Healthy Spaghetti Recipes with Chicken for a Nutritious Meal (2024)

Hello, Foodie! Are you in search of a healthy and nutritious meal that also satisfies your taste buds? Look no further than healthy spaghetti recipes with chicken. This dish is perfect for those who are health-conscious, yet don’t want to sacrifice flavor. With a few simple ingredients and a little creativity, you can whip up a delicious and nutritious meal in no time.

What Makes Spaghetti with Chicken a Healthy Meal?

Spaghetti with chicken is a healthy meal because it is rich in protein and fiber. Protein is essential for building and repairing muscles, while fiber promotes healthy digestion and prevents constipation. Additionally, chicken is a lean meat, which means it is low in saturated fat and cholesterol. Choosing whole-wheat spaghetti instead of refined white pasta increases the fiber content and provides a more nutritious option.

Easy and Nutritious Spaghetti with Chicken Recipe

Here’s a simple and nutritious spaghetti with chicken recipe that you can try:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
  • 1 pound whole-wheat spaghetti
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Instructions:

  1. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through.
  3. Add the garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to the skillet and cook for an additional minute.
  4. Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss to combine.
  5. Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley.

Other Healthy Spaghetti with Chicken Recipes to Try

If you’re looking to mix things up, there are plenty of other healthy spaghetti with chicken recipes to try. Here are a few ideas:

Spaghetti Squash with Chicken and Pesto

This recipe is perfect for those who want to cut back on carbs. Spaghetti squash is a low-carb alternative to pasta and is rich in vitamins and minerals. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

  • 1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
  • 1/2 cup pesto
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Brush the cut sides of the spaghetti squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  3. Place the squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the flesh is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
  4. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through.
  5. Add the pesto to the skillet and stir to combine.
  6. When the spaghetti squash is done, use a fork to scrape the flesh into spaghetti-like strands.
  7. Divide the spaghetti squash between four plates and top with the chicken and pesto mixture.
  8. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.

Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash

This recipe is a healthier version of the classic chicken alfredo pasta dish. Using spaghetti squash instead of pasta and a lighter alfredo sauce, you can enjoy this dish guilt-free. Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

  • 1 spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise and seeded
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup low-fat cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup low-fat milk
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Brush the cut sides of the spaghetti squash with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  3. Place the squash halves cut-side down on a baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the flesh is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
  4. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through.
  5. Add the garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional minute.
  6. Add the cream cheese, milk, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper to the skillet and stir to combine.
  7. When the spaghetti squash is done, use a fork to scrape the flesh into spaghetti-like strands.
  8. Add the spaghetti squash to the skillet with the chicken and alfredo sauce and toss to combine.
  9. Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley.

The Bottom Line

Healthy spaghetti recipes with chicken are a great way to enjoy a nutritious and satisfying meal. With a variety of recipes to choose from, you can switch things up and try new flavors while still sticking to your healthy eating goals. So next time you’re looking for a healthy and delicious meal, give one of these recipes a try!

Spicy Chicken Spaghetti

Spicy food lovers, this one’s for you! This healthy chicken spaghetti recipe is full of flavor and heat. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound whole wheat spaghetti
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:

  1. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sauté for 5-7 minutes, or until cooked through.
  3. Add the onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to the skillet and sauté for 3-5 minutes, or until the vegetables are softened.
  4. Add the chicken broth, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper to the skillet and stir to combine.
  5. Simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
  6. Stir in the cooked spaghetti and cilantro and toss to combine.
  7. Serve hot.

Thank you for reading, Foodie. We hope you found this article informative and helpful. Stay tuned for more interesting articles!

Healthy Spaghetti Recipes with Chicken for a Nutritious Meal (2024)

FAQs

Is spaghetti and chicken good for you? ›

You can also add your choice of protein to your pasta to turn it into a balanced meal. For instance, fish and chicken can add some extra protein to keep you feeling full and satisfied, while broccoli, bell peppers or tomatoes can provide nutrients and additional fiber.

