Amazing creamy chicken asparagus pasta in 18 min

Name: Amazing creamy chicken asparagus pasta in 18 min
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces; ½ teaspoon salt divided; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 leek thinly sliced; 2 garlic cloves minced; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; 12 ounces penne pasta; 3½ cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 pound asparagus trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces; 3 ounces cream cheese softened; 1 teaspoon lemon zest; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

By anna Boncoeur On August 15, 2025

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If you’re anything like me, weeknights demand maximum flavor with minimum fuss. That’s why I’m so thrilled to share my recipe for creamy chicken asparagus pasta. Honestly, this dish is a lifesaver when you need something cozy, delicious, and on the table fast—we’re talking under 30 minutes total!

Hi there! I’m Anna, and I’m passionate about sharing simple and flavorful chicken recipes designed to make everyday cooking easier and, more importantly, more joyful. I’ve spent years perfecting meals that taste like they took all afternoon but actually come together while you’re checking your email.

This one-pot wonder proves you don’t need tons of dishes or complicated steps for a restaurant-worthy lemon cream sauce. Trust me, after making this a few times, you’ll realize how much time you save while still delivering a fantastic, tender chicken and bright asparagus dinner. It’s my go-to when I need a win!

Table Of content

Gathering What You Need for Creamy Chicken Asparagus Pasta

When you’re aiming for a quick dinner, the prep phase is everything. Laying everything out first means you won’t be scrambling when the heat is on. This recipe is designed to be super straightforward, but having your ingredients chopped and measured makes the 18-minute cook time feel like a breeze. Let’s get organized!

Core Ingredients for the Creamy Chicken Asparagus Pasta

To make this amazing creamy chicken asparagus pasta, you’ll need these specific items ready to go. Don’t skimp on the fresh stuff—it makes a difference!

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
\u00bd teaspoon salt divided (We’ll use it in two stages!)
\u00bc teaspoon black pepper
1 leek thinly sliced (Make sure you wash it well!)
2 garlic cloves minced
\u00bd teaspoon dried thyme
12 ounces penne pasta
3\u00bd cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 pound asparagus trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
3 ounces cream cheese softened (This is key for the texture!)
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives (These are better than dried here, trust me!)

Essential Equipment List

You don’t need a million gadgets for this one-pot meal, but these tools will make the process smooth and ensure perfect results every time.

A large deep skillet (one that has a lid, if possible!)
Measuring cups and spoons
A sharp knife and cutting board
A meat thermometer (This is non-negotiable for chicken safety!)

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Creamy Chicken Asparagus Pasta

Okay, we have everything ready, so let’s dive into making this incredible creamy chicken asparagus pasta. Since this is a one-pot wonder, things move really fast once you start cooking, so keep your ingredients close by! The timing here is what separates a good pasta from a great one.

Searing the Chicken

First things first, we need to get some color on that chicken. Heat up your olive oil in that big, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Take your bite-size chicken pieces and sprinkle them with half of your salt (that’s about a quarter teaspoon) and all that black pepper. Don’t crowd the pan—you want them to sear, not steam! Cook them undisturbed for a full four minutes until they get a nice golden crust on the bottom. Give them a stir, cook for two more minutes until they’re just cooked through, and then pop that chicken out onto a clean plate. We’ll bring it back later!

Building the Flavor Base

Now, turn that heat down to medium—we don’t want to scorch anything. Toss in your thinly sliced leek, the minced garlic, and the dried thyme, along with the remaining quarter teaspoon of salt. We’re going to cover the pan and let those aromatics soften up for about four minutes. Stir them every so often so they don’t stick to the bottom. When the leeks look soft and smell amazing, we’re ready for the main event.

Simmering the Pasta and Chicken

Time to bring everything back together! Return that seared chicken to the skillet. Now, add your penne pasta and pour in all 3 and a half cups of chicken broth. Turn the heat up until it starts to simmer gently, then immediately reduce it so you maintain a nice, gentle bubble—not a rolling boil. Let this cook for about nine to ten minutes, stirring every couple of minutes so the pasta doesn’t clump up on the bottom. Here’s the crucial timing tip: during the last five minutes of that simmering time, throw in your two-inch asparagus pieces. They’ll cook perfectly alongside the pasta.

Achieving the Signature Creamy Chicken Asparagus Pasta Texture

Once the pasta is tender, the asparagus is bright green, and the chicken is definitely cooked through (remember, we are aiming for that 165°F internal temperature), take the whole skillet right off the heat. Don’t cook it further, or the sauce can break! Now for the magic: vigorously stir in that softened cream cheese until it melts right into the broth, giving you that gorgeous, thick sauce. Follow that up with the lemon zest and the fresh lemon juice. Keep stirring until it’s silky smooth. Taste it now—you might want a tiny pinch more salt! Finally, sprinkle everything generously with those fresh chives and serve it immediately while it’s hot and luscious.

