Description
A luscious, comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken, fresh asparagus, and earthy mushrooms in a rich, creamy sauce that comes together quickly for a perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
12 oz penne pasta
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Salt and pepper, to taste
8 oz cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning
Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add to the skillet. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add mushrooms and asparagus. Sauté for about 5 minutes until vegetables are tender and mushrooms release their moisture.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese and dried thyme. Cook until sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together to coat the pasta well with the creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- This dish can be customized with your favorite vegetables or protein.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half or milk instead of heavy cream.
- You can use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