What can I add to spaghetti to make it healthier? ›

Here's a variety of tasty vegetables you can load into your pasta for their flavor, fiber, and nutrients.
  1. Broccoli. Broccoli is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that makes a great addition to any pasta dish. ...
  2. Mushrooms. ...
  3. Peas. ...
  4. Spinach. ...
  5. Tomatoes. ...
  6. Asparagus.
Apr 11, 2022

How much protein is in spaghetti with chicken? ›

Nutrition Information
NutrientsAmount
Dietary Fiber7 g
Total Sugars7 g
Added Sugars included0 g
Protein33 g
10 more rows

Is there a healthy way to eat spaghetti? ›

There are plenty of ways to make pasta fit into your diet. For example, choose whole-grain or bean varieties more often, bulk it up with veggies and protein, and choose sauces with less sodium. If you're gluten-free, you can cook with gluten-free pasta—which has come a long way.

Can spaghetti be a healthy meal? ›

It's Part of a Good Diet

Pasta is made from grain, one of the basic food groups in a healthy diet that also can include vegetables, fruits, fish, and poultry. It's a good source of energy and can give you fiber, too, if it's made from whole grain. That can help with stomach problems and may help lower cholesterol.

What vegetables are good in spaghetti? ›

A bounty from the garden--peas, carrots, onion, garlic, zucchini, tomatoes and basil--makes a delicious pasta topping.

What can I add to spaghetti for more protein? ›

Beans. Mixing cannellini beans or chickpeas, or any type of bean for that matter, into your noodle dishes can help add 6 to 8 grams of protein per 1/2-cup serving.

What is the healthiest type of pasta to eat? ›

Whole-Wheat Pasta

Also called whole-grain pasta, this type of pasta keeps the bran, endosperm, and germ of the grain together. It's filled with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This helps you feel full longer and keeps your blood sugar from spiking. It also has a little over 8 grams of protein per cup cooked.

Which spaghetti is the healthiest? ›

Whole Wheat Spaghetti: This is typically the healthiest choice among the three. It's made from whole wheat flour, which retains the bran and germ, providing more fiber, vitamins, and minerals compared to refined pasta. Whole Wheat Penne: Like whole wheat spaghetti, whole wheat penne is a good choice.

What vegetables to add to pasta? ›

Fresh veggies: Zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, bell peppers, red onion, and grape tomatoes. Flavor-makers: Garlic, dried oregano, fresh thyme, salt, and pepper, and fresh lemon zest. Pasta: A short pasta is best for making sure everything is bite-sized.

Is spaghetti with grilled chicken healthy? ›

Grilled or baked chicken is generally healthier than fried or breaded chicken. Noodles: The type of noodles used can vary. Whole wheat or whole grain noodles are healthier choices than refined white noodles because they provide more fiber and nutrients.

Does spaghetti have more protein than rice? ›

Compared to pasta, rice—brown and white—contains far less protein (roughly 2 grams per serving compared to pasta's 8 grams) and fiber (1 gram for brown rice, . 5 gram for white compared to 2.5 grams in white pasta, 7 grams in whole-wheat).

Is spaghetti high in carbs or protein? ›

Carbs. Made from grain, spaghetti is energy-dense, with more than 200 calories per cup. It is a good source of complex carbohydrates, with more than 40 grams of carbs in one serving. It's not well suited to low-carbohydrate diets, but it is a low-fat food on its own and encouraged as part of a heart-healthy diet.

Is pasta and chicken good for diet? ›

Similarly, eating a load of chicken pasta afterwards will help aid your recovery thanks to its mix of carbohydrates and protein. Not only that, but pasta is low in fat and cholesterol-free, which can contribute to heart health when paired with nutritious toppings and sauces.

Can you eat chicken and pasta? ›

As with a lot of things, there is no reason why you shouldn't eat chicken with pasta. Just as there is no reason why you shouldn't eat pineapple on pizza if that's what you really want.

Is chicken and noodles good for a diet? ›

Chicken noodle soup offers a nutritious blend of protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, many of which can support your immune system while you're sick. While homemade soup is your best bet for limiting your sodium intake, experts say you can still choose a healthy store-bought version.

How many calories in a plate of spaghetti with chicken? ›

Spaghetti, with tomato sauce and chicken (1 cup) contains 46.7g total carbs, 42.9g net carbs, 5.3g fat, 18.4g protein, and 310 calories.

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