Recently my meals have taken on a “keep-it-simple” theme, which includes finding and making new meals that only use one pot, pan, or skillet. One day I was surfing Pinterest, pondering what to make with some fresh spring asparagus I had bought and came across this delightful food blog that offered just the ticket for a quick and easy meal. I scaled it down for two people as my daughter wasn’t eating at home that night, and also added some Neufchâtel cream cheese to double the creaminess. The meal offered everything it claimed, including only one pot to clean after. And the bonus? It only took a half hour to make! Two thumbs up all the way around!
One-Pot Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta for Two
Adapted from The Nourished Peach, original recipe here
8 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast
Ground black pepper and Mrs. Dash or salt, to taste
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons butter
4 to 6 ounces asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
2 cups homemade or low sodium chicken broth
3/4 cup milk, any kind
6 to 8 ounces spaghetti noodles
1/8 cup fresh lemon juice (1 small lemon or 1/2 large)
1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan chees
2 ounces Neufchâtel cheese or regular cream cheese
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Season the chicken on both sides with ground black pepper and Mrs. Dash or salt, to taste. Heat the oil and butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add the chicken and cook for about 7 minutes on one side, then turn chicken over and cook for another 7 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the middle. Remove chicken to a cutting board, cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes or so.
Meanwhile add the asparagus to the pot and cook for several minutes, stirring to evenly cook it. In the last minute or so, add the garlic and cook until fragrant. Deglaze the pot with a couple teaspoons of the chicken broth and scrape up the yummy browned bits from the chicken.
Add the thyme, additional ground black pepper, chicken broth, milk, and pasta to the pot. Turn the heat up to medium high and bring up to a boil. Once boiling, turn heat down to medium and gently boil, stirring often with a fork to keep the noodles from sticking to each other.
Simmer for 8 to 15 minutes (we live at high altitude so pasta takes longer) until pasta is cooked to your liking.
Meanwhile slice the chicken into strips then cut into bite-sized pieces. When pasta is done, add the lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, Neufchâtel or cream cheese, and chicken. Stir to completely combine then top with a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes. Serve in bowls along with a side salad. So delicious!
Note: This recipe can easily be double or tripled, use size of pot accordingly.
I recently made my first ever one pot pasta and loved the ease of prep and cleanup. This one looks very tasty! Will be adding it to my list for sure.
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Thank you, it came together so easily!
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Ooooo…. What sound does drooling make? That looks so good, Kathryn. Suddenly I’m starving. What I wouldn’t do for a plate of that right now. Well done my friend. Mega hugs.
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Oh thank you so much Teagan, glad I caught you here. I just left you a comment on your story. So how did the interview go??? I didn’t dare say much about your work over there.
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That was thoughtful of you, Kathryn. It went fine. But I could not get a “read” on them at all. It was the 2 highest ranking Feds at that regional office, the position reports to the lower one. But the video part (at my end) was completely blurry (don’t know what they saw of me). Plus they were sitting at a table. So I couldn’t see facial expressions or read body language at all.
However, it has all the signs of being “pre-selected” — which most jobs are… especially at my agency. They aren’t giving moving expenses either — which is another sign of that.
It took them 3 months to get that far, so I don’t know when I’ll hear anything.
Thanks for thinking of me and for asking. HUgs.
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Oh that’s too bad the video was so bad. Well I am still pulling for you! Where is the position located?
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Oh sorry. It’s in Dallas. 🙂
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Yee-haw! I’d have to learn you how to speak Texan, ya’ heah? 😉
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Love a one pot meal this really sounds incredible Kathryn. Perfect weeknight meal.
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Thanks so much Suzanne, I do love them too. I’m glad to have another one for the rotation for the busy summer months. (Now if just Mother Nature would cooperate. Raining and 43 today. Boo Hiss!)
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YUM! another chicken and pasta recipe!
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Thank Jodi! They do go good together! xo
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Yum
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Thanks Karina!
