Easy & Cozy Chicken Marsala Pasta Recipe for Dreamy Dinners

Chicken marsala pasta offers a luxurious twist on classic comfort food that instantly warms your soul.

Robust flavors merge seamlessly in this delightful culinary creation, promising a memorable dining experience.

Rich wine-infused sauce coats tender pasta strands with elegant depth and complexity.

Italian-inspired ingredients dance together, redefineing simple components into something extraordinarily satisfying.

Fragrant mushrooms and succulent chicken complement each other, creating layers of harmonious taste sensations.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore this restaurant-quality dish that requires minimal preparation.

Authentic techniques combine with accessible ingredients to deliver a restaurant-worthy meal that feels both sophisticated and homey.

Reheating Marsala Pasta Like a Pro

• Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed chicken marsala pasta will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: Transfer cooled pasta to freezer-safe containers, removing as much air as possible. Freeze for up to 2 months. Note that cream-based sauces might slightly separate upon thawing.
• Reheating: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or reserved pasta water to restore moisture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating. Microwave as a quick alternative, stirring halfway through for consistent temperature.

What Pairs Nicely with This Creamy Dish

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Chianti or Sangiovese to complement the rich, savory flavors of the Chicken Marsala pasta. These medium-bodied Italian wines enhance the mushroom and wine sauce with their earthy undertones.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: Prepare a crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the dish's richness. The peppery greens and bright acidity will balance the hearty pasta and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Add Crusty Garlic Bread: Serve warm, crusty Italian bread brushed with olive oil and roasted garlic. The bread will soak up the delicious Marsala sauce and provide a perfect textural companion to the creamy pasta.
• Complement with Roasted Vegetables: Prepare simple roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts seasoned with sea salt and cracked pepper. The caramelized vegetable edges will add depth and nutrition to the meal without overwhelming the main dish.

Ways to Reinvent Your Marsala Pasta

• Vegetarian Marsala Melody: Replace chicken with hearty portobello mushrooms or tofu cubes, maintaining the rich Marsala sauce and pasta base for a plant-based alternative.
• Seafood Symphony: Swap chicken for succulent shrimp or scallops, creating a luxurious coastal version that captures the essence of the original recipe's depth and complexity.
• Spicy Mediterranean Mix: Incorporate red pepper flakes, add sun-dried tomatoes, and use pancetta instead of chicken for a zesty Mediterranean-inspired transformation that elevates the classic dish.
• Light Herb Garden Fusion: Use chicken breast instead of thighs, increase fresh herbs like basil and thyme, and add a splash of lemon zest to create a lighter, brighter interpretation of the original recipe.

What Makes Chicken Marsala Pasta So Comforting

• Flavor-Packed Comfort: This chicken Marsala pasta delivers a rich, deeply satisfying taste with the perfect balance of savory chicken, earthy mushrooms, and tangy Marsala wine that dances on your taste buds.
• Effortless Gourmet Experience: Despite looking like a restaurant-quality dish, the recipe is surprisingly straightforward, allowing home cooks to create a sophisticated meal with minimal culinary expertise and just one skillet.
• Texture Triumph: The golden-brown chicken, caramelized mushrooms, and perfectly cooked pasta create a delightful textural journey- crispy edges, tender meat, and silky sauce combine for an irresistible eating experience.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: From start to finish, this pasta comes together in about 30 minutes, making it an ideal solution for busy families craving a delicious, homemade dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for a Cozy, Saucy Pasta Night

• Pappardelle or Other Long Flat Pasta: Wide, ribbon-like pasta perfect for capturing rich sauces and providing a hearty base for the dish..
• Chicken Thighs or Chicken Breasts: Tender meat that absorbs flavors well, with thighs offering more richness and moisture compared to breasts..
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps create a light, crispy coating for the chicken and thickens the sauce slightly..
• Dried Oregano: Adds an earthy, herbal flavor that complements the chicken and mushrooms..
• Kosher Salt: Enhances the overall seasoning and brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients..
• Black Pepper: Provides a subtle heat and depth to the dish..

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Unsalted Butter: Creates a rich, flavorful base for sautéing and adds depth to the sauce..
• White Button Mushrooms: Meaty, mild-flavored fungi that absorb surrounding flavors and provide a hearty texture..

• Shallots: Mild, sweet allium that adds a delicate onion-like flavor to the sauce..
• Dry Marsala Cooking Wine: Brings a rich, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor characteristic of the classic dish..
• Sherry Vinegar, Balsamic Vinegar: Adds acidity and complexity to balance the richness of the sauce..

• Parmigiano Reggiano: Aged Italian cheese that adds a salty, nutty finish to the dish..
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh herb that provides a.

