Creamy Chicken Asparagus Bake (Printable)

Tender chicken and asparagus in a creamy cheese sauce, baked until golden for an easy family dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
02 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 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 diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant and translucent, about 2 minutes.
04 - Stir asparagus pieces into the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes until bright green and just tender-crisp.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Add softened cream cheese and heavy cream to the skillet, stirring continuously until smooth and well combined. Season with dried thyme and paprika.
06 - Return the seared chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly with the cream sauce and vegetables. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
07 - Transfer the entire mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle grated Parmesan and shredded mozzarella evenly 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 (74°C).
09 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in one skillet before baking, so cleanup is surprisingly painless.
  • The cream cheese and heavy cream sauce tastes like something from a restaurant but requires zero culinary training.
02 -
  • Do not fully cook the chicken during the searing step because it finishes in the oven and overcooked chicken turns dry and stringy.
  • Softening the cream cheese completely before adding it prevents ugly white lumps running through your beautiful sauce.
03 -
  • Grate your own cheeses rather than buying pre shredded bags because anti caking agents on packaged cheese prevent smooth melting.
  • A chilled glass of Chardonnay alongside this bake turns a Tuesday dinner into something that feels like a proper occasion.

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