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Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne

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Tender chicken breast, sautéed mushrooms, and fresh asparagus, all tossed in a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce with perfectly cooked penne. This dish is quick, easy, and perfect for a cozy dinner!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pasta & Chicken:

  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the Creamy Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (baby bella or cremini work best)
  • 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
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
  • ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

  1. Season chicken pieces with salt, black pepper, and paprika.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables

  1. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
  2. Add mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes, until softened.
  3. Stir in the asparagus and cook for another 2 minutes, until slightly tender but still crisp.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce

  1. Pour in chicken broth and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan.
  2. Reduce heat to low, then stir in heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  3. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.

Step 5: Combine Everything

  1. Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Toss everything together until well coated in the sauce.
  2. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy!

 

  1. Serve hot with garlic bread or a side salad.

Notes

  • Make It Lighter: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
  • Extra Flavor: Add a splash of white wine when cooking the mushrooms for depth.
  • Dairy-Free Option: Swap cream for coconut milk and Parmesan for nutritional yeast.

Find it online: https://ukfinda.com/creamy-mushroom-and-asparagus-chicken-penne/