Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne 🍝
This Creamy Mushroom and Asparagus Chicken Penne is the perfect comfort meal for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners. Tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, fresh asparagus, and perfectly cooked penne pasta are tossed together in a rich garlic Parmesan cream sauce that tastes like something from a restaurant. It’s creamy, satisfying, and packed with flavor while still feeling fresh thanks to the asparagus. The best part is that everything comes together in about 35 minutes, making it an easy yet impressive dinner idea.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into thin strips
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water in case you need to loosen the sauce later. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken breast and season with salt and black pepper. Cook the chicken for about 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms. Cook for 3–4 minutes until they begin to soften and release their moisture. Add the asparagus pieces and continue cooking for another 3 minutes until the asparagus becomes bright green and slightly tender. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the chicken broth. Let it simmer gently for 1–2 minutes to pick up all the flavor from the pan. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a light simmer. Slowly add the grated Parmesan cheese while stirring continuously until the cheese melts into the sauce and becomes smooth and creamy.
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained penne pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce feels too thick, stir in a little reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Let everything cook together for another minute so the flavors blend perfectly.
Serve the creamy mushroom and asparagus chicken penne warm, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese if desired. This dish pairs beautifully with garlic bread or a simple green salad for a complete and comforting meal. Every bite is rich, creamy, and full of savory flavor with a fresh touch from the asparagus.