Simplify your dinner routine with this One Pan Chicken and Asparagus recipe! Juicy, seasoned chicken breasts cooked alongside tender asparagus make for a delicious and healthy meal with minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, this easy and flavorful dish will quickly become a family favorite. Let’s get cooking and enjoy a wholesome dinner in no time!
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Why This Recipe Works
This one-pan chicken and asparagus dish is a breeze to make, perfect for busy weeknights. With juicy chicken and tender asparagus all cooked together, One Pan Chicken And Asparagus is a flavorful, wholesome meal the whole family will enjoy.
🥘 Ingredients
- Chicken Tenderloins: Lean and tender, these pieces of chicken cook quickly and evenly, making them perfect for a one-pan dish.
- Asparagus Stalks: These add a fresh, slightly grassy flavor and a wonderful crisp-tender texture to the dish. Asparagus is also rich in vitamins and fiber.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Little bursts of juiciness, these tomatoes add a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the savory notes of the chicken and vegetables.
- White Button Mushrooms: These mushrooms have a mild flavor and a spongy texture that absorbs flavors well, enriching the dish with earthy undertones.
- Olive Oil: A drizzle of olive oil enhances the roasting of the ingredients, adding a subtle fruity flavor and helping to crisp the exteriors of the vegetables.
- Salt and Pepper: Basic yet essential, salt and pepper are used to enhance and balance out the natural flavors of the other ingredients.
- Zesty Italian Dressing: This dressing provides a robust base of herbs and spices that adds a vibrant, tangy kick to the dish.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Adds a rich, slightly sweet acidity that deepens the flavor profile of the dressing, giving it a complex tanginess.
- Honey: Introduces a touch of sweetness to counterbalance the acidity of the vinegar and mustard, adding depth to the dressing.
- Dijon Mustard: Offers a sharp, tangy flavor that provides a nice contrast to the sweetness of the honey and enhances the overall savoriness of the dish.
- Diced Shallot: Brings a mild, slightly sweet onion flavor that infuses the dressing with a subtle depth and aroma.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 How Can I Enhance Chicken Asparagus?
Here are some delicious variations using the listed ingredients for your One Pan Chicken and Asparagus:
- Mediterranean Twist: Add sliced black olives, crumbled feta cheese, and a sprinkle of dried oregano to infuse Mediterranean flavors.
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan: After cooking, drizzle with a creamy garlic Parmesan sauce made with heavy cream, minced garlic, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Balsamic Glazed: Toss the chicken, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and mushrooms in a mixture of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, and minced garlic before roasting for a sweet and tangy glaze.
🔪 How To Make Skillet Chicken And Vegetables
Step One: Generously salt and pepper both sides of the chicken tenders. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken tenders and cook for about 6 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
Step Two: Prepare vegetables while cooking chicken. Mix Italian dressing, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and shallot. Cook mushrooms, then add asparagus and tomatoes. Pour dressing over vegetables and simmer until thickened. Return chicken to skillet, coat, and serve immediately.
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Even Cooking: Ensure even cooking by arranging chicken and asparagus in a single layer on the pan.
- Flavor Boost: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or sprinkle of Parmesan cheese just before serving to enhance the dish's flavors.
💭 FAQs
While fresh chicken breasts or thighs are recommended for the best texture and flavor, you can use frozen chicken as well. Just make sure to thaw it completely before cooking to ensure even cooking and avoid any texture issues.
To keep the chicken juicy, avoid overcooking it. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Cooking it on a single pan with asparagus also helps keep the chicken moist as it cooks in the rendered juices.
Absolutely! Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time for different vegetables so everything cooks evenly.
Yes, you can prep the chicken and vegetables ahead of time and store them in the fridge. When you're ready to cook, just pop everything in the pan and roast. It's perfect for meal prep or a busy weeknight dinner.
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some of the best sides to serve with One Pan Chicken and Asparagus:
- Quinoa Salad: A light and fluffy quinoa salad with diced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a lemon vinaigrette.
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes with roasted garlic, butter, and a hint of parsley.
- White Rice: Fluffy white rice served plain or lightly seasoned with herbs like parsley or dill.
- Roasted Vegetables: A medley of roasted vegetables such as carrots, bell peppers, and zucchini seasoned with herbs and olive oil.
- Steamed Broccolini: Tender steamed broccolini lightly seasoned with salt and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Orzo Pasta: Cooked orzo pasta tossed with olive oil, chopped spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese.
🍽 Related Recipes
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One Pan Chicken And Asparagus
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken Tenderloins
- 10 - 12 Asparagus Stalks
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes
- ¾ cup White Button Mushrooms
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- Pinch Salt And Pepper
- ⅓ cup Zesty Italian Dressing
- 2 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 tablespoon Honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Shallot diced
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Generously salt and pepper both sides of the chicken tenders.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken tenders and cook for about 6 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the chicken cooks, prepare your vegetables. Trim the asparagus and cut into 1-inch pieces, slice the mushrooms, and halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, and diced shallot.
- Cook the Vegetables: Add the mushrooms to the same skillet and cook for 1 minute. Add the asparagus and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until it begins to soften and slightly brown. Then, add the tomatoes.
- Combine and Simmer: Pour the dressing over the vegetables in the skillet. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the Chicken: Return the chicken tenders to the skillet and toss to coat them and the vegetables evenly with the dressing.
- Serve: Transfer everything to a plate and serve immediately.
