Description
A delightful dish that combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and vibrant asparagus in a creamy sauce, perfect for family dinners or impressing guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 cups fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (cremini or button)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Start by cooking the penne pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Remember to stir occasionally to prevent sticking. When done, drain and set aside but reserve about 1 cup of pasta water.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 6-8 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Make sure to stir occasionally for even cooking.
- Add minced garlic and sliced mushrooms to the skillet, cooking for about 3-4 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and slightly browned.
- Toss in the asparagus, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes until the asparagus is bright green and just tender.
- Pour in the chicken broth, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it simmer for about 2 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low, then stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine the cooked penne with the creamy chicken mixture, stirring gently to coat the pasta evenly in the sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top for garnish.
Notes
For a lighter option, replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt. For vegetarian, substitute chicken with firm tofu or additional vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg