Description
This Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne is a rich, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and crisp asparagus in a velvety cream sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, it’s a comforting and satisfying meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced (white or cremini)
- 1 cup asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the mushrooms and asparagus. Sauté for about 4-5 minutes, until the mushrooms are soft and the asparagus is tender-crisp. Add the garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the skillet. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine the Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked penne pasta and toss to coat the pasta and chicken in the creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or a light cream option.
- You can use other types of pasta if you don’t have penne, like fettuccine or farfalle.
- For extra flavor, you can add a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (out of 4)
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 51
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 90mg