Pasta With Chicken And Asparagus

Ingredients

• 1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts, trimmed of excess fat and sinews, and cut into strips 1 1/2 inches by 1/2 inch
• 1 lb asparagus spears, tough ends cut off and discarded, spears cut on the diagonal in 1-inch to 1 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3/4 lb pasta, such as fettuccine or linguini
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tbsp chopped shallots
• 1/2 cup dry sherry
• 3/4 cup to 1 cup of heavy cream
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 pound goat cheese
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese