Description
This Dairy-Free Chicken Alfredo is a creamy, comforting pasta dish made without any dairy. Perfect for those with dietary restrictions, it features tender chicken, gluten-free pasta, and a rich, cashew-based Alfredo sauce that’s both healthy and delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 12 oz gluten-free fettuccine or pasta of choice
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked in hot water for 20 minutes)
- 1 cup unsweetened dairy-free milk (e.g., almond or oat)
- 4 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2–1 cup reserved pasta water (as needed to thin sauce)
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Soak cashews in hot water for 20 minutes, then drain.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
- In a blender, combine soaked cashews, dairy-free milk, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Return cooked pasta to the pot or a large skillet. Pour in the cashew Alfredo sauce and mix well. Add reserved pasta water gradually to achieve desired sauce consistency.
- Add cooked chicken to the pasta and stir to combine. Heat gently until everything is warmed through.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use a high-speed blender for the smoothest sauce.
- Soaking cashews longer (up to 2 hours) can improve creaminess.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- This recipe works well with other proteins or vegetables too.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
