Garlic Parmesan Hen Is A Weight Watchers Weeknight Custom

Garlic Parmesan Hen Pasta has all of the flavors of Italy you’re keen on—juicy hen, savory garlic, and wealthy Parmesan—made lighter and full of veggies. By swapping heavy cream for a cornstarch-thickened skim milk base, lowering the pasta, and including broccoli, this dish is each satisfying and Weight Watchers-friendly.

This one-pan recipe is fast, simple, and excellent for weeknight dinners or particular events. Able to take pleasure in guilt-free consolation meals? Don’t overlook to take a look at our different Weight Watchers dinner recipes!

Why must you strive Garlic Parmesan Hen Pasta?

After experiencing extremely restrictive diets, I discovered a helpful lesson about steadiness. Everyone knows what occurs with strict limitations – the inevitable binge consuming happens, typically unconsciously, resulting in abandoning our well being objectives completely. As a substitute, whenever you’re craving creamy pasta, make this acutely aware alternative: put together it with more healthy elements whereas sustaining the flavors you’re keen on. This recipe helps forestall these pasta binges that go away you feeling responsible afterward.

• It’s sensible: The mixture of lean protein from the hen and added greens creates a filling meal that aligns along with your factors finances.
• It’s versatile and simple: It comes collectively rapidly in a single baking dish, minimizing cleanup time – a vital issue when sustaining wholesome consuming habits long-term.
• It’s made more healthy: This model maintains the consolation meals essence of conventional Garlic Parmesan Hen whereas considerably lowering the calorie content material. The intelligent use of cornstarch-thickened broth creates that luxurious sauce texture with out heavy cream.

Prep Time: quarter-hour
Cook dinner Time: half-hour
Whole Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Serving Measurement: 500 g.

9 WW Factors Per Serving. You may view the recipe on the WW App here. (WW login required.) 

Components

• 2 cups fusili pasta (200g)
• 4 cups broccoli florets (340g)
• 2 cups skimmed milk (480ml)
• 1 cup plain low-fat Greek yogurt (245g)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50g), plus extra for serving
• 4 cloves garlic, minced (12g)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch (16g)
• 1 teaspoon olive oil (5ml)
• 2 cups cooked shredded hen breast (280g)
• 2 cups hen broth (480ml)
• 1 teaspoon salt (6g)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper (2g)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a bowl, season shredded hen with half the minced garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Put aside.
2. In a measuring cup, whisk cornstarch with ½ cup of the hen broth till clean. Add remaining broth and stir till nicely mixed.
3. Grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with olive oil. Layer raw pasta evenly throughout the underside of the dish.
4. Organize seasoned hen over the pasta layer, then distribute broccoli florets evenly on prime.
5. Pour the cornstarch-broth combination and skimmed milk over the layers. Add remaining garlic, salt, and pepper. Gently press down with a spatula to make sure the pasta is submerged.
6. Cowl tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes.
7. Take away foil, sprinkle with ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, and bake uncovered for a further 5 minutes till cheese melts.
8. Take away from oven and let relaxation for five minutes. Stir in Greek yogurt and remaining Parmesan cheese till nicely mixed.

Word: Take a look at pasta doneness earlier than serving. If wanted, cowl and cook dinner for added 5-minute intervals till pasta reaches desired tenderness.

Variations and Substitutions

This Garlic Parmesan Hen Pasta adapts to no matter elements you’ve got readily available. Listed here are some confirmed variations:

1. Strive including mushrooms or inexperienced peas to extend quantity whereas protecting factors low.
2. Low-fat ham cubes add protein and a smoky taste to the dish.
3. Relating to pasta choice, entire grain varieties present extra fiber. 
4. You understand how spaghetti can typically flip into one large, strong block? That’s why I choose brief pasta shapes for creamy sauces – they’re a lot friendlier to work with! Fusilli, penne, and farfalle keep properly separated whereas cooking, plus they seize onto the sauce in all their nooks and crannies.

Suggestions and Methods for Excellent Garlic Parmesan Hen Pasta

1. Place the pasta as the underside layer in your baking dish, submerged within the broth and milk combination. This helps the pasta cook dinner evenly and take in flavors.
2. Use concentrated hen broth for higher taste – the pasta absorbs it throughout baking. Select low-sodium varieties to manage salt content material.
3. Serve recent and scorching for finest outcomes. For leftovers, retailer in an hermetic container. When reheating, add a splash of skimmed milk and stir. Warmth briefly intervals within the microwave, stirring between every.
4. Let the dish relaxation for 5-7 minutes after eradicating from the oven earlier than including Parmesan and Greek yogurt. This permits the sauce to thicken and prevents the yogurt from separating.