Healthy Living > Nutrition > Recipes > Penne with Asparagus and Chicken

Even though pasta is loaded with carbohydrates, you can still easily enjoy it as part of your diet plan by limiting your carb intake in other meals, using only a moderate amount of pasta, or substituting whole wheat pasta. If you don't like asparagus, this recipe works great with broccoli, green beans, or any of your favorite vegetables.

Ingredients:

• 8-16 oz. dry penne pasta
• 3/4 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 12 oz. asparagus (or other vegetable) cut and rinsed
• 2 tbl. olive oil
• 4 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Cook the pasta in a large pot of lightly salted water until al dente, about 9 minutes.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sautee the chicken pieces until they are light brown on all sides. Remove from pan and set aside. In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil and sauté the garlic, red pepper flakes, and asparagus until tender. Stir in the chicken and cook over low heat for about 3 minutes more.

Toss the pasta, chicken and asparagus, and parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.