Creamy Basil Chicken Pasta

Craving a comforting bowl of pasta? Try making this diabetes-friendly creamy basil chicken pasta to take it up a notch! The homemade sauce made of fresh herbs adds a burst of flavor that’ll make this a family favorite recipe.

📝 Ingredients

• baby spinach 5.00 oz
• flat leaf parsley 0.50 cup packed
• fresh basil 1.25 cup fresh basil leaves divided use
• 1/4 cup sliced thinly for topping
• Plain Nonfat Greek yogurt 2.00 tbsp
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2.00 tbsp divided use
• garlic 1.00 tsp minced
• onion powder 0.50 tsp
• flour 2.00 tbsp
• skim milk 3.00 cup fat-free milk
• cheese 0.25 cup reduced-fat Italian cheese
• Italian seasoning 0.50 tsp no-salt-added Italian seasoning
• Kosher Salt 0.25 tsp
• black pepper 0.25 tsp
• nonstick cooking spray 0.25 g 1 spray
• 0.25g
• boneless
• skinless chicken breasts 1.00 lbs halved lengthwise into thin filets
• whole wheat penne pasta 2.00 cup cooked
• Parmesan cheese 2.00 tbsp grated
• grape tomatoes 1.00 cup optional

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add baby spinach to the pot and blanch for 1 minute. Use a slotted spoon to remove the spinach to a bowl of ice water. Add parsley and 1 packed cup of basil to the pot and blanch for 15 seconds. Remove and add to the bowl of ice water with the spinach. Drain water and squeeze out as much liquid from the greens as possible.
2. 2Add spinach
3. 3parsley
4. 4and basil to a food processor. Add Greek yogurt to the food processor
5. 5then purée. Set aside.
6. 6Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil
7. 7garlic
8. 8and onion powder. Add flour and whisk for 1 minute. Add milk and whisk until smooth.
9. 9Add cheese
10. 10Italian seasoning
11. 11salt (optional)
12. 12and pepper. Stir until sauce is thickened (about 10 minutes). Add puréed greens and stir to combine.
13. 13Meanwhile
14. 14heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spray with nonstick cooking spray. Cook chicken for 3–4 minutes per side
15. 15until golden brown and cooked through.
16. 16Cook pasta according to package directions to al dente stage.
17. 17To serve
18. 18divide chicken and pasta between plates. Top with sauce
19. 19Parmesan
20. 20and remaining thinly sliced basil. Top with diced grape tomatoes if desired.