Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta

Creamy Chicken and Asparagus Pasta

Ingredients

•     1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded with mallet to even thickness
•     1 Tbsp olive oil
•     1 tsp dried basil
•     1/2 tsp dried oregano
•     1/4 tsp dried thyme
•     1/4 tsp each salt and freshly ground black pepper, plus more for sauce
•     12 oz penne pasta
•     1 lb asparagus, trimmed of ends, remaining diced into 2-inch pieces and steamed
•     1 1/2 Tbsp butter
•     2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
•     2 cloves garlic, minced
•     1 3/4 cup milk (I used 1%)
•     1/4 cup cream or half and half
•     3 oz Neufchatel cheese (aka light cream cheese), diced into pieces
•     1/3 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
•     4 - 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled into small pieces (optional) 

See full instructions : www.cookingclassy.com