Description
Creamy chicken and asparagus pasta delivers a delightful Mediterranean-inspired meal with rich flavors. Home cooks can savor this simple yet elegant dish that combines tender chicken, crisp asparagus, and smooth pasta in one satisfying plate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 34 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 1 lb (0.45 kg) asparagus (fresh)
- 8 oz (226 g) pasta (fettuccine or penne)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot of salted water and cook pasta at a rolling boil until perfectly tender, roughly 8-10 minutes. Carefully drain and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Season chicken chunks with salt and pepper, then sauté for 6-7 minutes until achieving a rich golden exterior.
- Introduce minced garlic and freshly chopped asparagus into the skillet. Stir continuously for 3-4 minutes, ensuring asparagus maintains a vibrant emerald color and remains crisp-tender.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Pour in rich heavy cream and bright lemon juice, allowing the mixture to gently simmer and slightly reduce for approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Fold the reserved pasta into the creamy skillet mixture, ensuring each strand gets thoroughly coated. Sprinkle generously with grated Parmesan cheese and integrate completely.
- Transfer to serving plates immediately. Garnish with additional Parmesan shavings and a light dusting of freshly cracked black pepper for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Enhance chicken tenderness by marinating in lemon juice and herbs for 30 minutes before cooking, ensuring a more flavorful and juicy protein.
- Select fresh, crisp asparagus with tight, compact tips to guarantee optimal texture and bright green color during quick sautéing.
- Adjust cream sauce consistency by adding pasta water if too thick, creating a silky smooth coating that clings perfectly to pasta strands.
- Transform recipe into gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta for dietary flexibility.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 21 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 34
- Calories: 267 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 215 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 78 mg