Description
Homemade chicken marsala casserole delivers pure comfort with Italian-inspired flavors melding perfectly. Creamy mushroom sauce and tender chicken create a delightful meal you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) chicken breasts, cubed
- 1 lb (454 grams) mushrooms, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (100 grams) parmesan cheese, grated
Liquids and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) Marsala wine
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Arrange the oven rack to the middle position and warm to 375°F, preparing a casserole dish with light cooking spray.
- Transform raw chicken into golden-brown morsels by searing in a hot skillet with olive oil, ensuring complete cooking. Transfer protein to a separate plate.
- Utilize the same skillet to caramelize aromatic onions, releasing their sweet essence, then introduce minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, cooking until tender and fragrant.
- Deglaze the pan with Marsala wine, allowing the liquid to dance and reduce, concentrating complex flavors. Add chicken broth and continue reducing by half.
- Create a luxurious sauce by incorporating heavy cream, stirring gently until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Reunite the seared chicken with the velvety sauce, seasoning generously with salt and cracked black pepper for depth of flavor.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared casserole dish, creating an even layer of savory goodness.
- Blanket the surface with a generous sprinkle of mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, ensuring complete coverage.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, baking until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let rest briefly. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finishing touch before serving.
Notes
- Choose chicken breasts with uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry spots.
- Pat chicken dry before cubing to help achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior when searing.
- If avoiding alcohol, replace Marsala wine with chicken broth and a splash of balsamic vinegar for depth of flavor.
- For a low-carb version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice.
- Add extra mushroom varieties like shiitake or porcini for a more complex, earthy mushroom profile.
- Prep ingredients beforehand to streamline the cooking process and reduce kitchen stress.
- Use a cast-iron skillet for better heat distribution and enhanced flavor development during sautéing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 486
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg