Here’s a rich and comforting recipe for Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne—perfect for a weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal.
🍝 Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 12 oz (340 g) penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz (225 g) mushrooms, sliced (cremini or button mushrooms)
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for depth of flavor)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook penne according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté Vegetables
- In the same skillet, add mushrooms and cook 4–5 minutes until softened.
- Add asparagus and cook another 3–4 minutes until bright green and slightly tender.
- Add garlic (if using fresh) and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Make the Creamy Sauce
- Reduce heat to medium. Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to combine.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, Dijon mustard, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.
5. Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet.
- Add cooked penne and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
- If sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
6. Serve
- Garnish with chopped parsley and extra Parmesan if desired.
- Serve immediately with a side salad or garlic bread.
Tips & Variations
- Extra veggies: Add peas, spinach, or zucchini for more color and nutrition.
- Cheese twist: Stir in cream cheese for an extra creamy sauce.
- Low-carb: Substitute penne with zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta.
- Make-ahead: Cook chicken and pasta separately, then reheat with sauce when ready to serve.
This Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne is rich, savory, and loaded with fresh vegetables, making it a hearty yet elegant one-pan dinner.
I can also give a faster skillet version that cooks everything together in under 30 minutes if you want.
Do you want me to do that?
