Creamy Penne with Chicken and Asparagus: A Quick & Delicious Weeknight Dinner

Looking for a simple yet elegant meal that’s perfect for a busy weeknight? Look no further than this creamy penne with chicken and asparagus! This dish combines tender chicken, crisp-tender asparagus, and perfectly cooked penne pasta, all coated in a luscious, flavorful cream sauce. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s ready in under 30 minutes. This recipe is easily customizable too – feel free to add your favorite vegetables, cheeses, or herbs to make it your own!

Why You’ll Love This Penne with Chicken and Asparagus Recipe

Quick and Easy: From start to finish, this dish is ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Delicious and Flavorful: The creamy sauce, combined with the savory chicken and fresh asparagus, creates a truly satisfying meal.
Versatile: Easily adaptable to your taste and preferences. You can swap out the chicken for shrimp, add different vegetables, or use a different type of pasta.
Elegant Enough for Guests: While simple to make, this dish looks and tastes impressive enough to serve to guests.
Kid-Friendly: The mild flavors and creamy texture are generally well-received by children.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need to create this delicious penne with chicken and asparagus:

Penne Pasta: 1 pound. You can also use other short pasta shapes like rotini, farfalle (bowties), or rigatoni.
Chicken Breast: 1 pound, boneless and skinless. Cut into bite-sized pieces.
Asparagus: 1 pound, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces. Look for asparagus with firm stalks and tightly closed tips.
Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons. For sautéing the chicken and vegetables.
Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Adds a pungent and aromatic flavor to the dish.
Shallot: 1 small, finely chopped. Offers a milder, sweeter flavor than onion. You can substitute with a small yellow onion if needed.
Dry White Wine: 1/2 cup (optional). Adds depth of flavor to the sauce. You can substitute with chicken broth if you prefer.
Heavy Cream: 1 cup. Creates a rich and creamy sauce. You can use half-and-half for a lighter option, but the sauce won’t be as thick.
Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup, grated. Adds a salty and savory flavor to the sauce.
Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon. Brightens up the flavors and adds a touch of acidity.
Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped. Adds a fresh and herbaceous note.
Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.
Red Pepper Flakes: A pinch (optional). For a touch of heat.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create the perfect penne with chicken and asparagus:

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Sauté the Chicken: While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté the Vegetables: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add the shallot and cook until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Deglaze the Pan: If using white wine, pour it into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine reduce slightly, about 1-2 minutes. This adds a lot of flavor to the sauce.
Add the Asparagus: Add the asparagus pieces to the skillet and cook until they are crisp-tender, about 3-5 minutes.
Make the Cream Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce thicken slightly, about 2-3 minutes.
Combine Everything: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet with the cream sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly.
Add Cheese and Lemon Juice: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and lemon juice. Toss again until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Season and Serve: Taste the dish and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Tips for Perfect Penne with Chicken and Asparagus

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Al dente pasta is key for a good texture. It should be firm to the bite, not mushy.
Use Fresh Asparagus: Fresh asparagus has the best flavor and texture. Look for stalks that are firm and green, with tightly closed tips.
Don’t Overcook the Asparagus: Aim for crisp-tender asparagus. It should still have a slight bite to it.
Adjust the Sauce Consistency: If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, simmer it for a few more minutes to reduce it.
Fresh Herbs are Key: Fresh parsley adds a bright and fresh flavor to the dish. Don’t skip it!
Grate Your Own Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts better and has a more intense flavor than pre-grated cheese.

Variations and Substitutions

This recipe is easily customizable to your taste and preferences. Here are some ideas for variations and substitutions:

Protein: Substitute the chicken with shrimp, sausage, or tofu.
Vegetables: Add other vegetables like mushrooms, peas, bell peppers, or spinach.
Cheese: Use different types of cheese, such as Gruyere, Fontina, or Asiago.
Pasta: Use other short pasta shapes like rotini, farfalle (bowties), or rigatoni.
Sauce: For a lighter sauce, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. You can also add a spoonful of cream cheese for extra creaminess.
Spice: Add more red pepper flakes for a spicier dish.
Lemon Zest: Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the sauce for extra lemon flavor.
Garlic: Roasted garlic can add a sweeter, more mellow flavor.

Serving Suggestions

This creamy penne with chicken and asparagus is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad or some crusty bread for dipping. Here are some other serving suggestions:

Side Salad: A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a great way to balance out the richness of the pasta.
Crusty Bread: Serve with some crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
Garlic Bread: Garlic bread is always a welcome addition to any pasta dish.
Roasted Vegetables: Serve with roasted vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or carrots.

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can prepare some of the components of this dish ahead of time to save time on busy weeknights. Here’s how:

Cook the Chicken: You can cook the chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Chop the Vegetables: You can chop the shallot, garlic, and asparagus ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Make the Sauce: You can make the cream sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat it gently before adding the pasta and chicken.

When you’re ready to assemble the dish, simply cook the pasta, sauté the vegetables, and combine everything in the skillet. This will save you a lot of time and effort on a busy weeknight.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Storage: Store leftover penne with chicken and asparagus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: Reheat the pasta in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce if needed. Avoid overcooking the pasta, as it can become mushy.

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