Cooking Pasta That Feels Like a Warm Hug

Step 1: Prepare Pasta Base

Grab a big pot and fill it with water. Sprinkle in a generous handful of kosher salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Drop in your pasta and cook until it’s perfectly tender. Scoop out a mugful of pasta water before draining. Set the cooked pasta to the side.

Step 2: Coat Chicken Pieces

• Chicken pieces
• Flour
• Dried oregano
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Massage the seasonings into the chicken until every piece is beautifully coated.

Step 3: Golden Brown Chicken Magic

Heat a large skillet with a splash of olive oil and a knob of butter. Carefully place chicken pieces in the pan. Let them sizzle undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until they develop a gorgeous golden crust. Flip and cook the other side until evenly browned. Transfer the chicken to a waiting plate.

Step 4: Mushroom Melody

In the same skillet, add another drizzle of oil and butter. Tumble in sliced mushrooms and let them dance in the pan. Allow them to caramelize without moving for a few minutes. Toss in finely chopped shallots and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Cook until the shallots become translucent and fragrant.

Step 5: Sauce Symphony

• Marsala wine
• Sherry vinegar
• Balsamic vinegar

Scrape up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Slide the chicken back into the skillet and let everything simmer and mingle.

Step 6: Bring It All Together

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet. Pour in some reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Generously grate Parmigiano cheese over the top. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and toss everything together until perfectly combined.

Step 7: Serve with Love

Plate up your creation immediately. Crown each serving with an extra sprinkle of cheese and a handful of fresh parsley. Dive in while it’s hot and enjoy the burst of flavors!

Tips to Get Saucy and Tender Results

• Maximize Chicken Flavor: Pat chicken pieces completely dry before dredging to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust and maximum flavor absorption.
• Master Mushroom Browning: Let mushrooms cook undisturbed initially to develop deep, rich caramelization and prevent soggy texture.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Gradually add reserved pasta water while tossing to achieve the ideal sauce thickness, preventing it from becoming too dry or runny.
• Elevate Wine Selection: Choose a quality Marsala wine with medium sweetness to complement the savory chicken and enhance overall dish complexity.
• Perfect Pasta Timing: Cook pasta just until al dente, as it will continue absorbing sauce when combined, preventing potential mushiness.

Cozy & Comforting Chicken Marsala Pasta Recipe

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Chicken Marsala Pasta brings Italian-American comfort to your dinner table with elegant simplicity. Succulent chicken, earthy mushrooms, and rich Marsala wine sauce mingle perfectly over al dente pasta, inviting you to savor each delicious forkful.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta & Chicken:

• 1 lb (453.6 grams) pappardelle or other long, flat pasta
• 2.5–3 lbs (1.13–1.36 kilograms) chicken thighs, boneless, skinless (about 6 thighs; or substitute chicken breasts)

Dry Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt (plus more for cooking pasta)
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Fats, Vegetables & Liquids:

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 2 pints (567 grams) white button mushrooms, stems removed, caps thinly sliced
• 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
• ¾ cup dry Marsala cooking wine
• ¼ cup sherry vinegar
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Garnishes:

• ¼ cup (25 grams) Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped (plus more for serving)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a spacious cooking vessel with generously salted water, bringing it to a vigorous boil. Immerse pasta and cook until tender, maintaining a slight firmness. Extract and preserve a portion of starchy liquid before draining.
2. Transform chicken thighs into bite-sized morsels, then envelop in a seasoned flour mixture, ensuring each piece receives an even, delicate coating of herbs and spices.
3. Heat a blend of olive oil and butter in a expansive skillet, creating a golden landscape for the chicken. Carefully introduce the seasoned pieces, allowing them to develop a rich, caramelized exterior without disturbance.
4. After achieving a perfect golden hue, relocate the chicken to a temporary resting spot. In the same aromatic pan, introduce mushrooms, permitting them to caramelize without immediate movement.
5. Incorporate shallots into the mushroom landscape, allowing them to become translucent and release their delicate flavors. Deglaze the pan with Marsala wine, sherry, and balsamic vinegar, capturing all the concentrated essence from the pan’s surface.
6. Reunite the chicken with the mushroom medley, allowing the liquid to reduce and intensify. Gently fold in the prepared pasta, introducing reserved cooking liquid to create a luxurious, glossy coating.
7. Finish the dish with a generous cascade of grated Parmigiano cheese and freshly chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors.
8. Serve immediately, presenting a steaming plate adorned with additional cheese and herbaceous garnish, inviting diners to savor the rich, complex layers of the dish.

Notes

• Chicken thighs provide deeper flavor and tenderness compared to chicken breasts, creating a more succulent dining experience.
• Letting mushrooms brown undisturbed creates a rich caramelization that develops complex umami notes throughout the entire dish.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg