October 18, 2025

Chef Nora,my recipes made

Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta (5 Points Per Serving)

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6 | WW Points: 5 per serving

You know those evenings when you’re absolutely craving a big bowl of creamy pasta, but you’re trying to stay on track with your health goals? I’ve been there so many times. That moment when comfort food calls your name, but you don’t want to derail all your progress.

That’s exactly why I created this Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta. It delivers all the rich, restaurant-quality flavor you’re dreaming of sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, creamy sauce, tender chicken but at just 5 points per generous serving.

Honestly? This has become one of the most beloved recipes here at My Recipes Made, and I completely understand why. It proves that eating well doesn’t mean giving up the foods that bring us comfort and joy.

Looking for more family-friendly chicken recipes? Our Complete Chicken Recipes Guide has 20+ easy meals that everyone at the table will love.

Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta served in a white bowl on a marble countertop

Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Nora
This creamy Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta brings you comfort food without the guilt. With protein-rich chicken, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach, it’s a satisfying and healthy dinner option at just 5 WW points per serving.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Pasta
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 488 kcal

Equipment

  • Instant Pot
  • Large Skillet
  • Blender

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Base

  • 12 oz whole wheat pasta penne, rotini, or any preferred shape
  • 2 lbs chicken breast cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 cups fat-free chicken broth

For the Tuscan Flavor

  • 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes not packed in oil
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic
  • 3 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil plus more for garnish

For the Creamy Sauce

  • 0.75 cup fat-free Greek yogurt
  • 0.75 cup fat-free cottage cheese
  • 2/3 cup fat-free Parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 cups baby spinach

Instructions
 

  • Spray Instant Pot with cooking spray and sauté sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, and pepper for 30 seconds.
  • Add cubed chicken and brown for 2-3 minutes. Add broth and stir.
  • Stir in pasta, ensuring it’s submerged. Pressure cook on high for 3 minutes.
  • While cooking, blend Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and Parmesan until smooth.
  • Quick release pressure. Stir and reserve 1/4 cup liquid. Mix it with dairy blend.
  • Stir in spinach and basil until wilted. Let pasta cool 2-3 minutes before mixing in sauce.
  • Garnish with extra Parmesan and basil. Serve hot.

Notes

Let pasta cool slightly before adding the dairy mixture to prevent curdling. Use non-oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for lower points. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days. Not freezer-friendly due to the dairy-based sauce.
Keyword Chicken, Healthy, High Protein, Weight Watchers

Why This Recipe Works

  • Just 5 WW Points – Guilt-free comfort food.
  • Creamy Without Heavy Cream – Smart swaps keep it light.
  • Three Cooking Methods – Instant Pot, stovetop, or crockpot.
  • Family-Approved – Even non-WW members love this.
  • Nutrient-Packed – 52g protein, spinach, whole grains.

What Makes This Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta Special

Here’s the thing about most creamy pasta recipes: they’re delicious, but they can set you back an entire day’s worth of points. Not this one.

The secret? I’ve replaced heavy cream with a brilliant combination of fat-free cottage cheese and Greek yogurt. When you blend them together until silky smooth, they create this incredibly creamy sauce that mimics the real thing but with a fraction of the calories and tons of added protein. If you love creamy pasta like this, you’ll also adore our Marry Me Chicken Pasta, which uses a similar technique to create that restaurant-quality richness.

The sun-dried tomatoes (without oil, an important detail!) bring that authentic Tuscan flavor, while fresh spinach adds beautiful color, nutrients, and that Italian restaurant vibe we all love.

And what if pasta just isn’t in your plan today? I have a trick for that too. When I’m really trying to keep my points ultra-low but still want that pasta satisfaction, I swap the whole wheat noodles for zucchini noodles (zoodles). Same amazing sauce, same flavors even fewer points.

If you’re a fan of lighter chicken dishes, you might also enjoy our High-Protein Chicken and Spinach Salad for another satisfying, point-friendly meal packed with protein.

