Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta

A delightful blend of tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and creamy Marsala sauce tossed with pasta for a comforting and elegant dish.

Ingredients:

For the Pasta:

1 lb pasta (shells or your favorite shape)

For the Chicken and Sauce:

1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

8 oz mushrooms, sliced

2 shallots, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup non-alcoholic Marsala substitute (red grape juice with a splash of apple cider vinegar or use more chicken broth)

1 cup chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1 Cook the Pasta:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.

2 Cook the Chicken:

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes, until golden brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.

3 Sauté Aromatics and Mushrooms:

In the same skillet, add the shallots and cook for 2 minutes until softened.

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Add the mushrooms and sauté until browned and tender, about 5 minutes.

4 Deglaze the Pan:

Pour in the Marsala substitute (or wine alternative) and scrape the bottom of the skillet to loosen any browned bits.

Simmer until the liquid reduces by half, about 2-3 minutes.

5 Make the Sauce:

Add chicken broth and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, cooking until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.

6 Combine and Serve:

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it in the sauce. Add the drained pasta and stir until everything is evenly coated.

Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese or fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Calories per Serving: ~550 | Protein: ~35g