Chicken Pasta Primivera

Here is a recipe from Stephanie, a previous contest winner. She submitted this one asking that someone else win this time. She is a wonderful gal! :)


Ingredients:

12 ounce(s) cavatappi or fusilli pasta
2 green onions
4 teaspoon(s) olive oil
1 1/2 pound(s) boneless, skinless chicken-breast halves, cut into 1-inch chunks
Salt and pepper
1 clove(s) garlic, crushed with press
1 pound(s) asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium red pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 cup(s) heavy or whipping cream
1/4 teaspoon(s) crushed red pepper
1/2 cup(s) Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1/4 cup(s) fresh basil leaves, loosely packed, thinly sliced


Directions:

1.Heat large covered saucepot of salted water to boiling on high. Add pasta and cook as label directs. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Return pasta and reserved cooking water to saucepot.
2.Meanwhile, slice green onions; reserve 2 tablespoons sliced dark green tops for garnish. In 12-inch skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil on medium-high until hot. Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Add chicken to skillet and cook 7 minutes or until chicken is browned and no longer pink throughout, stirring occasionally. Transfer chicken to medium bowl; set aside.
3.To same skillet, add remaining 2 teaspoons oil; reduce heat to medium. Add green onions and garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add asparagus and red pepper; cook 6 to 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender-crisp, stirring frequently. Stir in cream, crushed red pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Heat mixture to boiling on medium high. Stir in reserved chicken pieces and remove skillet from heat.
4.To sauce pot with pasta and reserved cooking water, add Parmesan, chicken mixture, and basil; stir to combine. To serve, spoon into bowls and garnish with reserved dark green onion.