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I write this post as I’m eying the digital clock at the upper corner of my computer screen. Not since kindergarten have I started classes after 11 a.m. and let me tell you, it feels weird. The culinary arts program I attend only offers night-time classes and the concept is still bizarre to me. I bolt out of bed every morning ready to start the day when I have to remind myself I still have over nine hours till class starts.
I usually work nights during the week at my part-time job, so my days have become spare. I’ve started to get used to this new schedule, though, especially when I realized it opened up a glorious amount of time for cooking and taking photos during when the sun is flooding through my windows (yay!). This Chicken-Zucchini Alfredo was a by-product of my newly discovered day-time freedom when I went through all of my old cooking magazines and organized my favorite recipes into a binder. This gem made it into that binder and now onto your screen where I hope you’ll save it to your list of favorite recipes. I usually don’t go for “low-fat” anything but sometimes you want to feel like you’re indulging without also feeling the side effects (for example: “Since when do these jeans not fit…?”). I wouldn’t trust anyone else to nail a “low-fat” recipe except for Ellie Krieger, who wrote this one in March’s issue of Food Network Magazine. Its healthy, easy, and utilizes the perfect compromise of pantry ingredients and fresh ingredients.
How do you pass the time when you manage to snag a spare day?
Taste: Looking at the low-fat and otherwise inconspicuous ingredients made me wonder if this dish would have any flavor. Turns out I had no need to worry as this dish, while simple, was tasty. Sometimes the best meals are the simplest ones where every single ingredient is registered by your taste buds, like a speck of pepper or parsley.
Texture: The thick and silky sauce coats your tongue while you sink your teeth into the firm pasta and tear apart the tender chicken and soft zucchini. This is the best textured low-fat Alfredo sauce I’ve tasted.
Ease: This recipe does make a bit of a mess in the kitchen with multiple pots, pans, bowls, and utensils but there is nothing complicated about making it.
Appearance: The half-moon shaped green zucchini really pop out among the otherwise bland colored long pieces of chicken and fettuccine.
Pros: No guilt inducing, simple ingredients makes this dish a summer staple.
Cons: None, really.
Would I make this again? Summer staple!
Chicken-Zucchini Alfredo
From Food Network Magazine March 2010
- kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 zucchini, thinly sliced into half-moons
- 4 4-oz thin skinless, boneless chicken breasts
- freshly ground pepper
- 12 oz whole-wheat fettuccine
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 cup cold low-fat milk (I used 2% because that’s what I had)
- 1/2 cup evaporated nonfat milk
- 3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan chese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add half the garlic and cook 30 seconds, being careful not to burn. Add the zucchini, cover and cook until tender, stirring, about 6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
2. Heat another tablespoon oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook through, 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
3. Cook the pasta in the boiling water as package directs. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water; return the pasta to the pot.
4. Meanwhile, whisk the flour and low-fat milk in a bowl. Place the remaining garlic and 1 tablespoon oil in the skillet and cook over medium-high heat, 30 seconds. Add the flour-milk mixture and bring to a boil, stirring. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring; 2 minutes. Add the evaporated milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the cheese; stir to melt, 1 minute.
5. Cut the chicken into strips. Toss with the pasta, sauce, zucchini, and parsley, adding the reserved pasta water to loosen if necessary.
Delicious!! I didn’t have evaporated milk so I just added half a cup more of the milk and it was excellent!
I just made this for dinner!! One of my favorite dishes I have ever made. Granted I am a beginner cook. That being said, this is an extremely tasty, and easy to prepare meal.
I made a couple changes to suit my taste, and what I had on-hand. First, I used skim milk, and regular evaporated milk. I also just about doubled the parmesan cheese, as well as the garlic. I also added 1 tsp onion powder to the alfredo, and cooked the chicken under the broiler (only for the sake of multitasking) with garlic salt and pepper, rather than only s&p.
YUMMM! I urge you to make this dish!!!
This was gone in 2 days and it is just my boyfriend and I at home.. Thank you for posting this! It was so YUMMY in my TUMMY!! 🙂
What a great recipe! It looks so fresh and healthy, yet comforting 🙂
Heidi xo
I am so glad I found this recipe. We had this tonight for supper and even the little one ate cleaned her plate. This is a winner in our house.
Yummy looking recipe.
Love the idea of adding zucchini to a chicken alfredo. Looks great!
Oops, hit the button too soon. The above comment was mine!
Robyn
What a glorious dish – it combines some of my very favourite ingredients. Yum!
Great recipe for using up the summer zucchini!