Hearty Chicken Marsala Pasta Recipe for Cozy Nights In

Dive into a world of rich, savory flavors with this irresistible chicken marsala pasta that melts hearts with every bite.

Tender chicken simmers in a luscious marsala wine sauce, creating a symphony of taste that dances across your palate.

Mushrooms add an earthy depth, complementing the golden-brown chicken perfectly.

The pasta catches every drop of the velvety sauce, ensuring maximum deliciousness in each forkful.

Weeknight dinners just got an upgrade with this restaurant-quality dish you can easily make at home.

Comfort and elegance merge seamlessly in this crowd-pleasing meal that promises to satisfy even the most discerning food lovers.

Get ready to impress and indulge in a culinary experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 600 kcal

Servings: 5

Cozy Chicken Marsala Pasta Ingredients

• Pappardelle or Other Long Flat Pasta: Wide, ribbon-like noodles that beautifully capture rich sauces and provide a luxurious texture.
• Chicken Thighs: Succulent, tender meat with deeper flavor compared to chicken breasts, perfect for absorbing delicious Marsala sauce.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a golden, crispy coating that helps seal in chicken's moisture and provides beautiful browning.
• Dried Oregano: Adds earthy, Mediterranean herb essence that complements the chicken's richness.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances overall seasoning and helps develop deep flavor profiles in the dish.
• Black Pepper: Provides subtle heat and complexity to the chicken's coating.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Provides a smooth, fruity base for sautéing and adds rich Mediterranean flavor.
• Unsalted Butter: Creates silky texture and adds luxurious depth to the sauce.
• White Button Mushrooms: Tender, mild fungi that absorb surrounding flavors and provide meaty texture.

• Shallots: Delicate, sweet onion variety that adds subtle, sophisticated aromatic base.
• Dry Marsala Cooking Wine: Delivers rich, sweet-savory flavor profile with caramel undertones.
• Sherry Vinegar: Introduces bright, complex tanginess that balances the sauce's richness.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Provides deep, sweet-tart complexity and beautiful glossy finish.

Equipment for Creamy Pasta Night

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta and creating a well-seasoned cooking base.
• Large Skillet or Braiser: Perfect for browning chicken, sautéing mushrooms, and creating the rich Marsala sauce.
• Large Bowl: Needed for dredging chicken with flour and spices.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the skillet.
• Grater: Used for freshly grating Parmigiano cheese over the final dish.
• Sharp Knife: Required for cutting chicken thighs into even pieces.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Plate: Useful for holding browned chicken and transferring between cooking stages.

Cooking This Comfort Dish at Home

• Pasta Preparation

Boil water in a large pot, creating a salty bath for the pasta. Cook until it reaches that perfect tender-yet-firm texture, saving a splash of the cooking water for later magic.

• Chicken Seasoning

Transform chicken pieces into flavor-packed morsels by coating them in a delightful blend of flour and herbs. Each piece should be dressed to impress.

• Golden Sizzle

Heat up a skillet and let the chicken dance until it turns a gorgeous golden brown. Each piece should be crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.

• Mushroom Symphony

Introduce earthy mushrooms to the hot pan, letting them caramelize and develop deep, rich flavors. Invite shallots to join the flavor party.

• Wine Whispers

Pour in Marsala wine, letting it mingle with the pan’s delicious browned bits. Let the liquid reduce and create a luxurious sauce that hugs every ingredient.

• Pasta Reunion

Bring the cooked pasta into the skillet, tossing everything together with a sprinkle of cheese and fresh herbs. The reserved pasta water helps create a silky, dreamy coating.

• Plate and Celebrate

Serve immediately, crowned with extra cheese and a flourish of fresh herbs. Each bite promises a journey of comfort and deliciousness.

Tips to Balance Wine, Cream & Mushrooms

• Chicken Marsala Pasta Cooking Tips & Variations
• Protein Power-Up: Swap chicken thighs with boneless chicken breasts or tender beef strips for a quick protein variation that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
• Veggie Boost: Incorporate additional vegetables like roasted bell peppers, spinach, or zucchini to increase nutritional value and create a more colorful, nutrient-dense meal.
• Wine Wonder: For a non-alcoholic version, replace Marsala wine with chicken broth mixed with a splash of balsamic vinegar to maintain the rich, deep flavor profile without alcohol.
• Creamy Dream: Transform the dish into a creamier version by stirring in a few tablespoons of heavy cream or mascarpone cheese during the final combining stage, creating a luxurious, silky texture.
• Spice Sensation: Elevate the flavor complexity by adding red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or a dash of dried thyme to introduce subtle warmth and depth to the pasta's overall taste experience.