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of my favorite things about this recipe? You probably already have most of these ingredients in your kitchen. No fancy specialty items, no expensive proteins just real food that comes together beautifully. That’s also what I love about our Chicken Marsala Without Wine simple ingredients, incredible results.

For the Pasta Base

  • 12 oz whole wheat pasta – Penne, rotini, or your favorite shape
  • 2 lbs chicken breast – Cut into 1-inch cubes for even cooking
  • 3 cups fat-free chicken broth – Adds flavor while the pasta cooks

For the Tuscan Flavor

  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes – Make sure they’re packed WITHOUT oil
  • 1 tbsp minced garlic – Fresh is best, but jarred works
  • 3 tbsp Italian seasoning – Or basil, oregano, and thyme
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil – Plus extra for garnish (or 1 tsp dried)

For the Creamy Sauce

  • ¾ cup fat-free Greek yogurt – Adds protein and creaminess
  • ¾ cup fat-free cottage cheese – The secret to that rich texture
  • ⅔ cup grated fat-free Parmesan cheese – For authentic Italian taste
  • 2 cups baby spinach – Wilts right into the sauce

Pro Tip: The key to a smooth, creamy sauce is blending the cottage cheese and Greek yogurt thoroughly. You don’t want any lumps just silky, restaurant-quality texture.

How to Make Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta

I’m giving you three different methods here because I know everyone has different kitchen setups and time constraints. Choose what works best for your schedule!

Instant Pot Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta Method

Step 1: Build the Flavor Base
Lightly spray your Instant Pot with a bit of olive oil or cooking spray, then switch it to sauté mode. Once it’s nice and hot, toss in your sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of black pepper.

Let everything sizzle for about 30 seconds just until that incredible garlic aroma starts filling your kitchen. You’ll know it’s ready when you can’t help but take a deep breath and smile. This quick step is what builds that deep, rich flavor that makes this pasta so special.

Flavor base for Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and Italian seasoning

Step 2: Brown the Chicken
Add your cubed chicken to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently so the pieces don’t clump together. You want the chicken browned on all sides. Once it’s looking good, pour in the chicken broth and give everything a good stir.

Browning chicken cubes with the Tuscan flavor base for Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Step 3: Add the Pasta
Now add your whole wheat pasta and stir well. This is important: make sure every single noodle is submerged below the liquid. If some noodles are sticking up, they won’t cook properly.

Whole wheat pasta submerged in broth with browned chicken for Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Step 4: Pressure Cook
Close and lock the lid, turn the valve to “sealing,” and select Pressure. Cook on high for just 3 minutes. Yes, only 3 minutes! While the pot is doing its magic, take this time to blend together the cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, and Parmesan until they’re completely smooth. Set this mixture aside you’ll need it in a minute.

After pressure cooking, pasta and chicken tender with a little starchy liquid for Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Step 5: Release and Combine
When the cooking time is up, do a quick pressure release. Open the lid, give everything a good stir, and drain most of the excess liquid but keep about ¼ cup. Add that ¼ cup to your blended yogurt mixture and stir it in. This helps prevent the dairy from curdling when you add it to the hot pasta.

Now add the baby spinach and fresh basil directly to the pot and stir until the spinach wilts down. It’ll happen quickly spinach cooks in seconds.

Spinach and basil wilting into Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta while dairy sauce is tempered separately

Step 6: Make It Creamy
Let the pasta cool for 2-3 minutes (this is crucial don’t skip this step or your sauce might curdle!). Then add your blended yogurt-cheese mixture and gently stir until everything is evenly combined and beautifully creamy.

Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and torn fresh basil leaves. Pure comfort in a bowl.

