Chicken Marsala Orzo Recipe
This Chicken Marsala Orzo is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal combining tender shredded chicken, sautéed mushrooms, and creamy marsala wine sauce with tender orzo pasta. It’s a quick and easy stovetop recipe ideal for a satisfying dinner that brings together savory, creamy, and slightly sweet flavors.
- Author: Ruby
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
For the Sauce and Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup marsala wine
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
For the Pasta and Chicken
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 cups cooked/rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional, to taste)
- Heat oil and butter: Add olive oil and butter to a soup pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Allow the butter to melt completely.
- Sauté mushrooms and onions: Add the sliced mushrooms and chopped onions to the pot. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have released their moisture and the liquid evaporates, and the mushrooms and onions are nicely seared and golden.
- Add garlic, mustard, and marsala: Stir in the minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and Marsala wine. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the Marsala has reduced by half, intensifying the flavors.
- Add broth, cream, and orzo: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, then add the uncooked orzo pasta. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium or medium-low. Simmer uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring fairly often to prevent sticking. The liquid should bubble gently and the orzo will cook and absorb the sauce.
- Finish with chicken and parmesan: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Remove the pot from heat and cover it. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the chicken warms through and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Season and serve: Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if using. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your creamy Chicken Marsala Orzo.
Notes
- Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang and depth to the sauce; do not skip if possible.
- Marsala wine is a key ingredient for the authentic flavor; you can substitute with dry sherry if needed.
- Using rotisserie chicken speeds up preparation, but leftover cooked chicken works well too.
- Keep stirring the orzo during cooking to avoid sticking and ensure even cooking.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, but the sauce will be less rich.
Keywords: Chicken Marsala, Orzo Pasta, Creamy Chicken, One Pot Meal, Italian Chicken, Comfort Food