![Spaghetti with chicken and asparagus topped with cheese on blue and white striped cloth](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/TPzWT081V0McyoIfslpJRdRlTLk=/750x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Lemon-AsparagusSpaghettiwithBasilChicken-85acf5f9ed074f99bd1270a983ae651b.jpg 750w)
Comfort food comes in all shapes and sizes. It really just requires you knowing what you like. While this Lemon Asparagus and Chicken Pasta recipe may not be as creamy as similar dishes, it’s one worth returning to in the spring and summer.
Any chicken pasta feels like a comfort food, but the pasta needs to match the season. Asparagus are best between the months of March and June, and lemon juice can help enhance flavors but also provide a nice exclamation point to the meal. This recipe also includes red pepper flakes for a little kick, four garlic cloves, and Parmesan cheese.
What helps bring the saucy texture in this recipe is pesto. Basil is fresh and summery and helps make this recipe a bright creation. If you want the freshest pasta you can make, prepare a instead. Store-bought pesto jars are great because they can cut down on the prep time, but try to buy the freshest pesto at the grocery store.
This pasta recipe uses spaghetti noodles, and there likely isn't a more classic option. American chef Missy Robbins writes in , “Is there anything more emblematic of Italy’s greatest food than spaghetti? Our childhood cravings and wanderlust for Italy are all captured in the twirl of a forkful.”
This recipe is no different. Spaghetti is always well stocked in stores as well as a few other classic options. Of course, you can use what noodles you have on hand. Pasta is pasta, so feel free to substitute or add ingredients as you see fit. This recipe benefits from its simplicity though, so enjoy the fresh ingredients and comforting flavors.
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Ingredients
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½ (16 ounce) package spaghetti
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2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
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4 (5-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
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¼ cup basil pesto, or to taste
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1 bunch asparagus, cut into 2-inch pieces
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4 cloves garlic, chopped
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1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
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½ lemon, juiced
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1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
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salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Directions
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Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
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While pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Flip, add a dollop of pesto to each chicken breast, and continue to cook, flipping as needed, until no longer pink in the centers, 7 to 10 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
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Heat remaining oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add asparagus and cook for 1 to 3 minutes, depending how tender you like it. Add garlic, pepper flakes, and lemon juice; cook for 1 minute. Add cooked pasta, a dollop of pesto, and Parmesan cheese; stir until cheese melts. Add a tablespoon of the reserved pasta water if cheese begins to stick to the pan.
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Chop chicken and add on top of spaghetti. Season with salt and pepper.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
564 | Calories |
24g | Fat |
27g | Carbs |
59g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings Per Recipe 4 | |
Calories 564 | |
% Daily Value * | |
Total Fat 24g | 31% |
Saturated Fat 7g | 35% |
Cholesterol 135mg | 45% |
Sodium 559mg | 24% |
Total Carbohydrate 27g | 10% |
Dietary Fiber 4g | 14% |
Total Sugars 4g | |
Protein 59g | 118% |
Vitamin C 20mg | 22% |
Calcium 362mg | 28% |
Iron 4mg | 21% |
Potassium 824mg | 18% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
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