Description
Savory chicken marsala pasta brings Italian-American comfort to your dinner table, blending tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a rich marsala wine sauce. Quick and elegant, this dish promises a delightful culinary experience you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms, sliced
Pasta and Dairy:
- 1 pound (450 grams) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or your choice)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
Liquids, Seasonings, and Herbs:
- 1 cup Marsala wine
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta in boiling water until tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Season chicken pieces with kosher salt and black pepper. Sear in hot skillet over medium-high heat until exterior turns golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 6-7 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken from pan and let rest momentarily. In same skillet, melt butter and introduce sliced mushrooms, sautéing until deep caramel color develops.
- Incorporate minced garlic into mushroom mixture, stirring rapidly to prevent burning, cooking for 45-60 seconds.
- Deglaze pan with Marsala wine, scraping accumulated browned fragments from skillet bottom. Allow liquid to reduce by half, concentrating flavors.
- Pour chicken broth and heavy cream into skillet. Sprinkle dried thyme and simmer until sauce slightly thickens, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Fold grated Parmesan cheese into sauce, creating smooth consistency. Return cooked chicken to pan and mix thoroughly.
- Combine prepared pasta with sauce, ensuring every strand becomes generously coated. Warm through completely.
- Transfer to serving platter, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese for enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to create a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, creamy flavor profile.
- Toast the mushrooms separately to enhance their umami depth and prevent them from becoming soggy during cooking.
- Use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly alternative without compromising the sauce’s luxurious texture.
- Reduce the heavy cream by half and substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier sauce that cuts down on calories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 530 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg