Protein Veggie Zucchini Noodle Alfredo (Printer-friendly)
Creamy chicken and vegetable Alfredo over zucchini noodles for a high-protein, low-carb Italian-inspired meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), cut into thin strips
→ Vegetables
02 - 4 medium zucchinis, spiralized into noodles
03 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
04 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 cup baby spinach leaves
06 - 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
→ Alfredo Sauce
07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup heavy cream
11 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
14 - Salt, to taste
→ Garnish
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
16 - Additional Parmesan cheese, for serving
# How To Make It:
01 - Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken strips with salt and pepper, add to skillet, and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
02 - Add remaining olive oil to the same skillet. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and peas. Cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly softened.
03 - Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in heavy cream, Parmesan, black pepper, and nutmeg. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens.
04 - Add zucchini noodles and spinach to the skillet. Toss gently to coat with the sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes until zucchini is just tender but still retains some bite.
05 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until heated through and well combined.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Remove from heat and serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- All the indulgent comfort of Alfredo sauce without the heavy carb crash
- Packed with so much protein and vegetables that you actually feel energized afterward
02 -
- Zucchini releases water as it cooks so patting the noodles dry before adding them prevents a watery sauce situation
- The sauce continues thickening off the heat so remove it slightly earlier than you think is necessary
03 -
- For a lighter version substitute half-and-half or a dairy-free alternative though the texture will change slightly
- Cook the sauce slightly longer if using dairy-free alternatives to help it thicken properly