Creamy Chicken Asparagus Bake (Print Version)
Tender chicken and bright asparagus in a creamy cheese bake, golden and ready in about 55 minutes.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 2 large chicken breasts (about 1.1 lb), cubed
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 bunch fresh asparagus (about 14 oz), trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
03 - 1 small onion, finely diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauces and Dairy
05 - ¾ cup heavy cream
06 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
07 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
→ Seasonings
09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - ½ tsp paprika
11 - ½ tsp salt
12 - ¼ tsp black pepper
13 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
02 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until lightly browned on all sides but not fully cooked through, about 4–5 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
03 - Add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the same skillet. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes.
04 - Stir the asparagus pieces into the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes until bright green and just barely tender.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese and heavy cream to the skillet, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Season with dried thyme and paprika.
06 - Return the seared chicken to the skillet, folding it into the cream sauce and vegetables. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2–3 minutes so the flavors meld together.
07 - Transfer the entire skillet mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella uniformly across the top.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese topping is golden and bubbling and the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
09 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cheese sauce pulls everything together so luxuriously you will forget it only took one skillet and a baking dish.
- It is low carb without tasting like you made a compromise, which makes it a crowd pleaser across all kinds of eaters.
02 -
- Do not overcook the chicken during the searing step because it finishes cooking in the oven and dry chicken is the one thing that ruins this dish.
- Softening the cream cheese fully before adding it to the skillet prevents ugly lumps that no amount of stirring can fix later.
03 -
- Degrease the skillet with a splash of the cream before adding the rest of the dairy to lift every bit of flavor stuck to the bottom of the pan.
- Broil the top for the final two minutes if you want a deeply bronzed crust that makes people lean in closer when you set it on the table.