Description
A creamy and delicious Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne recipe featuring tender chicken, sautéed mushrooms and asparagus, all tossed in a rich Parmesan cream sauce with penne pasta. Perfect for an easy weeknight Italian-American meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
Protein
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
Vegetables
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids & Dairy
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
Seasonings & Herbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and black pepper, add to the skillet and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same skillet, add minced garlic, sliced mushrooms, and asparagus pieces. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Make Sauce: Pour in chicken broth and stir, scraping the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Reduce heat to medium, then add heavy cream, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and butter. Stir continuously until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, add the drained pasta, and toss everything together to coat well in the sauce.
- Finish Cooking: Let mixture cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes allowing flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley and optional red pepper flakes on top, then serve warm.
Notes
- For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, but it will be less rich.
- Add extra vegetables such as spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for additional flavor and nutrition.
- Use gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free version of this dish.