Tips for Success Making Creamy Chicken Asparagus Pasta

Even though this is a fast one-pot meal, a few little tricks will make your creamy chicken asparagus pasta absolutely flawless every single time. Don’t skip these notes; they come from years of trial and error in my own kitchen!

Ensuring Proper Chicken Temperature

I can’t stress this enough, especially when cooking chicken quickly in a skillet: always use your meat thermometer. We need that chicken to hit 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 Celsius) before you take it out of the pan. Undercooked chicken is a no-go, and overcooked chicken gets dry, which defeats the purpose of our creamy sauce!

Ingredient Preparation for Even Cooking

Because everything cooks together in the same pan, uniform sizing is your best friend here. Cut your chicken into roughly the same bite-size pieces so they all finish cooking at the same time. Similarly, make sure your asparagus is trimmed and cut into consistent 2-inch segments. This ensures that when the pasta is done, the vegetables aren’t tough or overly mushy.

Ingredient Notes and Simple Substitutions

Sometimes you open the fridge and realize you’re missing one thing, or maybe you just prefer a different flavor profile. That’s okay! This creamy chicken asparagus pasta is actually pretty forgiving, but there are a few swaps that work better than others.

If you don’t have leeks, you can absolutely use a small yellow onion instead. Just chop it up the same way you would the leeks and cook it until it’s translucent. If you’re out of fresh garlic (gasp!), you can use about half a teaspoon of garlic powder, but you need to add it when you add the pasta and broth, not while you’re softening the leeks, or it will burn.

When it comes to the creaminess, cream cheese is the star because it melts so beautifully without separating. If you absolutely must, you can substitute it with half a cup of heavy cream mixed with a tablespoon of cornstarch added at the end, but you’ll lose some of that wonderful tang that the cream cheese brings to the lemon sauce. Also, if you want to skip the chicken, this works great with shrimp—just toss the shrimp in for the last two minutes of simmering because it cooks so much faster! If you are looking for more quick chicken dinner ideas, check out my red curry chicken in 30 minutes.

Storing and Reheating Your Creamy Chicken Asparagus Pasta

Leftovers are the best part of a quick dinner, right? This pasta holds up surprisingly well, but because of that lovely cream sauce, we have to be gentle when we bring it back to life. You want to enjoy that creamy texture, not a dry, clumpy mess!

Storing Leftovers Safely

When you’re done eating, make sure any remaining creamy chicken asparagus pasta gets tucked away quickly. Scoop it into a clean, airtight container. I usually aim to get it into the fridge within two hours of serving. It should be good for about three to four days tucked in there.

Reheating Instructions for Best Results

The biggest challenge with cream sauces is reheating them directly on the stove, as they can get too thick or split. I always recommend reheating this gently over medium-low heat. The trick is to add a splash of extra broth or a tiny splash of milk while stirring constantly. This loosens the sauce back up beautifully without overheating it. For more easy weeknight chicken meals, see my guide on light creamy chicken dinner.

Storage Duration	Best Reheating Method
3–4 Days (Refrigerated)	Stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of broth.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Easy Chicken Dinner

I know you might have a few lingering questions before you jump into making this, so here are the things I get asked most often about this super easy chicken dinner. Getting these little details right makes all the difference!

Can I Use Different Pasta Shapes in This Creamy Chicken Asparagus Pasta

Yes, you absolutely can swap out the penne! Just remember that pasta shapes absorb liquid differently. If you use a smaller shape, like rotini or elbow macaroni, it might cook faster, so keep an eye on it—you might need to pull it off the heat a minute or two early. Larger shapes, like shells or rigatoni, might need an extra splash of broth during that 9-10 minute simmer time because they soak up more liquid.

How Can I Make the Sauce Thicker or Thinner

If your sauce ends up too thin after stirring in the cream cheese, don’t panic! The easiest fix is to let it simmer uncovered for another minute or two to allow some steam to escape and concentrate the sauce. If it’s still too runny, you can whisk together one teaspoon of cornstarch with two teaspoons of cold water to make a slurry, then stir that in while the skillet is off the heat. For a thinner sauce, just stir in a splash of extra chicken broth until you hit that perfect consistency for your creamy chicken asparagus pasta. If you enjoy quick pasta dishes, you might also like my garlic chicken pasta in 20 minutes.

Sharing Your Creamy Chicken Asparagus Pasta Experience

Seriously, I hope this recipe becomes a staple in your rotation just like it is in mine! I love hearing how these simple dinners turn out for you all. Once you’ve tried this creamy chicken asparagus pasta, please come back and let me know what you thought! A quick star rating or a comment about your favorite part really makes my day! You can also follow along for more quick recipe ideas on Pinterest.