Description

This Creamy Mushroom Asparagus Chicken Penne is a delightful one-pan pasta dish combining tender chicken breast, fresh asparagus, and earthy cremini mushrooms in a rich, cheesy cream sauce. Perfect for an elegant yet easy weeknight dinner, this recipe offers a harmonious balance of flavors and textures with a touch of fresh parsley for garnish.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Vegetables

1 lb chicken breast, sliced thin
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Pasta

12 oz penne pasta

Sauce and Seasoning

1 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

Season and Cook Chicken: Season the thinly sliced chicken breast with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken slices until they are golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they become browned and develop a rich flavor. Add the minced garlic and the chopped asparagus pieces. Sauté everything together until the asparagus turns bright green and becomes slightly tender, ensuring the flavors meld.
Make Cream Sauce: Pour the chicken broth into the skillet, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits for added flavor. Add the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese and allow it to melt completely, forming a smooth, creamy sauce.
Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve one cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta thoroughly.
Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained pasta. Toss everything together gently to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy mushroom and asparagus sauce. Use some of the reserved pasta water if the sauce needs loosening. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese on top if desired. Serve the creamy mushroom asparagus chicken penne hot for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Notes

You can substitute cremini mushrooms with white button mushrooms if preferred.
For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a light cream alternative.
To make the dish gluten-free, use gluten-free penne pasta.
Be careful not to overcook the asparagus; it should remain slightly crisp for the best texture.
Reserve pasta water helps to adjust sauce consistency and enhance creaminess.
Chopped fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh finish but can be omitted if unavailable.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: Creamy chicken pasta, mushroom penne, asparagus chicken recipe, one-pan pasta dinner, creamy mushroom asparagus chicken