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🙂
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Yummy let me at it KR!!!xoxoxxo ccc
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Ha, you bet ccc! xoxoxo
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xoxoxo ccc
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One pot meals are so great! Love this dish that has such beautiful flavors, colors and textures. 🙂
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Thank you so much! It really does. 🙂
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Looks so delicious
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Why thank you!
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I would never think to add lemon juice! I bet that’s good. What a nice tweak to the flavor. Thanks for the recipe 🙂
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You bet, the lemon juice added a LOT of flavor to it. Thank you!
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Simply looking yummy!! 😊
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Thank you so much!
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I never would have thought of the combination, but it looks outstanding.
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Why thank you! The flavors were delicious!
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This looks amazing! Do you have any leftovers? 🙂
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LOL Kate, unfortunately not. 🙂 But thank you!
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Yum! This looks delicious Kathryn and the fewer dishes I have to the better!!
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I totally agree with you on that Mel! Thanks! xo
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Cooking the spaghetti this way, ‘risotto style’, does not only save on washing up, but also provides a different flavor and texture. Using good quality chicken stock is paramount. I like the flavor combination in here, although I would use boneless and skinless thighs instead of breast.
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Yes, I do know thighs are less dry than the chicken breasts, but my family (myself included) is not a big fan of dark chicken meat. Which is really a shame because I do want to like thighs. Thank you for stopping by, Stefan.
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Looks so delicious. ..
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Thank you so much, Chitra!
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Love one pot meals! This looks delicious and yummm, Kathryn ! Lovely recipe 🙂
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Thank you so much Freda, I enjoy many of yours too! 🙂
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Thanks Kathryn 🙂
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Looks so tasty! I love asparagus too!
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It is very tasty! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
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OH MY GOODNESS THIS IS DELICIOUS! Even My father, a very very picky eater, volunteered that he liked it – and that’s saying something! I’d never made one-dish pasta before so I followed the recipe to a “T.” (OK, so I might have used a bit more asparagus than it called for). I’ll definitely be making this dish again! The only think I’d change is to remove the asparagus from the pan after sautee-ing it, and then add it back in to the cooked pasta with the chicken. That’s all. And for this evening, the very well-cooked asparagus was perfect for a dish shared with my father!
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Wow hello there SactoSylvia! You went to the IMM, right? Way great to to “see you” again! My spring asparagus was really thick, not the skinny ones, so I think that would be a good call when using the thin stuff. I am so very happy you and your picky-eating father enjoyed this. Thank you so much for stopping by to let me know!!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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After 4 weeks in Europe this year my meals are simple these days too (and very low calorie). Yuck! I’ll file this one away for a bit. Thank you.
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I totally understand Michelle! I would be a complete glutton if I ever got to visit Europe. How could one not resist all that great food??? xoxo
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I love the ease and flavors of this pasta Kathryn! Yummy! 🙂
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Thank you Linda! xoxo
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I love this one pot idea and I am now at Jacki’s so I want to try this lovely pasta tomorrow! xx
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Oh excellent I do hope you get a chance to make it, thank you Lynn! xo
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I really want to, it sounds easier and tastier than other dishes! I will let you know how it goes!
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Kathryn this looks and sounds so drool-worthy. Had I not given up chicken I’d make this often 🤓🤓
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Thanks Tim, what about adding in shrimp instead? I think that would also be tasty. 🙂
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It would. Thanks. My ‘S’ post is now sorted, lol!
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🙂
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One pot meals are my fav!! This recipe looks absolutely fabulous! Saving it and sharing it on twitter & FB 🙂
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Wow thanks so much for the shares! xoxo
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One pot dishes are always an excellent way to go…especially when you are your own sous chef!
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Thanks Brand, yes exactly!
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Yum! One pot meals are the best! 😊
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Thank you I do love them a lot!
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Wow! This is like the ULTIMATE pasta ever!
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I’ll be making this often, thank you Lina! 🙂
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It sounds so damn good!! I’mso sad that the asparagustime is over:(
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Thank you, yes it is sad when spring/summer produce starts going away.
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