Creamy tempered sauce fully incorporated into Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Stovetop Tuscan Chicken Pasta (Weight Watchers Friendly)

  1. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat.
  2. Sauté the tomatoes, garlic, Italian seasoning, and pepper for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add the cubed chicken and brown for 1-2 minutes on all sides.
  4. Pour in the pasta and chicken broth, cover, and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
  5. Stir in the spinach and basil until wilted.
  6. Blend the yogurt, cottage cheese, and Parmesan together until smooth.
  7. Remove pan from heat, let cool 2 minutes, then add the creamy mixture and stir well.
  8. Serve hot, topped with extra basil and Parmesan.

Stovetop Tip: Keep an eye on your pasta while it simmers. If the liquid is absorbing too quickly and the pasta isn’t quite done, add a splash more broth or water.

Crockpot Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta

  1. In a skillet, quickly brown the tomatoes, garlic, seasonings, and chicken for 1-2 minutes.
  2. Transfer everything to your crockpot and add the chicken broth.
  3. Cook on high for 2-3 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
  4. About 20 minutes before serving, cook your pasta separately according to package directions, then add to the crockpot.
  5. Stir in the spinach and basil until wilted.
  6. Blend your dairy mixture and add it to the crockpot with about ¼ cup of the cooking liquid.
  7. Stir everything together and serve hot with Parmesan and fresh basil.

Crockpot Note: I cook the pasta separately for this method to prevent it from getting mushy. Trust me on this one I learned the hard way! If you’re a fan of slow cooker meals, our Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken is another set-it-and-forget-it winner.

Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta Tips for Success

After making this recipe dozens of times (and answering questions from readers who’ve made it thousands more), here are my best tips for success:

Ingredient Tips

  • Cut chicken uniformly: Whether you choose 1-inch cubes or ½-inch slices, keep them consistent so everything cooks evenly.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes matter: Make sure you buy the kind WITHOUT oil. The oil-packed version will add unnecessary points and change the texture.
  • Don’t skip the blending: Your cottage cheese and Greek yogurt must be blended completely smooth. Lumpy sauce is nobody’s friend.
  • Fresh or dried basil: If using dried, add just 1 teaspoon in the beginning with the other seasonings. Fresh basil has much more volume.

Cooking Tips

  • Let it cool before adding dairy: This is the most important tip! If you add the yogurt mixture to boiling hot pasta, it WILL curdle. Give it 2-3 minutes to cool down first.
  • Save some pasta liquid: That starchy cooking liquid helps the sauce come together beautifully. Don’t dump it all.
  • Adjust consistency: If your sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of the reserved cooking liquid. Too thin? Let it sit for a few minutes it’ll thicken as it cools.

Make-Ahead & Storage

  • Meal prep friendly: This pasta keeps well for 3-4 days in the fridge. Store in individual portions for easy grab-and-go lunches. Our Creamy Chicken Broccoli Soup is another fantastic meal prep option using similar healthy swaps.
  • Reheating: Add a splash of chicken broth or water when reheating the sauce thickens as it sits. Microwave or stovetop both work great.
  • Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this particular recipe. The dairy-based sauce can separate when thawed and reheated.

Weight Watchers Points Breakdown for Tuscan Chicken Pasta

Here’s the good news: each generous serving of this Tuscan chicken pasta counts as just 5 Points on the Weight Watchers program, calculated using fat-free Parmesan, cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt.

Important for accurate tracking: Divide the finished recipe into 6 equal portions. I find it helpful to use a kitchen scale or measuring cup to ensure each serving is the same size. This keeps your points consistent and takes the guesswork out of tracking.

Want to lower the points even more? Try these swaps:

  • Replace pasta with zucchini noodles (saves about 2 points per serving).
  • Use half pasta, half zoodles for a middle ground.
  • Increase the spinach and decrease the pasta slightly.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

NutrientAmount
Calories488 kcal
Protein52 g
Carbohydrates54 g
Fat8 g
Saturated Fat3 g
Fiber2 g
Sugar5 g
Sodium955 mg
Cholesterol108 mg

Why I love these numbers: Look at that protein content! 52 grams per serving means you’re getting substantial nutrition that’ll keep you full and satisfied for hours. The fiber from the whole wheat pasta and spinach adds to the satiety factor, while the fat content stays nicely low.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular pasta instead of whole wheat?

