Description
Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne is a rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken, mushrooms, and asparagus in a creamy Parmesan sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz mushrooms (cremini or button), sliced
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tbsp olive oil. Season cubed chicken with salt and pepper, then sauté until golden and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
- Add remaining olive oil to the same skillet if needed. Sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their juices and start to brown.
- Add asparagus and cook for 3–4 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Return chicken to the skillet. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream.
- Sprinkle in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes. Simmer for a few minutes to thicken.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is smooth.
- Add cooked penne to the skillet and toss until well coated.
- Adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, garnished with extra cheese if desired.
Notes
- Use whole milk with a thickener as a lighter alternative to heavy cream.
- For a vegetarian version, omit chicken and add extra mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth.
- Avoid freezing as the cream sauce may separate when thawed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