Serving This Pasta for a Warm Meal

• Elegant Dinner Party Delight: Impress guests by plating this Chicken Marsala Pasta on large white plates with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a restaurant-quality presentation.
• Wine Pairing Paradise: Complement the rich Marsala sauce with a glass of medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir or a crisp Chardonnay to enhance the meal's complex flavors.
• Hearty Side Kick: Serve alongside a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables to balance the pasta's richness and add nutritional variety.
• Leftover Love: Store remaining pasta in an airtight container for a delicious next-day lunch, gently reheating with a splash of extra pasta water to maintain the sauce's creamy consistency.

Fridge Plan for Any Extra Portions

• Smart Batch Cooking: Whip up a double batch and stash extra portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight dinners. Separate servings cool faster and maintain optimal flavor integrity.
• Refrigerator Refresh Strategy: Safely store leftovers in sealed containers for 3-4 days. Keep pasta and sauce separate when possible to prevent soggy texture and maintain crisp chicken quality.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Freeze unassembled components like cooked chicken and sauce in flat, labeled freezer bags. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat gently with fresh pasta for a restaurant-quality revival.
• Lunch Prep Champion: Pack individual portions in leak-proof containers for delicious work or school meals. Pack sauce and pasta separately to keep ingredients fresh and prevent sogginess during transport.

Hearty Chicken Marsala Pasta Recipe

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4.9 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty chicken marsala pasta combines Italian-American comfort with rich mushroom sauce and tender chicken. Creamy, herb-infused noodles promise a satisfying meal you’ll savor with each delightful forkful.

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Ingredients

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• 2.5–3 lbs (1.13–1.36 kg) chicken thighs, boneless, skinless (about 6 thighs; or substitute chicken breasts)
• 1 lb (453.6 g) pappardelle or other long, flat pasta
• 4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter, divided
• 2 pints (567 g) white button mushrooms, stems removed, caps thinly sliced
• 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
• ¾ cup dry Marsala cooking wine
• ¼ cup sherry vinegar
• 2 tbsps balsamic vinegar
• ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1.5 tsps kosher salt (plus more for cooking pasta)
• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup (25 g) Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, finely chopped (plus more for serving)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring a generously salted water bath to a rolling boil, submerge pasta until al dente, and reserve a cup of starchy liquid before draining.
2. Chicken Transformation: Dice chicken thighs and enrobe them in a seasoned flour blend, ensuring an even, aromatic coating of herbs and spices.
3. Searing Symphony: Meld olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet, creating a golden stage for the chicken. Carefully place seasoned pieces, allowing them to develop a rich, caramelized crust without disruption.
4. Mushroom Magic: After extracting the golden chicken, introduce mushrooms to the same aromatic pan, permitting them to caramelize without immediate stirring. Add shallots until they become translucent and release their delicate essence.
5. Flavor Intensification: Deglaze the pan with Marsala wine, sherry, and balsamic vinegar, capturing the concentrated pan essence. Reunite chicken with the mushroom landscape, allowing the liquid to reduce and concentrate flavors.
6. Culinary Fusion: Gently fold prepared pasta into the chicken-mushroom medley, introducing reserved cooking liquid to create a luxurious, glossy coating. Incorporate the entire flavor profile with precision.
7. Final Flourish: Cascade grated Parmigiano cheese and freshly chopped parsley over the dish. Taste and calibrate seasoning, ensuring a harmonious flavor balance.
8. Presentation: Serve immediately on warmed plates, garnishing with additional cheese and herbaceous accents, inviting diners to explore the dish’s complex layers.

Notes

• Pasta Water Preservation: Save a cup of starchy pasta water before draining, as it helps create a silky, cohesive sauce that clings perfectly to ingredients.
• Flour Coating Technique: Ensure each chicken piece is evenly and lightly coated with seasoned flour for maximum flavor and a crispy golden exterior.
• Pan Caramelization Secret: Allow chicken and mushrooms to develop deep golden color without excessive stirring, which creates rich, complex flavor profiles.
• Deglazing Magic: Use Marsala wine and balsamic vinegar to capture concentrated pan flavors, transforming simple ingredients into a gourmet experience.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 120mg