Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta

Welcome to winter.  It's no longer the "holiday season" it is just winter.  Although it is going to be a balmy 17 degrees today in Minnesota it has been like 1 degree.  ONE DEGREE.  

What do you want to eat when it is one degree?  Well, I will tell you…pasta.  I whipped up this pasta dish a few weeks ago and kind of forgot about it until I was scrolling through my photos.  Then wondered how I could forget such an easy and tasty dish….mushrooms included.  If you really know me, you will know that I used to hate mushrooms.  Who would want to eat something so spongey and worthless?  Well, I will tell you, ME!  Soak them in a delicious sauce and I am SOLD.  Let's get to it.   

Oh and pardon the pictures, it is winter need I remind you?  That means I get home and it's dark.  Since I work for a living, outside of the home, I don't have the luxury of daylight.  Is it spring yet?

Start with melting some butter in a large sauce pan.

Season a few chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

Place them in the pan.  Cook the chicken until they are browned on both sides and no longer pink in the middle.  About 4-5 minutes on each side. 

Meanwhile finely dice an onion

And mince some garlic.

Remove the chicken from the pan and let it rest for a bit.

Add the onions to the pan and sauté for a few minutes or until they start become a little translucent.

Then add the mushrooms (that you cleaned and chopped, yeah forgot to take that picture) and garlic

Saute for about a minute or so being careful to not burn the garlic 

Add chicken stock

Marsala wine

Rosemary

And half and half.  Let this reduce for about 8 minutes simmering gently...

While the sauce reduces, slice up the chicken

Simmering….

Grate a bunch of parmesan cheese….

And add it to the sauce.  It will thicken it up a bit

Then add the chicken as well...

Pour in the cooked pasta and toss to coat everything in sauce.

That's it!  Just top with a little additional cheese and dried parsley

Winter pasta, what January dreams are made of.

Chicken Marsala Pasta

1 1/2 tablespoons butter
2 large or three small chicken breasts
Salt and Pepper for seasoning
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
7 button mushrooms, chopped
14.5 ounces chicken broth
1 cup Marsala wine
3/4 lb Penne Pasta (or pasta of your choice, cooked)
1 1/2 cups Half and Half
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese + additional for sprinkling
Dried parsley (optional for garnish)

Start by adding the butter to a large skillet on medium to medium high heat.  Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.  Add the chicken to the skillet and cook on each side for about 4-5 minutes or until browned on both sides and no longer pink in the middle.  Once fully cooked, remove from the pan and place on a plate to rest.

Add the onion to the skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes on medium high heat or until they just start to become translucent.  Then add the mushrooms and garlic and sauté for another minute or so.  Be careful to not burn the garlic.

After a minute, add the chicken stock, marsala wine and half and half and rosemary.  Let simmer of about 8 minutes to reduce.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta and slice the chicken.  Once the sauce is reduced, add the parmesan cheese, chicken and cooked pasta.  Toss to coat everything in sauce.  Pour into a large bowl and garnish with additional parmesan cheese and dried parsley.

Enjoy!

Recipe by: Mrs. Schwartz