An easy pasta recipe made in under thirty minutes. This creamy, dairy-free chicken one pot alfredo pasta is the perfect weeknight meal. Whipped up with a blend of coconut milk and gut-healing broth, this recipe makes an easy weeknight dinner.
Skip the parmesan cheese and opt for this dairy-free, one pot alfredo pasta instead!
It's creamy, easy to make, and a bit lighter than the traditional version.
Plus, being made all in one pot means that just like a sausage and veggies sheet pan dinner, cleanup is pretty simple.
Plus this recipe is made in under thirty minutes (just like all the recipes in the busy mom's cookbook).
Basically, this one pot recipe is the perfect solution for busy weeknights when dinner goes to hell.
Alfredo Without Milk Or Parmesan Cheese?
It may be odd to think of omitting milk ingredients in an alfredo dish but it’s definitely possible! The alfredo flavor in this one-pot pasta comes from two main ingredients: coconut milk & nutritional yeast.
Coconut milk is an easy way to both cut dairy and makes a recipe ultra-creamy. It’s a healthy fat and often gives an “indulgent” feel to a dish (that's why it's the base in this coconut milk alfredo sauce).
Learn everything you need to know about types of coconut milk.
It can be made into almost anything (blended into a healthy smoothie to make it creamy, used in vegan chocolatecupcakes, or even made into a healthy whip cream to top just about anything).
On the other hand, nutritional yeast is what gives this dish its “cheesy alfredo” flavor.
If you’re new to the dairy-free life (learn more about how to transition to dairy-free), nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast with a ton of health benefits. More specifically it’s high in protein and fortified with B12 and folic acid.
But the best part is that it adds a slightly cheesy flavor like parmesan cheese does but without the cheese!
The one pot alfredo pasta contains only three tablespoons of nutritional yeast. However, you can easily add a bit more or sprinkle some on top for extra flavor.
Tips To Make The Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce
With this recipe, you do make everything all at once. However, there are a few tips to making the sauce creamy:
Make sure to use coconut milk from a can and not a carton. Likewise, grab the “full fat” version. Light coconut milk is just watered-down coconut milk
Whisk well. The last thing you want is clumps of nutritional yeast or arrowroot powder from the chicken in your alfredo sauce
You can always add a touch more broth to ensure the noodles are covered and cook fully. Likewise, it’s easy to keep the pot at a rolling boil to boil down the liquid a bit
Let the dish sit for a few minutes once you're done cooking. This is when it will thicken up the most and the sundried tomato flavor come our (learn how to make sun dried tomatoes for even more flavor!).
Quinoa Noodles
This recipe uses quinoa macaroni noodles to keep it gluten-free (it's one of the best gluten-free pantry staples to have on hand!).
Cooking times may vary if other noodles are used as these ones tend to cook quickly as well as absorb liquid.
If using another plant-based noodle (like chickpea), know that they may absorb too much, and more liquid will need to be added.
Similarly, using quinoa linguini noodles may make the pasta clump together.
Choosing A Chicken Broth
When it comes to broth, it would be easy to grab a cube or stock box. However, there are much better, more nutritious options!
Bone broth is one of the best foods for your immune system as well as a crucial food for toddlers. Thus, quality matters.
Most boxes of broth at the store contain little nutrients and a lot of salt.
And while it is ideal to make your own, it doesn’t always work that way when life gets busy.
This is why bone broth powder is such a staple!
The powder can be used for anything regular broth can be used for like:
- making soups or stews
- sipping out of a mug
- chili
All you need to do is whisk it into boiling water and you have ready-made broth.
I get mine from Perfect Supplements because it’s a brand I trust to provide quality ingredients. There are no additives or spices and it’s made from free-range chickens. You can check them out and use code mamabear10 for a discount.
Tip: Perfect Supplements powder is actually the only one that “fluffs up” when blended! When I feel a cold coming through the house I actually make it into a gut-healing chocolate smoothie that my kids love
Are The Vegetables Interchangeable?
This dairy-free chicken alfredo pasta uses broccoli, frozen peas, and sundried tomatoes.
It has not been tested with other vegetables. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t work.
The recipe uses frozen peas were used (though canned is fine) and fresh broccoli. If you’re going to use frozen broccoli you will need to boil the sauce down a bit longer to account for the extra water.
In place of the broccoli, I’m sure that small sliced carrots would work as well. Similarly, you could use cauliflower but it would not hold together as well when boiling.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dairy-Free Alfredo Pasta
In place of parmesan cheese, nutritional yeast is used. However, you could also sprinkle in some vegan parmesan which is normally made from cashews, nutritional yeast, and seasonings.
One pot alfredo pasta is best eaten fresh and not made as a casserole dish. With the noodles being gluten-free, freezing and reheating them tends to make them mushy.
