This Chicken Asparagus Pasta has everything we love in an easy dinner recipe with tender chicken, fresh asparagus, penne pasta, and a creamy Parmesan sauce that tastes like something from your favorite restaurant. Best of all, it's ready in just 35 minutes and comes together with simple ingredients you probably already have at home.
It's the kind of comforting, creamy, family-friendly dinner that feels a little special while still being easy enough for a busy weeknight. If you love creamy pasta dinners, you should also try our tortellini Alfredo for another easy weeknight favorite.
Chicken Asparagus Pasta Quick Summary
- Flavor & Texture: Rich, creamy, and comforting with tender chicken, crisp-tender asparagus, al dente pasta, and a silky Parmesan sauce.
- Method: Cook the pasta, sauté the chicken and asparagus separately, then combine everything in a creamy sauce made in the same skillet.
- Time: About 35 minutes from start to finish.
- Best For: Weeknight dinners, family meals, and casual entertaining when you want something that feels restaurant-worthy without a lot of effort.
- Make Ahead: Partially. The chicken and pasta can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated separately until you're ready to finish the dish.
Summarize and Save This Content On
This creamy chicken asparagus pasta is one of our favorite ways to use fresh asparagus during the spring months when it's at its best. The seasoned chicken adds so much flavor before the sauce is even made, and sauteing the asparagus separately keeps it crisp-tender instead of mushy.
We also love that this dish feels indulgent in the best way possible. The Parmesan cream sauce coats every piece of pasta, and the creamy, comforting flavors make it a dinner the whole family gets excited for.
If you're looking for more easy pasta dinners the whole family will enjoy, our marry me chicken tortellini and chicken broccoli pasta are two more go-to recipes worth adding to your dinner rotation.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This pasta with chicken and asparagus is one of those dinners that feels fancy enough for a Friday night but easy enough for a busy weekday.
- Ready in 35 minutes from start to finish.
- The creamy Parmesan sauce helps even picky eaters enjoy the asparagus.
- The chicken is packed with flavor thanks to the simple seasoning blend.
- The sauce comes together in one skillet for easy cleanup.
- It tastes like a restaurant-style pasta dinner using simple ingredients you probably already have.
Ingredients
- Penne Pasta: Penne works perfectly because the sauce gets trapped inside the pasta tubes. Rigatoni or farfalle also work well for this chicken and asparagus pasta recipe.
- Chicken Breast: Cut the chicken into evenly sized bite-sized pieces so it cooks quickly and evenly in the skillet.
- Seasonings: The combination of paprika, Italian seasoning, onion powder, and black pepper gives the chicken a deeper flavor than basic salt and pepper alone.
- Asparagus: Trim the tough ends by snapping the stalks where they naturally break. Cutting them into 3-inch pieces makes them easy to eat with the pasta. If you love asparagus, you'll also want to try our bacon asparagus for an easy side dish.
- Heavy Cream: Full-fat heavy cream creates the rich, creamy texture that makes this dish so good.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts much more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese and helps prevent a grainy sauce.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite gluten-free penne and cook until just al dente. Toss it straight into the sauce so it absorbs all the Parmesan flavor.
- Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut: Skip cooking the chicken and stir shredded rotisserie chicken into the sauce at the end for a super quick shortcut dinner.
- Protein Swaps: Shrimp, scallops, or Italian sausage all work well in this asparagus pasta recipe. Shrimp and scallops cook in just a few minutes, while sausage adds extra savory flavor and heartiness.
- Swap the Vegetables: Broccoli, zucchini, or peas all work well in place of asparagus and still pair perfectly with the creamy Parmesan sauce.
- Make It Lighter: Swap heavy cream for half-and-half and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the sauce.
How to Make Chicken Asparagus Pasta
This pasta with asparagus and chicken comes together quickly in one skillet once everything is prepped. It's a simple, step-by-step process that builds flavor at every stage so you end up with a creamy, restaurant-style pasta dinner at home.
- Step 1: Cook the pasta. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until al dente. Drain and set it aside, saving a small splash of pasta water just in case you need to loosen the sauce later.
- Step 2: Cook the chicken. Season the chicken pieces and cook them in olive oil in a large skillet until golden and fully cooked through. Transfer to a plate so it stays tender while you build the rest of the dish.
- Step 3: Cook the asparagus. Melt a little butter in the same skillet and quickly sauté the asparagus until it's bright green and just tender. Remove it from the pan so it doesn't overcook.
- Step 4: Make the sauce. Melt the remaining butter and sauté the garlic until fragrant, then slowly whisk in the cream and Parmesan until smooth.
- Step 5: Assemble. Add the pasta, chicken, and asparagus back into the skillet and toss everything together until coated and heated through. Serve warm with our homemade dinner rolls to help soak up all that delicious sauce.
Expert Tips
- Salt the pasta water well: This is your only chance to season the pasta itself, and it makes a big difference in the overall flavor of the dish.
- Don't overcook the asparagus: Cook it just until bright green and slightly tender so it holds its texture once tossed into the sauce.
- Add the Parmesan slowly: Lower the heat and whisk it in gradually so it melts smoothly into the cream without clumping.
- Save a splash of pasta water: If the sauce thickens too much, a little pasta water helps loosen it while keeping it silky and smooth.
- Let everything simmer together briefly: Once combined, let the pasta, chicken, and asparagus come together for a couple of minutes so the sauce fully coats every bite.
- Storage & Reheating: Store leftovers of this chicken and asparagus pasta in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat with a splash of cream or milk to loosen the sauce, or microwave in short intervals, stirring in between, until warmed through.
Serving Suggestions
- Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner when you want something comforting but still quick to get on the table. Serve this asparagus chicken pasta with warm garlic bread knots or sheet pan breadsticks to soak up every bit of the Parmesan sauce.
- Great for family dinners or casual entertaining when you want something that feels a little more special without extra effort. Start the meal with a fresh strawberry salad with pecans for a light, simple starter.
- When hosting a crowd, pair the chicken and asparagus pasta alongside other favorites like white mac and cheese so guests can mix and match their plates.
Chicken Asparagus Pasta Recipe FAQs
Yes. Chicken thighs stay juicy and work great in this asparagus and chicken pasta recipe. Just cut them into bite-sized pieces and cook until fully done.
Cook the asparagus for only 1-2 minutes before removing it from the skillet. It finishes cooking gently once added back into the hot sauce.
Yes, partially. The sauce is best freshly made, but you can prep the chicken and pasta ahead of time and refrigerate them separately until you are ready to finish the dish.
Yes. The creamy Parmesan sauce has a mild flavor that helps make the asparagus more appealing to picky eaters.
More Easy Chicken and Pasta Recipes
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Chicken Asparagus Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 pound asparagus tough ends trimmed and cut into 3-inch strips
- ½ cup butter
- 3 teaspoons garlic minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Season chicken with black pepper, Italian seasoning, onion powder, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet. Add the asparagus and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until slightly softened. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream, then cook until the mixture begins to bubble. Gradually whisk in the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and asparagus to the sauce. Toss until evenly coated, then simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until everything is warmed through.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest, creamiest sauce.
- Cook the asparagus briefly so it stays crisp-tender when mixed into the pasta.
- Reserve a little pasta water before draining in case the sauce needs thinning.
- Let the pasta simmer in the sauce for a few minutes so it coats every bite better.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen
This has now become one of my family's favorite pasta recipes. It is creamy and so hearty.