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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- 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.
- Chicken Transformation: Dice chicken thighs and enrobe them in a seasoned flour blend, ensuring an even, aromatic coating of herbs and spices.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Final Flourish: Cascade grated Parmigiano cheese and freshly chopped parsley over the dish. Taste and calibrate seasoning, ensuring a harmonious flavor balance.
- 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