Description
This Chicken Penne Pasta with Creamy Asparagus and Mushrooms is a hearty, one-pan dish with tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, crisp asparagus, and a velvety cream sauce tossed with penne. It’s comforting, elegant, and perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
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12 oz penne pasta
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1 lb boneless chicken breast, sliced into strips
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Salt and pepper to taste
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2 tbsp olive oil
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2 cups mushrooms, sliced
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1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup heavy cream
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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½ tsp Italian seasoning
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¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
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Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and drain.
2️⃣ Sauté the chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3️⃣ Cook vegetables: In the same skillet, sauté mushrooms for 3–4 minutes. Add asparagus and cook for 2–3 minutes more until tender-crisp. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4️⃣ Make the sauce: Reduce heat to medium. Pour in cream, stir in Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
5️⃣ Combine: Add chicken back to the pan along with cooked pasta. Toss to coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed.
6️⃣ Serve: Plate immediately and garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan.
Notes
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Swap chicken for shrimp or leave it out for a vegetarian version.
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Add sun-dried tomatoes or spinach for extra color and flavor.
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Leftovers reheat well with a splash of milk or broth.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 20 min