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Rich Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe Easy Creamy Healthy Dinner

dairy-free chicken alfredo pasta - featured image
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A creamy, luscious dairy-free chicken Alfredo pasta made with cashews and coconut milk, perfect for a healthy and comforting dinner without any dairy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • ½ cup (70 g) raw cashews, soaked in hot water for at least 30 minutes
  • 1 cup (240 ml) full-fat canned coconut milk
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • ½ cup (120 ml) unsweetened almond milk
  • 12 oz (340 g) gluten-free or regular fettuccine pasta
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Soak the cashews in hot water for at least 30 minutes to soften.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook fettuccine pasta according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and save ½ cup (120 ml) pasta water.
  3. Pat dry chicken breasts and season with salt, pepper, and dried Italian herbs if using.
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 75°C). Remove and let rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
  5. Lower heat to medium and sauté minced garlic in the same skillet for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  6. Drain soaked cashews and blend with coconut milk, sautéed garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth (1-2 minutes). Add almond milk 1 tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
  7. Pour sauce into skillet and warm gently over medium heat. Add cooked pasta and sliced chicken, tossing to coat evenly. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce.
  8. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or lemon juice. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top.
  9. Serve immediately while hot.

Notes

Soak cashews properly to ensure a silky smooth sauce. Use a high-speed blender for best texture. Keep heat low when warming sauce to prevent separation. Rest chicken before slicing to keep it juicy. Save pasta water to loosen sauce if needed. Nutritional yeast is key for cheesy flavor without dairy.

Nutrition

Keywords: dairy-free, chicken Alfredo, creamy pasta, healthy dinner, dairy-free pasta, gluten-free option, plant-based sauce, cashew sauce, coconut milk, easy dinner

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/rich-dairy-free-chicken-alfredo-pasta-recipe-easy-creamy-healthy-dinner/