Creamy Mushroom & Asparagus Chicken Penne

Description

Creamy Mushroom & Asparagus Chicken Penne is a cosy, restaurant-style pasta dinner that’s surprisingly easy to prepare at home. Tender pieces of seasoned chicken, earthy mushrooms, crisp asparagus, and perfectly cooked penne are tossed in a silky garlic-Parmesan cream sauce. It’s rich and satisfying, while the fresh vegetables add colour and balance. Perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or when you’re craving comforting pasta without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients

12 oz penne pasta
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp salt, or to taste
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp red pepper flakes, optional
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp chopped parsley

Instructions

Cook the penne in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup pasta water before draining.

Season chicken with garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes, turning occasionally, until completely cooked and golden. Transfer to a plate.

Add butter and mushrooms to the same skillet. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until browned. Add asparagus and cook another 3 minutes, keeping it slightly crisp.

Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Reduce the heat and gently simmer for 2–3 minutes.

Gradually stir in Parmesan until melted and creamy. Add red pepper flakes if desired.

Return the chicken to the skillet, add the drained penne, and toss everything together. If necessary, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.

Finish with lemon juice, parsley, extra Parmesan, and black pepper. Serve immediately.

Notes & Tips

Use freshly grated Parmesan because it melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese. Don’t overcook the asparagus—you want it tender with a little bite.

For an even richer sauce, add an extra tablespoon of butter before serving. For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.

Chicken thighs can replace chicken breast, and spinach or broccoli can replace asparagus.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6

Nutritional Information

Approx. per serving:

Calories: 545
Protein: 34 g
Carbohydrates: 48 g
Fat: 24 g
Fiber: 4 g
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 520 mg

Values are estimates and vary by ingredients and portion size.

Benefits

Chicken provides high-quality protein, while asparagus contributes fibre, folate, and vitamins such as K. Mushrooms add savoury flavour along with several micronutrients. Serving protein, vegetables, and pasta together also makes this an easy all-in-one dinner.