Other Healthy Dinner Recipes You'll Love
- Easy venison chili
- Sheet pan steak fajitas
- Slow cooker chicken alfredo
- One pot sausage and tomato pasta
- 30 minute teriyaki meatballs
- Slow cooker teriyaki chicken
- Chicken fajita bowls
- Creamy slow cooker Tuscan chicken
- Thai quinoa stir fry
- 30-minute meals
Dairy-Free One Pot Chicken Pasta
Video
Equipment
- Large cast iron wok
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1//2 cup onion chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbs oil avocado or coconut
- 1 can coconut milk about ⅔ cup cream
- 2 cups chicken broth see notes
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt keep salts separated
- 1 tbs arrowroot powder
- 3 tbs nutritional yeast
- 2.5 cups broccoli finely chopped
- ¾ cup frozen peas
- ½ cup sundried tomatoes in oil
- 2 cups quinoa macaroni noodles
- Ground pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large wok, heat the tablespoon of oil over medium to high heat.
- Add in the garlic and cook for 3 minutes or until sizzling and starting t brown.
- While the garlic is cooking, toss the chicken in ½ teaspoon sea salt, pepper, and arrowroot powder.
- When the garlic is done, put the chicken in the pan and continue to cook until no pink remains. Stirring often.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
- Add the onion to the pan and whisk together the bone broth powder and boiling water. Cook the onion for 2-3 minutes.
- Add in the bone broth, coconut milk, and nutritional yeast. Whisk until combined.
- Turn the heat down to medium and add in the broccoli. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
- Remove the cover and turn the heat back up to medium-high and bring to a boil.
- Add in the quinoa noodles, stir well, cover, and cook for 6-7minutes or until noodles are mostly cooked.
- Remove the lid and toss in the chicken, peas, sundried tomatoes, and remaining salt. Stir and recover for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove lid and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to use coconut milk from a can and not a carton. Likewise, grab the “full fat” version. Light coconut milk is just watered down coconut milk
- If using bone broth powder from Perfect Supplements, whisk in one scoop to two cups boiling water
- Whisk well. The last thing you want is clumps of nutritional yeast or arrowroot powder from the chicken in your alfredo sauce
- You can always add a touch more broth to ensure the noodles are covered and cook fully. Likewise, it’s easy to keep the pot at a rolling boil to boil down the liquid a bit
- Let the dish sit for a few minutes once you're done cooking. This is when it will thicken up the most
- Nutritional information uses regular noodles, not specifically quinoa
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Grace says
The coconut milk did it! No one noticed it was dairy free. So good and delicious! This will be a new family favorite. Thanks for sharing.
fitasamamabear says
Coconut milk makes things yummy!
Dana says
So good, my son ended up coming back for 3 bowls! He had just finished 2 hours of soccer and was starving 🙂
fitasamamabear says
Oh my god it's a total win when the kids approve!!
Kara says
This was fantastic, and super easy to throw together! I loved the flavor the coconut milk added, hubby devoured it lol
fitasamamabear says
Definitely a comforting one!
Margarette says
It is creamy with a cheesy taste that comes from the nutritional yeast. So healthy and tasted so much better than the traditional version. I'm obsessed!
fitasamamabear says
Glad you enjoyed it!
Bridgette says
Your tip about using full fat coconut milk was very helpful. It turned out so creamy and flavorful. And I love that it's dairy-free but still tasted so delicious. Yum!
fitasamamabear says
it makes it taste so rich!!
Terri says
So happy to have found this- my daughter is now dairy-free and she loves Alfredo!!
fitasamamabear says
Aw yay! It's a tricky transition but once you get the hang of it dairy-free isn't so bad!
nancy wu says
i love one pot meals especially now that we are back to school !!
this makes dinner time much easier
fitasamamabear says
Right?! They literally help keep things sane and smooth running
Vanessa says
Fantastic quick meal! I never thought of using coconut milk in a dish like this. I have usually made cashew cream. This is much easier!
fitasamamabear says
Ahh cashew cream would be delicious too! But yea, coconut milk is easier lol
Linda says
I had been wondering if I could try to make a cream sauce with coconut! This is a wonderful recipe!
fitasamamabear says
Coconut milk solves dairy-free life problems haha I'm happy you have something to fall in love with now!
Bianca says
This was so easy to make! I would never have thought of using coconut milk such a great idea!
fitasamamabear says
Yay! Coconut milk makes everything SO creamy hehe I'm glad you loved it!
Kayla DiMaggio says
This was delicious! I never thought about making it with coconut milk before!
fitasamamabear says
Coconut milk makes everything super creamy. I think sometimes I live off it 😛 glad you love it!
Bobbie says
No way! Dairy free Alfredo! I have to try this. And I love all of the veggies you’ve added!
fitasamamabear says
It comes out so creamy! I hope you love it. As for the veggies.. food is better with color!
Jessica says
A new family favorite! Quick, easy, and delicious!
fitasamamabear says
Yay! Quick, easy and tasty is pretty much the theme of the house haha