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Creamy Mushroom Asparagus Chicken Penne Recipe for a Flavor-Packed Dinner - Featured Image

Creamy Mushroom Asparagus Chicken Penne Recipe for a Flavor-Packed Dinner

Learn how to make delicious Creamy Mushroom Asparagus Chicken Penne. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

The key to this dish lies in selecting the right ingredients, especially the fresh asparagus and mushrooms. Whenever possible, I pick locally sourced asparagus—it’s so much sweeter and crunchier. For the chicken, I prefer boneless, skinless thighs for extra juiciness, but breasts work well too. Don’t skimp on the cream or Parmesan; they’re what give the sauce that luscious texture and rich flavor.

  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 bunch fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 8 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 10-11 minutes. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Toss in sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and start to brown, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add the asparagus pieces and cook for another 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If the sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen it up.
  7. Return chicken to the skillet and add the cooked penne. Toss everything together until well coated with the creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan or fresh herbs if desired.

  • Author: Jenny
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: International

Keywords: Creamy Mushroom Asparagus Chicken Penne, recipe, cooking, food