Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne This Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne is a luxurious yet simple pasta dish that combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, crisp asparagus, and a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this recipe is packed with flavor and comes together in under 30 minutes. Serve it hot for a comforting meal that everyone will love! Ingredients 8 ounces penne pasta 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 pound chicken breast , diced into bite-sized pieces 1 cup mushrooms , sliced (cremini or button mushrooms work well) 1 cup asparagus , cut into 1-inch pieces 2 cloves garlic , minced 1 cup heavy cream ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese Salt and pepper , to taste Optional: Red pepper flakes for a hint of heat Instructions Step 1: Cook the Pasta Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later. Step 2: Sauté the Chicken Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the diced chicken breast with salt and pepper . Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside. Step 3: Cook the Vegetables In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil . Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and release their moisture. Stir in the asparagus pieces and cook for another 2–3 minutes, until bright green and slightly tender. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir to combine and let it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Season the sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste. For a touch of spice, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes if desired. Step 5: Combine Everything Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained penne pasta and toss everything together until well coated in the creamy sauce and heated through. Step 6: Serve and Enjoy Divide the pasta among serving plates or bowls. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy this creamy, flavorful dish! Tips for Success Pasta Choice: You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like fettuccine, rigatoni, or farfalle. Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add spinach, peas, or broccoli for extra veggies. Lighter Option: Substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream for a lighter version, though the sauce may not be as rich. Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days . Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to loosen the sauce. Why You’ll Love This Recipe This Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne is a harmonious blend of savory chicken, tender-crisp asparagus, and earthy mushrooms, all enveloped in a decadent Parmesan cream sauce. It’s quick to prepare, uses simple ingredients, and feels indulgent without being overly complicated. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or entertaining guests, this dish is sure to impress. Indulge in this creamy, dreamy pasta—it’s comfort food at its finest!

Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne

This Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne is a luxurious yet simple pasta dish that combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, crisp asparagus, and a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions, this recipe is packed with flavor and comes together in under 30 minutes. Serve it hot for a comforting meal that everyone will love!

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken breast , diced into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup mushrooms , sliced (cremini or button mushrooms work well)
  • 1 cup asparagus , cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper , to taste
  • Optional: Red pepper flakes for a hint of heat

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later.

Step 2: Sauté the Chicken

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Season the diced chicken breast with salt and pepper . Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Vegetables

  1. In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil .
  2. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they soften and release their moisture.
  3. Stir in the asparagus pieces and cook for another 2–3 minutes, until bright green and slightly tender.
  4. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce

  1. Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with the vegetables. Stir to combine and let it simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  2. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
  3. Season the sauce with additional salt and pepper to taste. For a touch of spice, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes if desired.

Step 5: Combine Everything

  1. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add the drained penne pasta and toss everything together until well coated in the creamy sauce and heated through.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

  1. Divide the pasta among serving plates or bowls. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired.
  2. Serve hot and enjoy this creamy, flavorful dish!

Tips for Success

  • Pasta Choice: You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like fettuccine, rigatoni, or farfalle.
  • Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add spinach, peas, or broccoli for extra veggies.
  • Lighter Option: Substitute half-and-half or whole milk for heavy cream for a lighter version, though the sauce may not be as rich.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days . Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of cream or pasta water to loosen the sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne is a harmonious blend of savory chicken, tender-crisp asparagus, and earthy mushrooms, all enveloped in a decadent Parmesan cream sauce. It’s quick to prepare, uses simple ingredients, and feels indulgent without being overly complicated. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or entertaining guests, this dish is sure to impress.

Indulge in this creamy, dreamy pasta—it’s comfort food at its finest!