Description
This high-protein chicken alfredo recipe combines tender, seared chicken thighs with creamy cottage cheese sauce and perfectly cooked fettuccine, resulting in a rich, satisfying meal packed with protein, flavor, and creaminess. It’s a healthier twist on traditional Alfredo, using cottage cheese to boost the protein content while maintaining a smooth, decadent texture.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Protein & Chicken
- 1.25 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
Pasta & Sauce
- 12 ounces fettuccine
- 16 ounces cottage cheese, blended until smooth
- 4 cloves garlic, slivered
- 1.25 cups Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, shredded, divided
- 1/2 cup milk
Additional
- 4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Add 2 teaspoons olive oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper on both sides. Once the oil is hot and glistening, add the chicken. Sear for about 5-6 minutes on one side until golden, then flip and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165F. Remove from pan and let rest.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Chicken: Once rested, transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes. Then, thinly slice the chicken into strips.
- Make Sauce: Place cottage cheese in a blender or food processor and blend for 3-5 minutes until smooth and creamy. In the same skillet used for chicken, add another 2 teaspoons olive oil and sauté slivered garlic until fragrant and slightly browned, about 1 minute. Pour in the blended cottage cheese, 1 cup of Parmesan, and milk. Turn heat to low and whisk continuously until Parmesan is melted and sauce is smooth.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently until everything is coated evenly. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- Serve: Garnish with the remaining Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, and additional cracked black pepper if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a creamier sauce, add a splash more milk or blend the cottage cheese longer.
- You can substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if preferred; adjust cooking time accordingly.
- For added flavor, sprinkle with red pepper flakes or freshly grated nutmeg.
- Ensure not to overcook the pasta to keep it from becoming mushy once combined with the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 250g)
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 66g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
