Healthy Chicken Alfredo: KID and HUSBAND approved!

Cameron and the kids are always requesting chicken alfredo. It is such a comfort food, but so heavy- I will make it for them but then not eat it myself. This goes against all my rules that we all eat the same thing, together. With all of the latest cottage cheese trends, I thought: why not alfredo sauce? I played with a few different recipes, and this one is a winner! Last night when I made it, my 10 year old, Auggie, said, "mom, this is the best chicken alfredo I have ever had!". I waited until he was done eating to tell him it was the "healthy" version.

Ingredients:

-Chicken Breast, seasoned and grilled- as much as you need for your body!

-Pasta- I prefer penne or bite sized pasta over fettucine or spaghetti because it is less mess with the kids- but you do you! Like the chicken, cook up however much you need for yourself or family.

-Veggies: I love to sneak veggies into a sauce like this to know I am getting my family some more nutrient dense foods. I love to add some steamed broccoli and carrots to this pasta to add some color, but you do you!

Now to the good part: the sauce- this recipe is for SIX servings

1 cup Low-fat Cottage Cheese

1 cup Milk (whatever fat percentage you like) + 1 more cup for later

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons flour

2 teaspoons chopped garlic

1 teaspoon Spice World Chili Onion Crunch (SO good- if you don't have this, opt for 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion and 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes)

1 teaspoon Garlic/Herb Blend seasoning- whatever you have around!

2 tablespoons parmesan cheese (powdered or grated- either works!)

To make the sauce:

-Blend the cottage cheese and one cup of milk together in blender until smooth. Set aside.

-In large sauce pan melt butter, when melted and bubbling, add flour, barlic, chili onion crunch (or alternative), and seasoning and mix well into paste with wire whisk. Slowly add in second cup of milk a couple tablespoons at a time while continuing to whisk, making sure the mixture smooths out and thickens before adding more milk. Once all of the milk is added and the sauce is thickening and boiling, add cottage cheese/milk blended mixture and continue stirring. Add parmesan cheese and continue stirring until sauce reaches thickness to your liking.

When sauce is done, toss your noodles and grilled chicken on a large plate and ladle sauce over the top. Enjoy!

Nutrition per serving of SAUCE: Calories 139, Carb 8, Fat 8, Protein 9

Nutrition per serving with one cup penne pasta and six ounces chicken breast: Calories: 622, Carb 50, F16, Protein 59.

***Keep in mind one serving of Chicken Alfredo at Olive Garden is 1480 Calories. What a great alternative to a favorite comfort food!