The Best Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta

 

Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta 🍝✨

Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta is a luxurious yet simple dish where tender chicken, savory mushrooms, and a silky Marsala cream sauce come together and coat your favorite pasta. It’s a restaurant-quality meal you can make in about 40 minutes — perfect for weeknights, date nights, and comforting dinners.

👉Prep: 10 minutes   •   ◾️Cook: 30 minutes   •   ✅️Total: 40 minutes   •   🔹️Calories: ~550 / serving

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👉 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ◾️✅️Rich & Flavorful: Garlic, shallots, and mushrooms build deep savory layers.
• ◾️✅️Quick & Simple: A gourmet-style dinner in under an hour.
• ◾️✅️Comforting: Cream and Parmesan hug every piece of pasta.
• ◾️✅️Alcohol-Free Option: Easily made with a non-alcoholic Marsala substitute.

👉 Ingredients & Their Roles

🔹 For the Pasta

• 1 lb pasta (shells or your favorite shape) ◾️Holds sauce — choose shells, rigatoni or fettuccine for best sauce capture.

🔹 For the Chicken and Sauce

• 1 lb chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces ◾️Primary protein — absorbs Marsala and cream flavors.
• 2 tbsp olive oil ◾️For searing — adds fruity richness and prevents sticking.
• 2 tbsp butter ◾️Creates a velvety mouthfeel and depth in the sauce.
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced ◾️Earthy umami — the signature Marsala partner.
• 2 shallots, finely chopped ◾️Delicate sweetness and aroma.
• 3 garlic cloves, minced ◾️Savory backbone and fragrance.
• 1 cup non-alcoholic Marsala substitute (red grape juice + splash of apple cider vinegar OR extra chicken broth) ◾️Adds the sweet-wine note without alcohol.
• 1 cup chicken broth ◾️Builds sauce body and balances cream.
• 1 cup heavy cream ◾️The rich, silky base that binds everything.
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese ◾️Adds umami, saltiness, and natural thickening.
• Salt & pepper, to taste ◾️Essential for balance — season in layers.

👉 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. ➡️Step 1 — Cook the Pasta:

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until al dente per package directions. Drain and set aside. Toss lightly with a splash of olive oil to prevent sticking.

2. ➡️Step 2 — Cook the Chicken:

   Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add seasoned chicken pieces and sauté until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.

3. ➡️Step 3 — Sauté Aromatics & Mushrooms:

   In the same skillet, add shallots and cook 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add mushrooms and sauté until browned and tender (~5 minutes).

4. ➡️Step 4 — Deglaze the Pan:

   Pour in the Marsala substitute, scraping up the browned bits. Simmer until reduced by half (~2–3 minutes).

5. ➡️Step 5 — Make the Creamy Sauce:

   Add chicken broth, bring to a gentle boil, then simmer 5 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan; simmer until the sauce thickens slightly (~3 minutes).

6. ➡️Step 6 — Combine & Serve:

   Return chicken to the skillet and coat with sauce. Add cooked pasta and toss until evenly covered. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve hot with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan.

👉 Pro Tips for Perfection

• ◾️✅️Don’t rush the mushrooms: Fully brown them for superior flavor.
• ◾️✅️Use real butter: It gives a silkier, more luxurious sauce.
• ◾️✅️Balance sweetness: If your Marsala substitute is too sweet, a splash more vinegar or lemon brightens it.
• ◾️✅️Season in layers: Salt the chicken, taste the sauce, then finish the final seasoning.
• ◾️✅️Freshly grated Parmesan: Grate fresh for a smoother melt and better flavor.

👉 Serving Suggestions

Crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette

Garlic bread or focaccia

Steamed asparagus or roasted broccoli

Sparkling water with lemon / non-alcoholic white wine

👉 Why Everyone Loves This Recipe

This Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta blends approachable cooking with elevated flavor. It’s elegant enough for guests, yet fast and forgiving for everyday cooking — juicy chicken, hearty mushrooms, and a creamy, slightly sweet sauce make it a universal crowd-pleaser.

👉 Final Thoughts

If you want easy, comforting, and impressive — this dish delivers. Try it tonight and enjoy the creamy, dreamy flavor that keeps people coming back for seconds.