Description
Creamy mushroom and asparagus chicken penne brings Italian comfort to weeknight dinners. Hearty pasta combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and crisp asparagus in a rich, silky sauce that satisfies beyond expectations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 8 oz (226 g) mushrooms, sliced (baby bella or cremini work best)
- 12 oz (340 g) penne pasta
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps butter
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a vigorous boil. Cook penne pasta until perfectly al dente, reserving a cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining completely.
- Chicken Seasoning and Searing: Coat chicken pieces with a bold mixture of salt, ground black pepper, and smoky paprika. Heat olive oil in a skillet until shimmering, then sear chicken until golden-brown and fully cooked, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Vegetable Sauté: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add sliced mushrooms, allowing them to caramelize, then introduce asparagus spears, maintaining their vibrant color and crisp texture.
- Sauce Creation: Deglaze the pan with chicken broth, scraping up caramelized bits. Reduce heat and whisk in heavy cream, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer until the sauce thickens, using reserved pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.
- Final Assembly: Combine cooked pasta, seared chicken, and velvety sauce, gently folding to ensure every component is luxuriously coated. Use tongs to distribute ingredients evenly, creating a harmonious flavor profile.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and an additional dusting of Parmesan. Plate immediately, accompanied by crusty garlic bread or a crisp side salad for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve a cup of starchy pasta water to help thicken and smooth out the sauce if it becomes too thick or needs extra binding.
- Chicken Searing Technique: Ensure skillet is hot before adding chicken to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust, which locks in flavor and creates delicious caramelization.
- Vegetable Crunch Control: Cook asparagus briefly to maintain its bright green color and crisp texture, preventing it from becoming mushy or losing nutritional value.
- Sauce Consistency Hack: Adjust sauce thickness by gradually adding reserved pasta water, allowing you to control the final creamy texture without compromising flavor intensity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg