looks so rich and delicious, mmmm!
cookingactress recently posted…#PhotoAnHour
Thanks, this was one of my treat meals! Sometimes I go through phases where I need lots of cheese!
This looks awesome! Definitely a good, comforting meal!
Little Kitchie recently posted…crispy salted white chocolate oatmeal cookies
Thank you!!
I have made the same sort of Alfredo using lowfat cream cheese! I also like to add butternut squash puree to it to add some vitamins and veggie power! Thanks for sharing another great recipe!
I have used the fat free cream cheese, but it comes out with lumps. I don’t mind the taste but for pictures, I decided to use 1/3 less fat. Ohhhh, I bet it would be great added to butternut squash puree!! Now I want to try that!
Thank you for posting this recipe, for now I know exactly what I’m making for dinner tonight. Plus I have everything I need on hand! I’m in the same boat. My dad won’t eat any pasta that’s not regular pasta. He says he can “taste the difference in flavor of the pasta between regular and whole wheat.” I hardly doubt that! So I use high fiber pasta as well. My mom keeps the boxes from the regular pasta and just puts the healthier pasta in the regular box. As long as he doesn’t see the label, he’ll never know the difference! It’s so sad we have to go through such great lengths to get our families to eat healthier.
Hi Samantha!!! I have to laugh! I think we all have our secrets. Love that your mom keeps the pasta in a regular box, that is to funny!!
Alfredo is one of my favorite dishes!! Delicious recipe
I am also loving the sunny weather we have been having lately!!
I bet it has been beautiful in the city!! Maybe I’ll make a trip there this weekend??
Sunny and warm? Must be nice! I am sitting at my desk with a blanket on my lap like a senior citizen because it’s snowing. Again. But this alfredo is sure to warm me up! Delish!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted…Sugar Free Strawberry Ice Cream Topping #HealthyChoices
Sorry Aimee! But I get what your talking about! I have a blanket and a floor heater near my desk! I’m always cold! Stay warm and comfy!
it’s been sunny and warm here in Baltimore too. I am loving it! I love alfredo anything
Sally recently posted…White Chocolate Lucky Charms Treats.
Thanks Sally! Love this warm weather this time of year, it’s certainly a treat!
Mmmmm, I like creamy pastas
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today recently posted…Cinnamon toast
Me too!!!
Yum! My husband loves alfredo and I am always trying to figure out new ways to lighten it up.
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. recently posted…Ham and Gruyère Crêpes