Savory Chicken Marsala Pasta Recipe: Rustic Italian Comfort

Culinary magic happens when you blend the rich, savory chicken marsala pasta into a delightful evening meal.

Italian-inspired comfort whispers through every delectable bite.

Wine-soaked mushrooms dance alongside tender chicken pieces, creating a symphony of flavors.

Professional chefs might guard their secrets, but home cooks can easily master this elegant dish.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in developing complex taste profiles.

Mediterranean influences shine through the delicate sauce that coats perfectly al dente pasta.

Comfort meets sophistication in this simple yet impressive dinner that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Reasons To Love Chicken Marsala Pasta

• Speed Up Dinner: Quickly transform basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal prep and cooking steps.
• Master One-Pan Magic: Prepare an entire delicious protein and vegetable dish using just a single skillet, reducing cleanup and simplifying cooking process.
• Customize Your Comfort: Easily adjust spice levels, swap proteins, or add extra vegetables to match personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Restaurant-Inspired Home Cooking: Recreate a popular takeout favorite with fresh ingredients and control over sodium and seasoning levels, delivering authentic flavors without delivery costs.

What Goes Into Chicken Marsala Pasta

• Chicken Breasts: Tender pieces of meat that form the main protein of the dish.

• Pasta: The foundation of the recipe that provides a hearty and satisfying base for the sauce.

• Marsala Wine: A rich, sweet wine that adds depth and complexity to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious and creamy texture for the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Enhances the overall flavor and helps create a smooth sauce consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor and helps thicken the sauce.

• Garlic: Provides a sharp and aromatic flavor to the dish.
• Mushrooms: Adds an earthy and meaty texture to the sauce.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor.
• Olive Oil: Used for searing the chicken and sautéing the vegetables.

• Parsley: Adds a fresh, bright finish to the dish.

How To Make Chicken Marsala Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Cook the pasta following the package instructions. Once done, drain thoroughly and set the pasta aside, ready for later.

Step 2: Sear Chicken to Golden Perfection

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Cook the chicken until it develops a beautiful golden color and is completely cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a separate plate.

Step 3: Saute Mushrooms and Garlic

Using the same skillet, cook mushrooms until they turn a rich, deep brown. Add garlic and sauté for about a minute, releasing its aromatic flavors.

Step 4: Create a Flavorful Wine Reduction

Pour marsala wine into the skillet, allowing it to simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes. This step concentrates the wine’s delicious essence.

Step 5: Build a Creamy Sauce

Introduce heavy cream and chicken broth to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, creating a luscious sauce base.

Step 6: Incorporate Cheese and Chicken

Stir in Parmesan cheese, then return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Let everything meld together for 3-5 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend beautifully.

Step 7: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Add the previously cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to ensure every strand is coated with the rich, creamy sauce.

Step 8: Finish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh parsley over the dish for a burst of color and fresh flavor.

Serve immediately while the pasta is hot and the sauce is creamy.

Helpful Hints For Chicken Marsala Pasta

• Select chicken breasts with consistent thickness to ensure even cooking and golden searing.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a perfect crispy exterior and prevent steaming.
• Use a dry marsala wine for a richer, less sweet sauce that complements the chicken's savory flavor.
• Choose cremini or baby bella mushrooms for deeper, earthier taste compared to white button mushrooms.
• Make this dish gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta alternatives.

Creative Twists For Chicken Marsala Pasta

• Spicy Marsala Kick: Add red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper to the chicken seasoning for a bold, fiery version of the classic dish.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Incorporate fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano into the sauce, then top with crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Marsala: Replace chicken with portobello mushrooms or plant-based chicken alternative, keeping the rich marsala sauce and creamy texture.
• Lighter Cream Alternative: Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut cream for a healthier, lower-calorie option that maintains the dish's creamy consistency.

Best Pairings With Chicken Marsala Pasta

• Rustic Italian Bistro Plate: Arrange the pasta on a large wooden board, strategically placing golden-seared chicken pieces on top. Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese for an authentic restaurant-style presentation.
• Family-Style Comfort Serving: Transfer the entire pasta dish into a big ceramic serving bowl. Let everyone scoop their own portions, creating a warm, communal dining experience that feels homey and inviting.
• Elegant Dinner Party Plating: Use white porcelain plates with a wide rim. Twirl pasta in the center, delicately place chicken slices on the side, and drizzle extra sauce around the edges. Garnish with a small parsley sprig for sophisticated visual appeal.

Keeping Chicken Marsala Pasta Fresh

• Store leftover Chicken Marsala Pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the dish sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Properly stored, the dish can last up to 2-3 months. Avoid freezing dishes with cream-based sauces for extended periods as they may separate upon thawing.
• Warm refrigerated pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore moisture. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even heating and prevent drying out.

FAQs

• What kind of wine works best for Chicken Marsala Pasta?

Marsala wine is traditional and ideal, but if unavailable, you can substitute dry sherry or Madeira wine for similar rich flavor profiles.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, simply use gluten-free pasta and ensure your chicken broth and other ingredients are certified gluten-free. The recipe can be easily adapted without losing its delicious taste.

• Is Chicken Marsala Pasta a healthy meal?

While tasty, it’s relatively high in calories due to heavy cream and cheese. To make it healthier, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce the amount of Parmesan cheese.

Chicken Marsala Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Rich and creamy chicken marsala pasta brings Italian-American comfort to dinner tables. Perfectly seared chicken, mushrooms, and a velvety marsala wine sauce combine over tender pasta for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1 cup marsala wine
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice
• 2 cups cremini mushrooms
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare pasta according to package instructions, ensuring al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
2. Generously season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear chicken pieces until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 5-6 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.
3. Using the same skillet, sauté mushrooms until they release moisture and develop deep caramelized edges. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30-45 seconds.
4. Pour marsala wine into the skillet, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Allow liquid to reduce and concentrate flavors for 2-3 minutes.
5. Incorporate heavy cream and chicken broth, creating a luxurious sauce. Simmer gently, allowing mixture to thicken slightly.
6. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce, stirring until smoothly integrated. Return cooked chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces into the sauce.
7. Combine reserved pasta with the sauce, gently tossing to ensure even coating. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
8. Finish by scattering fresh chopped parsley over the dish. Serve immediately while hot and sauce is at its peak creaminess.

Notes

• Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to create a vegetarian version that maintains the rich, savory flavor profile of the original dish.
• Toast mushrooms separately to enhance their natural umami and prevent excess moisture from diluting the sauce’s intensity.
• Use gluten-free pasta and ensure marsala wine is gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions, maintaining the recipe’s delicious essence.
• Reserve some pasta water before draining to help create a silkier, more cohesive sauce if the mixture seems too thick during final combining.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 464 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 1023 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 93 mg