Description
Hearty chicken marsala casserole brings classic Italian-American comfort to dinner tables with rich mushroom sauce and tender chicken. Creamy layers and herb-infused breadcrumbs create a satisfying meal you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 12 oz (340 grams) penne or rotini pasta, cooked al dente
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Secondary Ingredients:
- 8 oz (226 grams) sliced mushrooms
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 cup Marsala wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even heating.
- In a large skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat and introduce cubed chicken seasoned with salt and pepper. Sauté until golden and thoroughly cooked, approximately 5-6 minutes, then transfer to a separate plate.
- Using the same skillet, sauté mushrooms, onions, and minced garlic, allowing mushrooms to caramelize and onions to become translucent, roughly 5-7 minutes.
- Pour Marsala wine into the skillet, combining with chicken broth and thyme. Allow the liquid to gently simmer and reduce, concentrating the flavors for about 5 minutes.
- Incorporate heavy cream into the sauce, continuing to simmer until the mixture thickens and develops a luxurious consistency, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish and layer cooked pasta as the foundation, then distribute the browned chicken evenly across the surface.
- Pour the rich Marsala sauce over the chicken and pasta, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
- Generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the top of the casserole, creating a melty, golden crust.
- Transfer the casserole to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese becomes perfectly melted and develops a slight golden-brown bubbling.
- Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finishing touch before serving.
Notes
- Achieve perfectly browned chicken by patting it dry before cooking and avoiding overcrowding the skillet to ensure even caramelization.
- Swap heavy cream with lighter alternatives like half-and-half or Greek yogurt for a healthier version that still maintains creamy texture.
- Boost flavor complexity by adding a splash of brandy or white wine to the Marsala sauce for deeper, more sophisticated taste notes.
- Make the dish gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta and ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive diets.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg