Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta
User Reviews
4.9
-
Prep Time
10 mins
-
Cook Time
20 mins
-
Total Time
25 mins
-
Servings
5
-
Calories
460 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
Italian
Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta
Description
Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta features bite-sized pieces of chicken breast cooked in olive oil with garlic and aromatic dried herbs like basil and oregano. Asparagus is cooked briefly with the pasta to retain its color and texture. The sauce combines cream cheese, half and half, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese melted together with chicken broth for richness and smoothness. Red pepper flakes give a gentle warmth without overpowering the flavors. After mixing in the pasta and asparagus, the dish is finished with seasoning adjustments to provide a balanced creamy pasta.
The final pasta offers a tender texture from the cooked penne, a slight crispness from asparagus, and a creamy, cheesy coating from the sauce. The herbs and spices add mild fragrance and subtle heat, making the dish satisfying but not heavy. This pasta is suitable for serving as a main course alongside a simple salad or crusty bread if desired.
Adjustments to the thickness of the sauce can be made by adding extra milk or broth if needed. The recipe notes that the flavor profile can be customized, but the core creamy and herbaceous character is essential. Overall, this recipe provides a filling meal with fresh vegetables and a homemade cream-based sauce from standard pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta , or other bite size pasta
- 1 pound chicken breast cut in small pieces, boneless skinless
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 bunch asparagus ends removed, fresh spears
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons garlic , minced
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon basil dried
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- pinch red pepper flakes crushed
- 1/2 cup chicken broth low-sodium
- 1/4 cup half and half , or substitute whole milk or cream
- 4 ounces cream cheese , cut into pieces
- 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- salt to taste, freshly ground
- black pepper to taste, freshly ground
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. During the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the asparagus to the water. Drain pasta and asparagus.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 2 minutes, browning it on all sides.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add the garlic, onion powder, basil, oregano and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Add chicken broth, half & half, cream cheese, and half of the parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined. Cook until cream cheese is melted and chicken is cooked through.
- Add cooked pasta and asparagus toss to combine.
- Add remaining parmesan cheese and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed. You could also add a splash of milk or chicken broth to thin the sauce, if needed.
Notes
- Use fresh asparagus spears trimmed at the ends for best texture and flavor.
- Adjust the cream cheese amount if you prefer a less thick sauce, adding more half and half or broth as needed.
- Cooking asparagus during the last minutes of the pasta boiling keeps it crisp-tender and bright green.
- Season to taste after combining all ingredients to balance salt and pepper levels.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 5Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 460 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 460kcal | 23% |
| Carbohydrates | 54g | 18% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Cholesterol | 64mg | 21% |
| Sodium | 244mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 404mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 445IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 1.5mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 141mg | 14% |
| Iron | 1.7mg | 9% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
You'll Also Love
