Quick Weeknight Chicken Penne Alfredo {Skinnier, too!}
Two words fast & flavorful. Which make this Chicken Penne Alfredo, with fresh carrots and broccoli, just perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Another bonus? It's a skinnier version of Alfredo, too!
It seems I'm always running ragged with trying to keep up with our family's schedule. Add in squeezing in some extra fun as we near the end of summer, and starting to get ready for back-to-school, and I've needed to rely on quick and easy recipes lately {or take out!} to get meals on the table. Fortunately, this Chicken Penne Alfredo is ready in a flash, and definitely qualifies in the quick and easy category.
When it comes to dealing with all the craziness of life, I'm guilty of turning to grabbing a lot of take-out when we're crazy-busy. Because that certainly makes it easy to get a meal on the table for the family. But you know what? ... A person can only 'take' so much take-out! {ha, ha ... pun totally intended}.
So I'm glad to have this quick and easy Chicken Penne Alfredo dish in my recipe box. Loaded with fresh broccoli and baby carrots coated in a creamy sauce, two words describe this tasty dish fast & flavorful. Which make this just perfect for a quick weeknight meal.
Another bonus? It's a skinnier version of Alfredo, too!
Well, to start with, you cook the pasta, carrots {packaged baby carrots that are all ready to go}, and broccoli florets all in one pot at the same time ... in the pasta cooking water. Score! How quick and easy is that??
If you want, you can even buy the packaged pre-cut broccoli florets, saving the step of cutting up the head of broccoli. Yes, I know it's not super tough to cut up a head of broccoli. But hey, if you're totally pressed for time and looking to save every moment possible, then this is one or two more moments that can be saved. Packaged pre-cut fresh broccoli florets is certainly a shortcut I take full advantage of.
And if you use precooked rotisserie, leftover, or packaged chicken instead of sauteing boneless chicken, you can cut out even more time!
Once the pasta, broccoli, and carrots are cooked and tossed with cooked chicken, simply stir a tub of light cream cheese spread, some milk, and grated Parmesan into the pot to form the creamy sauce.
Which makes it just perfect for a weeknight. Or for those crazy-busy times in life we all seem to have from time to time.
Here's to hoping I get through this crazy-busy time! Quick Chicken Penne Alfredo may just be on the menu quite a bit for a while to help.
Thank you for stopping by . We'd love to have you back soon!
Yield: about 6 servings
Quick Weeknight Chicken Penne Alfredo
Two words fast & flavorful. Which make this Chicken Penne Alfredo, with fresh carrots and broccoli, just perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Another bonus? It's a skinnier version of Alfredo, too!
prep time: 10 Mcook time: 20 Mtotal time: 30 M
ingredients:
- 1 1/2 c. dry penne pasta {I use whole wheat}
- 2 c. baby carrots {from 'the package' already peeled & ready}
- 3 c. fresh broccoli florets
- 1 lb. boneless chicken breasts OR about 2 1/2 c. chopped fully-cooked chicken
- 1 (8 oz.) tub light chive-flavored or garden vegetable-flavored cream cheese spread
- 1/2 c. 2% or skim milk
- 1/3 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 2 T. olive or canola oil
instructions:
How to cook Quick Weeknight Chicken Penne Alfredo
- In a large pot, cook pasta and carrots in salted water according to pasta package directions. When 6 minutes of pasta cooking time remain, add broccoli florets to the pot. Drain pasta and vegetables; return to the pot.
- While the pasta and vegetables cook, cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Heat oil in a saute pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and saute until cooked through.
- Stir cream cheese, milk, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and cooked chicken into the pasta mixture. Stir over low heat until the cream cheese is melted.
- If desired, sprinkle individual servings with additional Parmesan.
Adapted from Better Homes and Gardens Eat Well Lose Weight magazine
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