A buttery, garlic delight.

With all the baked goods and desserts I have been making, testing, and photographing lately for my holiday baking guide—Festive Eats—I decided I needed a little break from baking for a while.  So the donut pans and cookie sheets have been put away and my sauté and roasting pans are back in action.  I love the combination of goat cheese and chicken in a salad, so why no make a creamy goat cheese alfredo.  Goat cheese is a great option if lactose bothers you as it is easier to digest—the sauce is very light but full of flavor.  This simple alfredo sauce is full of healthy fats, delicious flavors and quick to make.  Dinner is served in about 20 minutes!

Garnish this with whatever fresh herbs you have on hand (basil, chives, rosemary) and sprinkle some salty parmesan cheese on top.  Goat cheese has a slightly tart flavor, so the addition of butter and garlic makes this absolutely delicious! This dish provides a complete meal filled with delicious flavors and fresh foods.

Bon appetite!

Goat Cheese Chicken Alfredo with Zucchini Noodles

Goat Cheese Alfredo Sauce

• 6 oz soft goat cheese
• 4 tbsp butter, preferably pastured
• 4 large cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/4 tsp celtic sea salt
• 1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper

Chicken and Zucchini Noodles

• 1 pound chicken (about 2 chicken breasts), sliced
• 1 tbsp butter, for chicken
• 2 zucchini squash, noodled
• 1/2 tsp celtic sea salt

Toppings

• sun-dried tomatoes
• fresh basil
• parmesan cheese shavings

Directions

• To make the zucchini noodles, use a mandoline or spiralizer and thinly slice into noodle like spirals.  For more in depth instructions on making zucchini noodles, read my post Farmers Market Zucchini Noodles.  Sprinkle 1/2 tsp over noodles to allow some of the moisture to sweat out. Set aside while you make the sauce, shake out excess water, and pat noodles dry with a paper towel.
• Heat a large non-stick skillet to medium, high and melt 1 tbsp butter in the pan.  Briefly sear the chicken in melted butter, stirring for about 3 minutes so that all sides are seared.  Set chicken aside.  Turn pan down to medium heat.
• In the same pan, melt butter until it begins to sizzle.  Add goat cheese and seasoning, stirring until the cheese is melted.  Add the chicken and allow to simmer for 6-8 minutes so that the flavors infuse and the chicken thoroughly cooks.
• In a seperate pan, briefly sautee zucchini noodles to soften.
• Serve over a bed of zucchini noodles topped with  parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh garden basil.

{If you are skeptical of all the butter used, read here for the wonderful health benefits of adding butter and quality fats to your diet.  I purchase my butter from US Wellness because they have a great price on pastured butter.  If you can splurge on one “healthy” food, purchase pastured butter. Its worth the extra dollar!}

Step by step: Spaghetti Squash Baking Essentials

Step by step: How to make noodles out of zucchini squash