Chicken Asparagus Pasta

5 from 1 vote

Tender chicken, crisp asparagus, and penne pasta come together in a Parmesan sauce for an easy chicken asparagus pasta dinner the whole family will love, ready in just 35 minutes.

Prep Time10

Cook Time25

Total Time35

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Chicken Asparagus Pasta

Servings:

Calories: 936kcal

Author: Ryan Allen

Equipment

My Favorite Skillet

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