Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne Recipe
A comforting and delicious creamy mushroom and asparagus chicken penne pasta dish, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Tender chicken pieces are sautéed with mushrooms and fresh asparagus, then simmered in a rich Parmesan cream sauce and tossed with al dente penne pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
Chicken and Vegetables
- 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 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente, following package instructions. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
- Sauté mushrooms and asparagus: Add the sliced mushrooms and asparagus pieces to the skillet with the chicken. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
- Add the cream: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
- Add Parmesan cheese: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it fully melts and forms a creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Toss pasta in sauce: Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss well to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. Cook for an additional minute to heat through.
- Serve: Plate the creamy mushroom and asparagus chicken penne immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- To ensure the chicken remains juicy, avoid overcrowding the skillet while cooking.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Freshly grated Parmesan is recommended for better melting and flavor compared to pre-grated cheese.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a slight spicy kick.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, mushroom asparagus pasta, penne pasta recipe, one pan chicken pasta, Parmesan cream sauce