Penne with Chicken and Roasted Asparagus

Elevate your weeknight dinner with this irresistible Penne with Chicken and Roasted Asparagus recipe! Featuring tender chunks of golden-browned chicken breast, perfectly roasted asparagus with a caramelized edge, and al dente penne pasta tossed in a light, lemony garlic sauce, this dish delivers a burst of fresh, zesty flavors. The Parmesan cheese creates a velvety finish, while a hint of red pepper flakes adds a subtle kick. Ready in under 45 minutes, this well-balanced, crowd-pleasing pasta is perfect for busy evenings or casual entertaining. Garnish with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil for an elegant touch that will have everyone coming back for seconds! Keywords: penne with chicken, roasted asparagus pasta, garlic lemon pasta, easy chicken dinner.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces penne pasta
• 2 large chicken breast
• 1 pound asparagus
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 large garlic cloves
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 medium lemon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

Place the asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.

Step 3

Roast the asparagus in the oven for 12-15 minutes, turning once, until tender and slightly caramelized. Remove from the oven and cut into 2-inch pieces. Set aside.

Step 4

Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest and set the pasta aside.

Step 5

While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.

Step 6

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet, let rest for a few minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.

Step 7

In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.

Step 8

Add the cooked penne, roasted asparagus, and sliced chicken to the skillet. Toss everything to combine.

Step 9

Grate the lemon zest over the pasta, then squeeze in the juice of the lemon. Stir to incorporate.

Step 10

Gradually add the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. This will help create a light sauce.

Step 11

Stir in the Parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.

Step 12

Serve the pasta warm, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1319.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2557.2

Total Fat 88.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.7g
Cholesterol 346.9mg	0%
Sodium 4001.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 282.7g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.5g	0%
Total Sugars 10.0g
Protein 170.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1092.3mg	0%
Iron 24.5mg	0%
Potassium 2627.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.5%

Protein: 26.2%

Carbs: 43.4%