Mushroom Asparagus Penne (Printable Version)

Penne pasta mixed with chicken, asparagus, and mushrooms in a smooth, cheesy sauce.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - Two chicken breasts, skinless and boneless, chopped up

→ Veggies

02 - A bunch of asparagus, cut into about 1.5 inch pieces
03 - Four garlic cloves, finely chopped
04 - Two cups mushrooms, sliced thin

→ Pasta

05 - Penne pasta, two cups uncooked

→ Dairy

06 - Two tablespoons butter with no salt
07 - One and a half cups heavy cream
08 - Half a cup Parmesan cheese, grated

→ Oils & Liquids

09 - Two tablespoons olive oil
10 - Two cups chicken broth, low sodium

→ Spices

11 - One teaspoon salt
12 - Half a teaspoon black pepper, ground
13 - One teaspoon paprika
14 - One teaspoon dried Italian herbs
15 - Quarter teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

→ Topping

16 - Parsley freshly chopped

# Detailed Preparation Steps:

01 - Fill a big pot with water, add salt, and bring it to a boil. Cook the penne until it’s just a bit firm, then drain and leave it aside.
02 - Warm up olive oil and butter in a big pan over medium heat. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and paprika on the chicken pieces. Cook them in the pan for 6 to 7 minutes until nicely browned and fully cooked. Take them out and keep them ready.
03 - Use the same pan and add mushrooms. Let them cook without stirring until they’re golden on the edges. Toss in the garlic and Italian herbs and cook till you smell the aroma. Add asparagus and cook for 2 or 3 minutes until it’s just tender but still crisp.
04 - Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Let everything simmer gently so the sauce thickens up. Mix in the Parmesan and red pepper flakes if you want some heat. Make sure the sauce sticks to the back of a spoon.
05 - Put the chicken and drained pasta back into the pan. Stir well to cover everything with sauce. Let it simmer a couple more minutes so the flavors blend nicely.
06 - Dish up while it’s hot and sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley on top.

# Helpful Tips:

01 - Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter dish.
02 - Try adding veggies like spinach or bell peppers to bulk it up with nutrients.
03 - Change the amount of red pepper flakes to make it milder or spicier.

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