Description
This Chicken and Asparagus Pasta is a creamy and satisfying dish that combines tender chicken, fresh asparagus, and a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta such as penne or fettuccine
Chicken:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Asparagus:
- 2 cups asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
Other Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water.
- Cook Chicken: Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook in a skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove from skillet.
- Cook Asparagus and Make Sauce: In the same skillet, cook asparagus until tender-crisp. Add garlic, then pour in heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper.
- Combine and Serve: Return chicken and pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed. Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra brightness, add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving.
- You can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream for a lighter dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
