Chicken Asparagus Pasta

By
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
Leah Maroney
A recipe developer and food photographer, Leah Maroney is an ardent home cook and food blogger who has written over 300 recipes for The Spruce Eats.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 05/27/21
chicken asparagus pasta

 Leah Maroney

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
558 Calories
26g Fat
54g Carbs
36g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 558
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 26g 33%
Saturated Fat 11g 54%
Cholesterol 98mg 33%
Sodium 1066mg 46%
Total Carbohydrate 54g 20%
Dietary Fiber 10g 35%
Total Sugars 12g
Protein 36g
Vitamin C 122mg 608%
Calcium 277mg 21%
Iron 4mg 24%
Potassium 876mg 19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Lemon, asparagus, and chicken are simple ingredients that combine into something truly special when served on top of pasta.

This pasta dish is perfect for Spring when asparagus is in peak season. The recipe does call for cream cheese, but just enough to create a lightly creamy sauce that clings to the pasta. Garlic, Parmesan cheese, and just a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella give this dish plate-licking status, and parsley and lemon add a pop of brightness and acid to create a perfectly balanced bite.

It gets even better: This whole meal is made in one pan that you can have on the table in less than 30 minutes. Aside from boiling the pasta, you'll use one large sauté pan to cook the chicken, asparagus, and sauce. Bring the pan right to the table for an easy weeknight meal (with equally easy clean-up).

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces pasta

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed

  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper, plus more as needed

  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

  • 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces

  • 1 tablespoon chicken bouillon

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened

  • 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus more for serving

  • 1/4 cup heavy cream, or whole milk, optional

  • 2 tablespoon finely chopped parsley, divided

  • Lemon slices, for serving

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather your ingredients.

    chicken asparagus pasta
    Leah Maroney 

  2. Cook your pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the cooking water just before you drain the pasta.

  3. Season the chicken with about a teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Heat your olive oil in a sauté pan on medium-high heat and add the chicken. Spread out the chicken so that the pieces are not overlapping. You may need to do this step in two batches, depending on the size of your pan.

    Cook until browned on both sides. Toss in the oregano, stir well to distribute evenly, then remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

    chicken asparagus pasta
    Leah Maroney 

  4. Use the same pan to cook the asparagus. Add the minced garlic and asparagus. Sauté for about 2 minutes over medium-high heat, or until the asparagus is bright green but still firm and snappy. Remove the asparagus from the pan and set aside.

    chicken asparagus pasta
     Leah Maroney

  5. Add the reserved pasta water, chicken bouillon, lemon juice, lemon zest, and garlic powder to the pan. Bring to a simmer, then whisk in the mozzarella, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese until the cheeses are melted and incorporated into the sauce. If you are adding heavy cream, add it now.

    chicken asparagus pasta
     Leah Maroney

  6. Add the cooked chicken, asparagus, and cooked pasta to the pan along with a tablespoon of chopped parsley, and toss with the sauce. Add lemon slices and another tablespoon of parsley just before serving.

    chicken asparagus pasta
     Leah Maroney

  7. Garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and dig in!

chicken asparagus pasta
 Leah Maroney

Tips

  • This pasta reheats really well. Just add a little cream or whole milk to a pan, heat it until simmering, then add in the leftover pasta and toss until coated and warmed through.
  • Make sure to use fresh lemon juice, not the bottled kind—the flavor really makes a difference.

Variations

  • Use any kind of pasta you like, but a short pasta that holds sauce well works best. Try rigatoni, medium shells, or rotelle.