Description
A delicious and healthy Creamy Protein Pasta Bowl featuring whole grain pasta, grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, and a tangy Greek yogurt-based sauce. This dish is perfect for a nutritious, protein-packed meal that’s creamy without the heaviness of traditional cream sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 8 oz whole grain pasta
- 12 oz grilled chicken breast, sliced
Vegetables
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup spinach, fresh
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the whole grain pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Onion: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes, or until it becomes translucent and fragrant.
- Add Garlic and Bell Pepper: Stir in the minced garlic and sliced red bell pepper. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the peppers soften slightly.
- Cook Spinach: Add fresh spinach to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted but still vibrant in color.
- Add Tomatoes and Chicken: Incorporate the halved cherry tomatoes and sliced grilled chicken breast into the skillet. Mix well to combine and heat through.
- Prepare Sauce: In a separate bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, grated Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, black pepper, salt, and Italian seasoning to create a creamy, tangy sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Vegetables: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the chicken and vegetables. Stir well to evenly distribute ingredients.
- Toss with Sauce: Pour the creamy Greek yogurt sauce over the pasta mixture. Toss everything together gently until the pasta is evenly coated and warmed.
- Garnish and Serve: Serve the creamy protein pasta bowl hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley to enhance flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute grilled chicken with sautéed mushrooms or tofu.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make the recipe gluten-free.
- If preferred, swap Greek yogurt with a dairy-free yogurt to make it lactose-free, but adjust seasoning accordingly.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently to avoid drying out the sauce.
- Feel free to add crushed red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approximately 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: creamy protein pasta, whole grain pasta recipe, healthy chicken pasta, Greek yogurt sauce, quick protein meal
