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 cups

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

slices bacon (, cooked and crumbled into small pieces (optional))