Description
This Creamy Chicken Pasta with Asparagus is the ultimate comfort meal — tender chicken, fresh asparagus, and a silky Parmesan cream sauce tossed with pasta. It’s rich, flavorful, and ready in under 40 minutes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (sliced thin)
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus (trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces)
- 12 oz (340 g) pasta (fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter (divided)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- ½–¾ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ¾ cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden and done. Remove and set aside.
- Cook the asparagus: In the same pan, melt 1 tbsp butter and sauté asparagus 3–4 minutes until crisp-tender. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Lower heat, add remaining butter, then garlic. Sauté 30 seconds, pour in cream, and simmer 3–4 minutes. Stir in Parmesan until smooth. Add reserved pasta water if needed to thin the sauce.
- Combine: Return chicken, asparagus, and pasta to the pan. Toss until coated. Adjust salt, pepper, and finish with lemon juice.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Don’t overcook asparagus—it should remain slightly crisp.
- Add cheese off the heat to prevent curdling.
- For extra protein, add crispy bacon or shrimp.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 140mg