Description
A delightful pasta dish featuring tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and crisp asparagus, all enveloped in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup heavy cream1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables
- In the same skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5–6 minutes, or until they release their moisture and become golden.
- Add the asparagus pieces and cook for another 3–4 minutes, until tender-crisp.
- Prepare the Creamy Sauce
- Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese melts and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes (if using) for added flavor.
- Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Everything
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Add the cooked penne pasta and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- If the sauce is too thick, gradually add the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve
- Plate the pasta and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and freshly cracked black pepper, if desired.
- Enjoy your meal!
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente – Slightly undercook the penne, as it will continue absorbing the sauce for a perfect texture.
- Sauté mushrooms properly – Cook mushrooms until golden brown to enhance their flavor before adding the asparagus and sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Boiled, Simmered
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne