Description
Speedy Chicken Alfredo
INGREDIENTS
2 cups cottage cheese (2% or full fat)
½ cup freshly grated parmesan, plus more for serving
½ cup milk
2 cloves garlic
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
12 oz Brami lupini penne (or your preferred higher-protein pasta)
1 to 1½ lbs chicken breast, diced
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
¼ cup fresh basil or parsley
Red pepper flakes, cracked black pepper, and extra parmesan for serving
Add cottage cheese, parmesan, milk, garlic, salt, and pepper to a blender. Blend until completely smooth.
Cook pasta in well-salted water according to package directions. Before draining, scoop out about a cup of pasta water in a heat-safe cup and set it aside. You'll use it to adjust the sauce consistency at the end.
Season diced chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken until golden and cooked through. Give it time without stirring in order to get some good browning on the chicken pieces.
Once the chicken is cooked through add a tablespoon of butter to the same pan over medium low heat and let it melt, then pour the blended sauce into the pan and turn the heat to low.
Scrape up all the browned bits on the bottom of the pan to add flavor to the sauce.
Add in the pasta. The sauce does thicken once the pasta goes in, so if it seems a bit thin, never fear. But, if it's too thick, add in some of the extra pasta water 1/4 cup at a time until you get your desired consistency.
Finish with freshly grated parmesan, fresh herbs, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little heat.