Description
Creamy Chicken Penne with Mushrooms and Asparagus is a hearty, restaurant-style dish made at home. Juicy chicken breast, earthy mushrooms, and fresh asparagus are tossed in a rich, garlicky cream sauce with tender penne pasta. A comforting and elegant dinner that’s ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms (cremini or button)
- 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
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken strips with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and add mushrooms. Sauté until browned and tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add asparagus and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until just tender. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat and add Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted. Add red pepper flakes if using.
- Return chicken to the skillet, then add cooked pasta. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Simmer for 2–3 minutes to allow flavors to combine. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker version.
- You can substitute asparagus with spinach or peas if preferred.
- Top with extra Parmesan for added richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: creamy chicken penne, chicken mushroom pasta, asparagus pasta, one pan pasta, chicken dinner idea