Midweek recipe: Creamy lemon chicken with asparagus

Spring has well-and-truly arrived, and with it comes one of Australia’s favourite seasonal vegetables – asparagus. Fresh, crisp and packed with nutrients, asparagus is a star of the season and the perfect addition to any weeknight meal.

If you’re looking for a simple, healthy and delicious Wednesday night dinner recipe, this Creamy Lemon Chicken with Asparagus will tick every box. It’s ready in under 30 minutes, uses one pan, and is light enough for warm evenings while still feeling like comfort food.

Perfect for anyone cooking for one or two, this dish celebrates fresh Australian produce and shows just how easy it can be to eat well midweek.

Creamy Lemon Chicken with Spring Asparagus

Serves: 2

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

2 small chicken breasts (or thighs if preferred)
1 bunch of fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into halves
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
½ cup chicken stock
½ cup light cooking cream (or Greek yoghurt for a lighter option)
Juice and zest of ½ a lemon
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley or dill to serve

Method

Cook the chicken:

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large frypan over medium heat. Cook chicken 4–5 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.

Sauté the asparagus:

In the same pan, melt butter and add garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds before adding asparagus. Cook for 2–3 minutes until just tender but still bright green.

Make the sauce:

Pour in chicken stock, lemon juice, zest, and Dijon mustard. Stir, then add cream and Parmesan. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

Combine:

Return chicken to the pan and spoon over the creamy lemon sauce. Let it all warm through for a minute or two.

Serve:

Sprinkle with fresh parsley or dill, and serve with steamed baby potatoes, rice or crusty sourdough to soak up the sauce.

Why Asparagus?

Asparagus is rich in fibre, folate and vitamin K – all important for bone health and digestion. Plus, it’s low in calories and high in antioxidants, making it ideal for anyone looking to eat lighter as the weather warms up.