Tender Chicken Breast with Asparagus and Cheese Recipe

Whipping up a delightful chicken breast with asparagus proves surprisingly simple for home cooks seeking quick weeknight meals.

Crisp green spears complement tender meat perfectly in this uncomplicated dish.

Melted cheese adds a luxurious touch that elevates the entire experience.

Professional chefs know basic ingredients can create magic when combined thoughtfully.

Weeknight dinners demand efficiency without sacrificing flavor, and this recipe delivers precisely that.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in crafting something memorable.

You’ll want to bookmark this straightforward yet impressive meal for future culinary adventures.

What Makes Easy Chicken Breast With Asparagus And Cheese Shine

• Quick Weeknight Winner: Minimal prep and cooking time make this dish perfect for busy families seeking a delicious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Nutritious One-Pan Delight: Combines lean protein from chicken with vitamin-rich asparagus and calcium-packed cheese, delivering a balanced meal in a single skillet.
• Beginner-Friendly Cooking: Simple techniques like searing and baking mean even novice cooks can create a restaurant-quality dinner with confidence and ease.
• Customizable Flavor Boost: Flexible recipe allows adding red pepper flakes or experimenting with different herbs and cheeses to match personal taste preferences.

Chicken, Asparagus & Cheese Bake Ingredients

• Chicken Breast: Tender and lean protein that serves as the main dish, choose fresh and evenly sized breasts for consistent cooking.

• Mozzarella Cheese, Parmesan Cheese: Creamy and flavorful topping that adds richness and helps create a golden crust, opt for freshly grated cheese for best melting.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Classic seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor, use freshly ground pepper for more intense taste.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional spicy element that adds heat and depth to the dish.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Combination provides rich flavor and helps create golden sear on chicken, use unsalted butter for better control of saltiness.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb for garnish that adds color and light herbal notes, choose vibrant green leaves.

• Asparagus Spears: Fresh green vegetable that complements the chicken, select bright green, firm spears with tight tips.

Chicken Breast with Asparagus & Cheese Cooking Steps

Step 1: Warm Up the Kitchen

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F.

This will create the perfect cooking environment for our delicious chicken adventure.

Step 2: Spice Up the Chicken

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Massage these seasonings all over the chicken, making sure every inch gets some love.

Step 3: Sizzle and Brown

Heat up a large oven-safe skillet with a combo of olive oil and butter.

Once it’s hot and shimmering, place the seasoned chicken breasts into the pan.

Let them dance and sizzle for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust.

Step 4: Add Some Green Goodness

Carefully arrange fresh asparagus spears around the beautifully browned chicken in the skillet.

These green beauties will add a crisp, fresh element to the dish.

Step 5: Cheese It Up

• Mozzarella cheese
• Parmesan cheese

Generously cover the chicken and asparagus.

For those who enjoy a little kick, scatter some red pepper flakes across the top.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the entire skillet into the preheated oven.

Let everything bake for 15-20 minutes until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Pull out the skillet and shower the dish with freshly chopped parsley.

Serve immediately while hot and bubbling with cheesy goodness.

Quick Tips for Chicken, Asparagus & Cheese

• Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry edges.
• Use freshly grated cheese instead of pre-shredded for smoother, more even melting and better flavor distribution.
• Choose thin, fresh asparagus spears for the most tender texture and trim the woody ends before cooking to improve overall dish quality.
• Replace mozzarella with low-fat or dairy-free cheese alternatives to create a keto-friendly version of this recipe.
• Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving to brighten the dish and enhance the natural flavors of chicken and asparagus.

Chicken Asparagus Bake Reheat Plan

• Store leftover chicken and asparagus in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, place chicken and asparagus in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Heat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stopping halfway to stir and ensure even warming, preventing rubbery texture.
• Verify internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F when reheating to eliminate potential bacterial growth and ensure food safety.

Light Sides for Chicken & Asparagus

• Pair Perfectly with Crisp White Wine: Select a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to complement the chicken's light flavor and cut through the rich cheese.
• Create Zesty Side Salad: Toss mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette and toasted almonds to add brightness and crunch that balances the creamy cheese and tender chicken.
• Match with Herbed Quinoa: Prepare quinoa with fresh herbs like basil and thyme to provide a nutritious, aromatic accompaniment that enhances the dish's delicate flavors.
• Serve with Roasted Garlic Bread: Prepare crusty bread brushed with olive oil and roasted garlic to soak up the delicious pan juices and cheese, creating a complete meal experience.

Chicken With Asparagus Served Differently

• Vegetarian Swap: Replace chicken with firm tofu or portobello mushrooms, keeping the same seasoning and cooking method for a plant-based alternative.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute asparagus with zucchini or cauliflower to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the cheesy, flavorful profile.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives like cashew cheese to accommodate lactose-intolerant or vegan dietary needs.
• Spicy Herb Remix: Replace mozzarella with pepper jack cheese and add fresh thyme or rosemary for an extra kick of flavor and aromatic herbs.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes, you can substitute mozzarella and Parmesan with other melting cheeses like provolone, cheddar, or Swiss. Choose a cheese that melts well and complements the chicken.

• How do I know if the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is safe to eat when it reaches 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the thickest part of the chicken to ensure there’s no pink.

• What if my asparagus is thick or thin?

Adjust cooking time based on asparagus thickness. Thinner spears might cook faster, so add them to the skillet a few minutes later or reduce overall baking time to prevent overcooking.

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

You can season the chicken and prepare the ingredients in advance. However, for best results, sear and bake the chicken just before serving to maintain its crispy exterior and juicy interior.

Easy Chicken Breast with Asparagus and Cheese Recipe

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4.5 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy cheese-draped chicken breast mingles with crisp asparagus in this delightful Mediterranean-inspired dinner. Savory flavors and elegant presentation promise a quick gourmet meal you can master in minutes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Cheese:

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 pound (454 grams) fresh asparagus, trimmed
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a moderate temperature, preparing a cooking vessel for the poultry preparation.
2. Massage the chicken breasts with aromatic seasonings, ensuring an even coating of flavor-enhancing spices.
3. Introduce a blend of olive oil and butter to a heavy-bottomed skillet, creating a golden searing surface for the meat.
4. Carefully place the seasoned chicken into the heated pan, developing a rich caramelized exterior by cooking each side until a warm bronze color emerges.
5. Gently nestle fresh asparagus spears around the partially cooked chicken, creating an elegant arrangement in the skillet.
6. Generously distribute mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the surface of the chicken and vegetables, allowing for a luxurious melting effect.
7. Optionally, sprinkle red pepper flakes to introduce a subtle heat and complexity to the dish.
8. Slide the entire skillet into the preheated oven, allowing the ingredients to meld and cook thoroughly for approximately 15-20 minutes.
9. Verify the chicken’s doneness by confirming it reaches a safe internal temperature, ensuring complete cooking.
10. Finish the dish with a light garnish of freshly chopped parsley, adding a vibrant touch of color and fresh herbaceous note.
11. Serve immediately while the cheese remains gloriously melted and the chicken retains its juicy perfection.

Notes

• Ensure chicken is at room temperature before cooking to promote even heating and prevent dryness.
• Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels to achieve golden-brown searing and crisp exterior.
• Choose fresh, firm asparagus with tight tips for the best texture and flavor in the dish.
• For a low-carb option, replace cheese with nutritional yeast or dairy-free alternatives to accommodate different dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 45g
• Cholesterol: 125mg