This recipe for lemon asparagus pasta combines tender asparagus and grilled chicken with pasta in a lemon cream sauce. It’s a delicious and hearty entree that everyone will want seconds of! 

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.

Lemon asparagus pasta in a creamy sauce topped with grilled chicken.

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.

A skillet with lemon asparagus pasta, cream sauce and sliced grilled chicken.

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.
A fork serving up a portion of creamy pasta.

Recipe FAQs

How do you prepare asparagus?

Start by snapping the tough woody ends off the asparagus. Next, you’ll want to cut your stalks into 1 inch pieces. You do not need to peel asparagus, as the peel is thin and tender.

What does asparagus pair well with?

Asparagus is great with lean protein such as chicken, shrimp or fish. It also goes nicely with cheese, including parmesan and feta. It is a great addition to many dishes including pasta, pizza, stir fries and even sandwiches.

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!

More great pasta recipes

Lemon Asparagus Pasta Video

4.89 from 114 votes

Lemon Asparagus Pasta with Grilled Chicken

AuthorSara Welch
This recipe for lemon asparagus pasta combines tender asparagus and grilled chicken with pasta in a lemon cream sauce. It's a delicious and hearty entree that everyone will want seconds of!
This recipe for lemon asparagus pasta combines tender asparagus and grilled chicken with pasta in a lemon cream sauce. It’s a delicious and hearty entree that everyone will want seconds of!
Time
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Serves 4 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts grilled and cut into strips
  • 1 pound asparagus ends removed, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 10 ounces linguine pasta (spaghetti or fettuccine will also work)
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
  • Optional garnishes: Lemon slices and chopped parsley

Instructions 

  • Cook the pasta in salted water according to package instructions. Add the asparagus to the pot during the last 3 minutes of cooking time.
  • Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta cooking liquid.
  • In small pot, combine the heavy cream, butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring, until thick enough to coat a spoon, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice.
  • Place the pasta and asparagus back into the pot you cooked it in along with the chicken.
  • Pour the cream sauce over the pasta mixture and toss to coat evenly, adding pasta water if needed to thin the sauce. Stir in the parmesan cheese. Alternatively, you can toss just the pasta with the sauce and arrange the chicken and asparagus over the top of the pasta.
  • Add more salt and pepper to taste if needed. Garnish with chopped parsley and lemon slices if desired.

Notes

  1. 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.
  2. It’s very important to remove the pan from the heat before you add the lemon, otherwise the sauce could separate.

Nutrition

Calories: 653kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Cholesterol: 154mg | Sodium: 338mg | Potassium: 840mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1785IU | Vitamin C: 11.4mg | Calcium: 175mg | Iron: 3.8mg

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Made this last night for dinner. It was delicious. Such a simple recipe to follow. Will make it again. Next I am going to make the chicken and asparagus stir fry. thanks again for these wonderful recipes

  2. 5 stars
    Omg… this recipe is amazing! Made it for my family and EVERYONE loved it including my super picky teenager. I will definitely be making this again!

  3. I think I commented before on how good this is but I can’t help repeating myself! I never deviate from the sauce and asparagus, but this time I used bow ties, used pre-pulled rotisserie chicken from the store, and added chopped tomatoes and chopped spinach. So so good!!!

  4. 5 stars
    A very nice recipe! The lemon was the perfect combination with the asparagus and parmesan. I doubled the amount of sauce and I am glad I did. Thank you for the wonderful recipe. It is a keeper.

  5. Great recipe! I sautéed two cloves of minced garlic and was absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to make it again!

  6. 5 stars
    Absolutely loved this recipe and it was a hit with the family. The only changes made were to the sauce – added a little bit of garlic powder and crushed red pepper for some kick. Perfection! Thank you for the great recipe!!

  7. I made this for a family potluck dinner on 4th of July it was an amazing hit. You can even substitute the chicken for shrimp and have a secondary amazing dish everyone will love. This is now one of my favorite recipes

  8. 5 stars
    Made this & it was a success. The amount of lemon used is refreshing & delicious! A delicious meal that was enjoyed by one that usually doesn’t like lemon in food. I will be making this again!

  9. Good recipe. I added a small garlic clove, minced and a tbsp of capers and extra parmesan. I also cut chicken up and added to pasta. Will make again. Everyone loved it and was ready quickly

  10. 5 stars
    Amazing! Made this for dinner tonight. Had some leftover grilled chicken and thought it might be good. It was actually great. I tripled the cream, butter, and cheese but only doubled the lemon juice and lemon zest for extra sauce. My family is all about the sauce so didn’t want it to be too dry. I will definitely be making this again. So easy and delicious it’s perfect for dinner parties with my neighbors. 👍👍👍