Lactose-Free Creamy Chicken Pasta

This lactose-free creamy chicken pasta is a comforting, flavorful dinner made with tender chicken, pasta, garlic, and a smooth creamy sauce. It uses lactose-free or dairy-free ingredients to create a rich pasta dish without traditional cream.

Ingredients

• 12 oz (340 g) pasta
• 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lactose-free butter or olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup lactose-free cooking cream or unsweetened dairy-free cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup lactose-free Parmesan or dairy-free Parmesan alternative, optional

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.

Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.

2. Cook the Chicken

Season the chicken breasts with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 5–6 minutes per side, or until cooked through.

Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.

3. Prepare the Garlic Sauce

Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the lactose-free butter and minced garlic.

Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.

Add the lactose-free cooking cream and red pepper flakes. Stir and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.

4. Combine the Pasta and Sauce

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until evenly coated.

If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until you reach your preferred consistency.

Stir in the lactose-free Parmesan or dairy-free alternative, if using.

5. Add the Chicken

Slice the cooked chicken and place it over the pasta.

Finish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Equipment

• Large pot
• Large skillet
• Cutting board
• Chef’s knife
• Colander
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Tongs

Notes

• Choose lactose-free cooking cream or an unsweetened dairy-free cream alternative.
• Check packaged ingredients carefully, especially broth, cheese, and cream alternatives.
• Reserve pasta water before draining; it can help loosen and smooth the sauce.
• Chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts.
• Add spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli for an easy variation.
• For a brighter flavor, add a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.

Calories

Approximately 520 calories per serving, depending on the pasta, cream, cheese, and chicken used.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this creamy chicken pasta with roasted vegetables, a simple green salad, or warm lactose-free garlic bread.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or lactose-free cream to loosen the sauce and warm gently until heated through.

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Lactose-Free Creamy Chicken Pasta

A bowl of lactose-free creamy chicken pasta featuring tender chicken, pasta, garlic cream sauce, and fresh parsley.

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Prep Time 6 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 26 minutes mins

Servings: 2 people

Course: diner

Cuisine: American

Calories: 520

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 12 oz 340 g pasta
• 2 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lactose-free butter or olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves minced
• 1 cup lactose-free cooking cream or unsweetened dairy-free cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup lactose-free Parmesan or dairy-free Parmesan alternative optional

Equipment

• 1 Large pot
• 1 Large skillet
• 1 Cutting board

Method

 

1. Cook the Pasta
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
3. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
4. Cook the Chicken
5. Season the chicken breasts with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
6. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for about 5–6 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
7. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
8. Prepare the Garlic Sauce
9. Reduce the skillet heat to medium. Add the lactose-free butter and minced garlic.
10. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
11. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
12. Add the lactose-free cooking cream and red pepper flakes. Stir and simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
13. Combine the Pasta and Sauce
14. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until evenly coated.
15. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until you reach your preferred consistency.
16. Stir in the lactose-free Parmesan or dairy-free alternative, if using.
17. Add the Chicken
18. Slice the cooked chicken and place it over the pasta.

Notes

• Use lactose-free cooking cream or an unsweetened dairy-free cream alternative.
• Check the labels of the cream, broth, and cheese to ensure they are suitable for a lactose-free recipe.
• Reserve some pasta water before draining to adjust the sauce consistency.
• Avoid overcooking the garlic, as it can become bitter.
• Add spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli for extra flavor and texture.
• A small squeeze of fresh lemon juice can brighten the creamy sauce.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently with a splash of chicken broth or cream.