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Lemon Asparagus Pasta with Grilled Chicken

This recipe for lemon asparagus pasta combines tender asparagus and grilled chicken with pasta in a lemon cream sauce. It's a delicious and hearty entree that everyone will want seconds of!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 653 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts grilled and cut into strips
  • 1 pound asparagus ends removed, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 10 ounces linguine pasta (spaghetti or fettuccine will also work)
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
  • Optional garnishes: lemon slices and chopped parsley

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook the pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Add the asparagus to the pot during the last 3 minutes of cooking time.
  2. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking liquid.
  3. In small pot, combine the heavy cream, butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until thick enough to coat a spoon, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice.
  4. Place the pasta and asparagus back into the pot you cooked it in along with the chicken.
  5. Pour the cream sauce over the pasta mixture and toss to coat evenly, adding pasta water if needed to thin the sauce. Stir in the parmesan cheese. Alternatively, you can toss just the pasta with the sauce and arrange the chicken and asparagus over the top of the pasta.
  6. Add more salt and pepper to taste if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and lemon slices if desired.

Notes

  • I like this recipe with grilled sliced chicken, but really any cooked chicken will work. When I'm short on time, I buy a rotisserie chicken and dice up the meat to add to the pasta.
  • It's very important to remove the pan from the heat before you add the lemon, otherwise the sauce could separate.

Nutrition Information

Calories 653kcal (33%) Carbohydrates 59g (20%) Protein 39g (78%) Fat 28g (43%) Saturated Fat 16g (80%) Cholesterol 154mg (51%) Sodium 338mg (14%) Potassium 840mg (24%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 1785IU (36%) Vitamin C 11.4mg (13%) Calcium 175mg (18%) Iron 3.8mg (21%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 653

% Daily Value*

Calories 653kcal 33%
Carbohydrates 59g 20%
Protein 39g 78%
Fat 28g 43%
Saturated Fat 16g 80%
Cholesterol 154mg 51%
Sodium 338mg 14%
Potassium 840mg 18%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 1785IU 36%
Vitamin C 11.4mg 13%
Calcium 175mg 18%
Iron 3.8mg 21%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.