Description
This Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo is a creamy and flavorful pasta dish made without dairy or gluten. Featuring juicy chicken, spinach, and a luscious Alfredo sauce, it’s the perfect comfort food for weeknights or entertaining guests with dietary restrictions.
Ingredients
1¼ lbs chicken breast, diced small
1¾ tsp smoked paprika
1½ tsp oregano
1½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp thyme
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt
12 oz gluten-free farfalle (or other short textured pasta)
4 Tbsp dairy-free butter
2 Tbsp minced onion
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder (for sauce)
½ tsp salt (for sauce)
2 cups chicken broth
1⅔ Tbsp gluten-free 1:1 flour
2 cups dairy-free heavy cream
2 cups chopped spinach
8 oz dairy-free shredded Parmesan
2 Tbsp reserved pasta water (optional, to thin sauce)
Oil for cooking
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook gluten-free farfalle until just al dente. Drain and reserve 2 tablespoons of pasta water.
- In a bowl, toss diced chicken with smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, thyme, black pepper, and salt until evenly coated.
- Heat a skillet with a bit of oil over medium heat. Sear chicken for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet.
- In the same skillet, melt dairy-free butter. Add minced onion, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt. Sauté for 1 minute.
- Stir in gluten-free flour to create a roux. Cook for 1 minute.
- Gradually whisk in chicken broth and dairy-free cream. Let simmer until thickened.
- Add chopped spinach and stir until wilted.
- Stir in dairy-free shredded Parmesan and mix until melted. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
- Add cooked pasta and mix until well coated.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet and stir gently to combine. Serve warm.
Notes
Use coconut-based or oat-based dairy-free cream for best results.
Swap chicken with grilled shrimp or mushrooms for variation.
Add steamed broccoli or kale for extra greens.
Use lentil or chickpea pasta for more protein.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently with a splash of dairy-free milk or broth to avoid sauce separation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 586
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
