Marsala Chicken Orzo Recipe
This Marsala Chicken Orzo recipe is a delicious and comforting one-pot meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich Marsala wine sauce with mushrooms, served over creamy orzo pasta. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion, this dish combines savory flavors with a touch of elegance.
- Author: Isabella
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Salt
Chicken and Sauce
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 cup Marsala wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried thyme. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Sauté the Mushrooms and Garlic: In the same skillet, add butter. Once melted, sauté the sliced mushrooms and minced garlic until mushrooms are soft and browned, about 5 minutes.
- Deglaze with Marsala Wine: Pour in the Marsala wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Cook until the wine reduces by half, around 3-4 minutes.
- Add Chicken Broth and Simmer: Stir in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Cook the Orzo: Add the orzo pasta to the skillet, cover, and cook on low heat until the orzo is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid, about 10-12 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and return the chicken breasts to the pan. Simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the chicken to warm through.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish before serving for a burst of color and freshness.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk.
- You can use white wine instead of Marsala if unavailable, though the flavor will differ slightly.
- If preferred, cut chicken breasts into smaller pieces for quicker cooking and easier serving.
- Fresh thyme can be used instead of dried, adjust quantity accordingly.
- Ensure to keep an eye on the orzo as it cooks to avoid overcooking or sticking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: Marsala chicken, orzo pasta, chicken recipe, Italian dinner, creamy chicken, mushroom sauce