A comforting pasta dish with tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, crisp asparagus, and a rich creamy garlic sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner but elegant enough for guests.

🕒 Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10–15 minutes

• Cook Time: 20 minutes

• Total Time: ~30–35 minutes

• Servings: 3–4

• Difficulty: Easy

• Cuisine Style: Italian-inspired

🧾 Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips

• 8 oz penne pasta

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced

• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

For the Creamy Sauce

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ½ cup chicken broth

• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated

• ½ tsp Italian seasoning

• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)

• ¼ tsp black pepper

Optional Garnish

• Fresh parsley, chopped

• Extra Parmesan cheese

• Chili flakes (for a little heat)

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1️⃣ Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions (usually 9–11 minutes).

3. Drain and set aside. Reserve ½ cup pasta water for later if needed.

2️⃣ Cook the Chicken

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Add the sliced chicken breasts.

3. Season lightly with salt and pepper.

4. Cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through.

5. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

3️⃣ Sauté the Vegetables

1. In the same skillet, add mushrooms.

2. Cook for 3–4 minutes until they soften and release moisture.

3. Add asparagus and cook another 3 minutes.

4. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

4️⃣ Make the Cream Sauce

1. Pour in chicken broth and scrape the bottom of the pan to release flavor.

2. Add heavy cream and stir well.

3. Mix in:

   • Parmesan cheese

   • Italian seasoning

   • Salt and pepper

4. Let the sauce simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thick.

5️⃣ Combine Everything

1. Add the cooked chicken back to the pan.

2. Stir in the cooked penne pasta.

3. Toss everything until coated in the creamy sauce.

4. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.

6️⃣ Serve

• Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan.

• Serve warm and enjoy!

🍽 Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs nicely with:

• Garlic bread 🥖

• A light green salad 🥗

• Roasted vegetables

🥗 Approximate Nutrition (Per Serving)

• Calories: ~520

• Protein: ~35 g

• Carbohydrates: ~45 g

• Fat: ~24 g

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use another pasta?

Yes. Good substitutes include:

• fusilli

• rigatoni

• fettuccine

2. Can I make it lighter?

Yes. Replace heavy cream with:

• half-and-half

• evaporated milk

• light cream

3. Can I make it dairy-free?

Use:

• coconut cream or cashew cream

• dairy-free Parmesan alternative.

4. How long can leftovers last?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days.

5. Can I add more vegetables?

Absolutely. Try adding:

• spinach

• cherry tomatoes

• broccoli

6. Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes. Just shred it and add it during the final mixing step.

7. How do I prevent the sauce from separating?

Keep the heat medium or low when adding cream and stir continuously.

💡 Chef Tip:
Add lemon zest or a squeeze of lemon juice at the end to brighten the creamy sauce.

• Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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