Description
Marsala chicken orzo is a comforting, one-pan meal that combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, creamy Marsala wine sauce, and perfectly cooked orzo pasta. This hearty dish is easy enough for weeknights and impressive enough for entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups orzo pasta
- 1 cup Marsala wine (not cooking wine)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Enhancements:
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (for heat)
- Fresh spinach or kale
- Alternative cheeses (Gruyere, Asiago, goat cheese)
- Gluten-free orzo (for GF option)
- Plant-based butter (for dairy-free)
Instructions
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden on both sides; remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté mushrooms and garlic until soft and fragrant.
- Pour in Marsala wine, scraping the pan to deglaze. Simmer until reduced by half.
- Add chicken broth and orzo. Return chicken to the skillet.
- Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes until orzo is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Remove from heat. Stir in butter and Parmesan until melted and creamy.
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Use real Marsala wine for authentic flavor.
- Let chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy.
- For gluten-free: use certified gluten-free orzo.
- Add spinach or peppers to boost nutrition.
- For a spicy version, add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
- Make it ahead: refrigerate fully cooked dish up to 24 hours before reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Main Course
- Method: One-Pot / Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 95mg