Absolutely! Regular pasta works perfectly fine in this recipe. However, your Weight Watchers points will increase slightly regular pasta is typically 1-2 points higher per serving than whole wheat. If you’re watching your points closely, I’d recommend sticking with whole wheat or trying chickpea pasta for even more protein.

Can I freeze this Tuscan chicken pasta?

I’m going to be honest with you here: I don’t recommend freezing this particular recipe. The dairy-based sauce (yogurt and cottage cheese) tends to separate when frozen and thawed, which affects both the texture and appearance. However, it keeps beautifully in the fridge for 3-4 days, making it perfect for meal prep throughout the week. If you need freezer-friendly chicken recipes, try our Chicken Tortilla Soup or Forgotten Chicken Recipe both freeze like a dream!

What can I substitute for cottage cheese?

If you’re not a fan of cottage cheese (and I know some people aren’t!), you can substitute with part-skim ricotta cheese. The texture will be slightly different, but it’ll still give you that creamy consistency. Another option is to double the Greek yogurt and add a tablespoon of cream cheese for richness. Just remember to adjust your points accordingly.

How do I prevent the sauce from curdling?

Great question! The key is patience. After you drain the pasta, let it cool for 2-3 minutes before adding your blended dairy mixture. Also, make sure to reserve some of that starchy cooking liquid and mix it into your yogurt blend first this helps temper the dairy and brings it closer to the temperature of the pasta. Take your time with this step, and you’ll have a perfectly smooth, creamy sauce every time.

Can I meal prep this recipe for the week?

Definitely! This is actually one of my favorite meal prep recipes. I make a full batch on Sunday and divide it into individual containers for easy weekday lunches. It keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Just remember to add a splash of chicken broth when reheating, as the sauce will thicken up in the fridge. I usually reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. For more meal prep inspiration, our Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps are another family favorite that reheats beautifully.

Can I add other vegetables to this pasta?

Of course! This recipe is pretty flexible. Some great additions include bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes. Just sauté any harder vegetables (like peppers or zucchini) along with the chicken so they have time to soften. Mushrooms are especially delicious here they add that meaty, umami flavor that pairs beautifully with the Italian seasonings. If you want more veggie-packed options, try our Thai Peanut Chicken Wraps loaded with fresh vegetables.

Is this recipe suitable for meal planning on other diets besides Weight Watchers?

Yes! While this recipe is designed with Weight Watchers in mind, it’s also great for anyone looking for a high-protein, relatively low-calorie dinner. With 52 grams of protein and only 488 calories per serving, it fits well into most balanced eating plans. If you’re not tracking points, you might even want to add a drizzle of olive oil or some extra Parmesan for richness. Check out our BBQ Chicken Pizza on Cauliflower Crust for another healthier comfort food option.

Ready to Make This Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta?

This Weight Watchers Tuscan Chicken Pasta proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to mean sacrificing the comfort foods you love. With its creamy texture, bold flavors, and satisfying portions, it’s become a regular rotation recipe in our home and I hope it becomes one in yours too.

The best part? Whether you’re following Weight Watchers or just trying to eat a bit healthier, this pasta delivers on taste without the guilt. It’s proof that with the right techniques and smart ingredient swaps, you can have your pasta and eat it too.

I’d love to hear from you! If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. Did you try any fun variations? Make it in the Instant Pot, on the stovetop, or in the crockpot? Your feedback helps other readers, and honestly, it makes my day to hear that these recipes are working for you.

And if you’re looking for more delicious, family-friendly chicken recipes, be sure to explore our Complete Chicken Recipes Guide. There’s something for everyone!

Happy cooking, and here’s to meals that nourish both body and soul.

Nora

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