Creamy Asiago Chicken Asparagus Pasta (Print Version)

Tender chicken and crispy roasted asparagus in a rich Asiago cream sauce over linguine.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 bunch (about 10.5 oz) asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small onion, finely chopped

→ Pasta

05 - 12.3 oz linguine

→ Dairy & Cheese

06 - 4.2 oz Asiago cheese, freshly grated (divided)
07 - 6 fl oz heavy cream
08 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
09 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for garnish)

→ Pantry & Spices

10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
12 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
13 - Zest of 1 lemon (optional)

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss asparagus pieces with 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt, pepper, and half (2.1 oz) of the grated Asiago cheese. Spread on prepared baking sheet and roast for 12–15 minutes until tender with golden crispy cheese. Cool slightly, then roughly chop.
02 - Cook linguine in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 4 fl oz pasta water, then drain and set aside.
03 - Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove to a plate.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, 2–3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and remaining Asiago cheese. Simmer gently until cheese melts and sauce thickens slightly, 2–3 minutes. If too thick, stir in reserved pasta water as needed.
05 - Add cooked linguine, chicken, and chopped roasted asparagus to the skillet. Toss to combine and heat through. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and lemon zest or red pepper flakes as desired. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Asiago or Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted asparagus stays crispy even after tossing with the warm pasta, so you get actual texture and not mushy vegetables.
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, which means you can make it on a Tuesday night without the stress of a weekend project.
  • Asiago has this nutty, almost caramel-like flavor that feels fancier than cream cheese sauce but tastes way more interesting.
02 -
  • The pasta water is not just for thinning sauce—it's got starch that helps everything emulsify together, so keep it and use it instead of just adding more cream.
  • Don't crowd the asparagus on the baking sheet because you're roasting it, not steaming it, and those creases and overlaps will stay mushy and never get crispy.
  • Freshly grated Asiago melts smoothly into the sauce, but the pre-shredded kind can get grainy and separate because of the anticaking powder they coat it with.
03 -
  • Reserve your pasta water before you drain anything because you can't get it back once it's gone, and a splash of it saves a sauce that's gotten too thick.
  • Let the roasted asparagus cool slightly before chopping it so the cheese crisps stays intact instead of softening from the residual heat.
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