Lemon Asparagus Pasta With Grilled Chicken

I am a huge fan of easy chicken dishes. Some of my all time favorites include baked chicken wings, chicken parmesan pasta, chicken and broccoli pasta and this chicken asparagus pasta. Spring has sprung here in California – the trees are full of blossoms, the temperature has been around 70 degrees and spring produce is starting to pop up in stores. When I saw that asparagus was on sale I had to pick up a bunch to have for dinner, and that’s how this lemon asparagus pasta with grilled chicken came to be.

Lemon Asparagus Pasta Ingredients

To make this recipe you’ll need cooked chicken, asparagus, linguine pasta, heavy cream, butter, salt, pepper, lemon juice, lemon zest and parmesan cheese.

How do you make lemon asparagus pasta?

Start by bringing water to a boil in a large pot, then add your pasta. During the last few minutes of the cooking time, add your asparagus. Make sure to reserve some of the pasta cooking water for later use. In a small pot or skillet, mix together the cream, butter, salt and pepper. Let the sauce thicken, then take it off the heat and stir in lemon juice and lemon zest. Mix the pasta, asparagus, chicken, sauce and parmesan cheese together and toss to coat. Add pasta water as needed to thin the sauce. Sprinkle with parsley if desired, then serve and enjoy.

Tips for the perfect dish

I like this recipe with grilled sliced chicken, but really any cooked chicken will work. When I’m short on time, I buy a rotisserie chicken and dice up the meat to add to the pasta. It’s very important to remove the pan from the heat before you add the lemon, otherwise the sauce could separate. I find that lemon asparagus pasta is best when served immediately, as the pasta will continue to absorb the sauce as it sits. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Flavor Variations

This pasta is great as-is, but you can customize the ingredients to suit your tastes.

Protein: Try a different type of protein such as salmon, scallops or shrimp. For a vegetarian meal, you can use a can of white beans. Pasta: Any long pasta will work including spaghetti, angel hair pasta and fettuccine. Just make sure to adjust the cook time accordingly. I’ve also had success with penne, farfalle and shell pasta. Vegetables: No asparagus on hand? This dish works well with lots of other types of veggies including green beans, broccoli, peas and zucchini.

Once you try lemon asparagus pasta with chicken, you’ll find yourself making it on a regular basis. It’s just that good!