Description
Hearty chicken marsala casserole melds classic Italian flavors with comforting American casserole style. Savory mushrooms, tender chicken, and rich wine sauce create a delicious one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (475 ml) cooked chicken (coarsely chopped, about 1½ cups shredded)
- 16 oz (450 g) mushrooms (sliced)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 5 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup (120 ml) Marsala wine (or white wine)
- ½ cup (120 ml) fat-free half & half
- 2 cups (475 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 g) uncooked brown rice
- 2 tbsps butter
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 ½ tbsps flour
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup (15 g) fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- 2 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a spacious baking dish to facilitate easy serving and cleanup.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, combine butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Caramelize onions and mushrooms until softened, introducing minced garlic and seasoning with salt and pepper. Dust with flour to create a thickening foundation for the sauce.
- Build Sauce: Deglaze the skillet with Marsala wine, allowing the liquid to reduce and intensify flavors. Incorporate half & half and chicken broth, whisking continuously to develop a smooth, velvety sauce that clings beautifully to ingredients.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread uncooked brown rice evenly across the baking dish’s base. Arrange cooked chicken pieces uniformly over the rice, then pour the luxurious mushroom sauce, ensuring complete and thorough coverage of all components.
- Initial Baking: Tightly cover the casserole with aluminum foil to create a steamy cooking environment. Bake for 45-50 minutes, periodically checking rice tenderness and liquid absorption.
- Finalize Cooking: If rice requires additional cooking, elevate oven temperature to 400°F and continue baking until grains are perfectly tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
- Cheese Topping: Uncover the casserole and generously sprinkle Parmesan cheese across the surface. Return to the oven for 5-7 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and develop a golden, crispy crust.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let the casserole rest briefly to allow flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve this comforting one-dish meal immediately.
Notes
- Choose the Right Marsala: Select a dry Marsala wine for authentic flavor depth, avoiding overly sweet varieties that can disrupt the savory balance.
- Rice Absorption Technique: Watch rice carefully during baking; different brands and types absorb liquid differently, so adjust cooking time and liquid as needed.
- Cheese Melting Strategy: Grate fresh Parmesan for superior melting and richer taste compared to pre-packaged alternatives.
- Moisture Management: Cover casserole tightly with foil to trap steam, ensuring rice cooks evenly and chicken remains incredibly tender without drying out.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg