Parsnip Noodle Chicken Alfredo

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This parsnip noodle chicken alfredo is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free. It’s a healthier take on the classic chicken alfredo recipe that’s absolutely delicious.  All thanks to spiralized parsnip noodles and my vegan alfredo sauce, which you’re gonna love!

(gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo) This parsnip noodle chicken alfredo is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free. It's a healthier take on the classic chicken alfredo that's absolutely delicious.

Parsnip Noodle Chicken Alfredo

I had a feeling that my recent Spiralizer Beginner’s Guide post would be popular, but wowzers, it’s been off-the-charts. And the video in that post is now the fastest growing video on my YouTube channel. Woohoo. I’m doing a happy dance over here.

It makes me abundantly happy when you guys like my recipes and videos. I love veggie noodles as a naturally gluten-free pasta alternative, so I had a hunch that you would as well.

(gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo) This parsnip noodle chicken alfredo is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free. It's a healthier take on the classic chicken alfredo that's absolutely delicious.

(gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo) This parsnip noodle chicken alfredo is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free. It's a healthier take on the classic chicken alfredo that's absolutely delicious.

(gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo) This parsnip noodle chicken alfredo is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free. It's a healthier take on the classic chicken alfredo that's absolutely delicious.

Spiralizing Parsnips

There’s lots of options when it comes to spiralizing, but today we’re zeroing in on parsnips as our veggie noodle of choice and making one amazingly delicious meal – a parsnip noodle chicken alfredo.

It’s *almost* like a classic chicken alfredo, but we’re swapping parsnip noodles for regular pasta and using my Vegan Alfredo Sauce for a dairy-free take on alfredo sauce. So this final dish is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free.

I know those photos may have you fooled. Because let’s be honest, it looks like a real deal pasta dish! But nope. It’s all about the parsnip noodles.

(gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo) This parsnip noodle chicken alfredo is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free. It's a healthier take on the classic chicken alfredo that's absolutely delicious.

(gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo) This parsnip noodle chicken alfredo is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free. It's a healthier take on the classic chicken alfredo that's absolutely delicious.

A Healthy Chicken Alfredo Recipe

So let’s talk about the benefits of this meal. Not only are you eating more veggies (always a good thing), you’re also getting more nutrients with less calories.

Traditional alfredo pasta is not exactly known as being a “light” dish. In fact, most people complain that their stomachs are weighed down. That’s because all the cheese, milk and wheat pasta does a number on your digestion and blood sugar levels.

Not so with this parsnip noodle chicken alfredo. The vegan alfredo sauce is still thick, but the cashew-based sauce doesn’t weigh you down. You can use all the alfredo sauce or 3/4 of it (like I did), depending on how creamy you want it. But either way, the noodles still aren’t swimming in sauce like they are in the traditional version. Here, we’re going after flavor rather than a weighed-down gut.

I had leftovers of this recipe for a few days and let me tell you – it was just delicious the following day as it was the first day I made it. Even better, I never tired of it. Parsnip noodle chicken alfredo for the win.

For more tasty ideas with spiralized veggies, check out my Zucchini Noodle Caprese, Zucchini Noodle Spaghetti Bolognese and Zucchini Pasta with Lemon Garlic Shrimp. My Curly Sweet Potato Fries are always a hit as well. Enjoy!

(gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo) This parsnip noodle chicken alfredo is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free. It's a healthier take on the classic chicken alfredo that's absolutely delicious.

(gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo) This parsnip noodle chicken alfredo is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free. It's a healthier take on the classic chicken alfredo that's absolutely delicious.

Parsnip Noodle Chicken Alfredo (gluten-free, dairy-free)

5 from 4 votes
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

This parsnip noodle chicken alfredo is 100% gluten-free and dairy-free. It's a delicious, healthier take on the classic chicken alfredo recipe.  

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 recipe Vegan Alfredo Sauce
  • 1 large boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 3 tbsp avocado oil or olive oil, divided
  • 2 medium parsnips
  • 1 head of broccoli, florets trimmed off
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • Make the Vegan Alfredo Sauce ahead of time. You can always make it the day before and store it in the fridge.
  • Peel the parsnips, slice off the ends and spiralize. Then, set the parsnip noodles aside.
  • Use a mallet to gently pound the chicken breast so that it's even in thickness. Season it with salt and pepper.
  • Heat one tablespoon of oil in a skillet on medium heat. Add the chicken breast and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until cooked through. Remove to a cutting board and slice into pieces.
  • While the chicken is cooking, bring a medium pot of water to a simmer. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 4-5 minutes, then drain.
  • In a large sautee pan, heat two tablespoons of oil on medium heat. Add the parsnip noodles and cook for 2-3 minutes, using tongs to stir. Then add the sliced chicken, broccoli and alfredo sauce. Start with 1/2 to 3/4 of the sauce and add as much as you'd like. Stir for another minute or two. If the alfredo sauce is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of water.
  • Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and serve immediately.

Lisa's Tips

  • Cook the parsnip noodles until they're al dente. I prefer them crisper at 2-3 minutes, but if you'd like them softer cook a few minutes longer before adding the sauce, chicken and vegetables.
  • The alfredo sauce is thick (and will thicken as it cooks), so feel free to add water to thin the consistency.
  • If you'd like to learn more about spiralizing, see my Spiralizer's Beginner's Guide and my post on How to Make and Cook Zucchini Noodles.
  • The spiralizer I use is this 6-Blade Paderno Spiralizer.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 recipe | Calories: 740kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 776mg | Potassium: 875mg | Fiber: 19g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 945IU | Vitamin C: 149.1mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 1.7mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Dairy-free Chicken Alfredo, Paleo Chicken Alfredo, Parsnip Noodle Chicken Alfredo, Whole30 Chicken Alfredo
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

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28 Comments

  1. How much checked did you use for the recipe? It says one large chicken breast. But I would like to know the approximate weight. I’m going to try this. So let you know how it turned out. 

    1. Hi Jennifer – Unfortunately the nutrition is correct. But, you can always decrease the amount of alfredo sauce used in this recipe to lower the calorie amount if you’d like!

  2. Made this tonight and it was delicious. My wife is on a diet/exercise program and this fit right in. Finished off with frozen blueberry yogurt for dessert. Thanks for all your recipes.

  3. Great recipe idea…I can’t wait to try it- I did come to your blog after watching your spiralizer video,

    Perry
    Subversive.Style5 stars

  4. Our old spiral “thing”…have no idea what you call this…is not keeping up with what we are trying. May have to invest in on like you have. Changing the blades on yours look like a snap…ours is tedious!-Laurel

    1. The one I use, the Paderno Spiralizer (linked above) is super easy and pretty economical as well. Definitely worth the purchase. :) x

  5. Wow. Spiralised parsnips are new to me but they sound fab. Loving your lightened up version of the classic here – as you say, who wants to feel uncomfortably weighed down after eating supper.

    1. And my theory is that if you don’t feel weighed down, you can go back for seconds. Ha! ;) x

    1. Parsnip noodles are great because they stay crisp and hold up to a heavier cream-based sauce (vs zucchini noodles). :)

    1. Yes! There’s so much you can do with a spiralizer. It’s definitely worth the investment and the one I use is linked above.

  6. you really got me here, I though they were spaghetti. They look just like them. I do fin Chicken Alfredo too heavy but this version sounds fantastic. I will definetly give it a try

    1. I’m sure these noodles would fool most – which is awesome. :) Let me know how you like the recipe!