Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne
A comforting one-pan pasta dish loaded with tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and crisp asparagus in a luscious cream sauce.
Ingredients:
8 ounces penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound chicken breast, diced
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 cup asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional: pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or lemon zest for brightness
Instructions:
Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
Sauté the chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
Cook the vegetables: In the same skillet, add a splash of oil if needed. Sauté mushrooms for 3–4 minutes until browned. Add asparagus and cook another 2–3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
Make it creamy: Reduce heat to low. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper (and red pepper flakes if using).
Combine: Return the chicken to the skillet along with the cooked penne. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
Serve: Dish up warm with extra Parmesan and a sprinkle of lemon zest or fresh parsley.
Tips:
For added flavor, deglaze the pan with a splash of white wine before adding the cream.
Try it with spinach or peas instead of asparagus if you’d like a seasonal swap.
Tags:
#CreamyPasta #ChickenRecipes #OnePanMeals #AsparagusSeason #WeeknightDinner #ComfortFood