Description
Hearty chicken marsala casserole brings Italian comfort straight to kitchen tables with layered flavors and creamy textures. Mushroom-rich sauce and tender chicken create a delightful meal you’ll savor down to the last comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (453 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (57 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 cup Marsala wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Vegetables and Pasta:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms (sliced)
- 1 small onion (chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 cups cooked pasta (penne or rigatoni)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) for optimal cooking environment.
- Sear chicken in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat until golden and thoroughly cooked, then remove and set aside.
- Using the same skillet, sauté onions, minced garlic, and sliced mushrooms until they become tender and release their aromatic flavors.
- Pour Marsala wine and chicken broth into the skillet, allowing the liquid to gently simmer and concentrate for approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate heavy cream into the sauce, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens and develops a rich, velvety consistency.
- Blend the prepared chicken, sauce, and pasta in a spacious mixing bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Carefully transfer the combined mixture into a lightly greased casserole dish, ensuring even distribution.
- Generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the top of the casserole, creating a tempting melted cheese layer.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling surface.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes, enabling the flavors to settle and the dish to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Boost flavor by marinating chicken in Marsala wine and herbs for 30 minutes before cooking for deeper, more complex taste profiles.
- Select wide, flat pasta like pappardelle or fettuccine to help sauce cling better and create a more luxurious texture.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta options, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Enhance nutritional value by adding spinach or roasted bell peppers during the sautéing stage, introducing extra vegetables and vibrant colors to the casserole.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg