Description
This Chicken Marsala Orzo blends tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and creamy orzo pasta in a rich Marsala wine sauce. A one-skillet dinner that feels indulgent yet approachable, perfect for busy weeknights, date nights, or cozy family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- ¾ cup Marsala cooking wine
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Sear chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté veggies: In the same skillet, add onion and cook 2–3 minutes. Add mushrooms with a pinch of salt and cook 5 minutes until golden. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Toast orzo: Add orzo to the pan and toast for 1 minute. Pour in Marsala wine, scraping the pan, and simmer 2–3 minutes.
- Simmer pasta: Add chicken broth and thyme. Cover and simmer 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is nearly tender.
- Finish dish: Return chicken to skillet. Stir in heavy cream and cook 2–3 minutes uncovered, until sauce thickens and orzo is fully tender.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and Parmesan. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use cremini mushrooms for the best earthy flavor.
- Toast the orzo briefly before adding liquid for deeper taste.
- If avoiding wine, substitute with broth plus a splash of balsamic vinegar.
- Add spinach, kale, peas, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra nutrients and color.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently with broth or cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, One-Pot Meal
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 125mg