Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta: A Comforting, Restaurant-Quality Dinner You Can Make at Home

If you love rich, creamy pasta dishes packed with savory flavor, this Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta is guaranteed to become one of your new favorites. Inspired by the classic Chicken Marsala you’d find in an Italian restaurant, this recipe transforms tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, garlic, and Marsala wine into a luxurious sauce—then tosses it with perfectly cooked pasta for the ultimate weeknight dinner.

It’s comforting, elegant, and surprisingly simple to prepare. Whether you’re cooking for family, hosting a dinner party, or craving a cozy bowl of pasta, this dish delivers a restaurant-quality experience with minimal effort.

In this full guide, you’ll learn everything: the best Marsala wine to use, how to cook the chicken so it stays juicy, pasta options, serving tips, variations, and a complete printable recipe.

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What Is Chicken Marsala?

Chicken Marsala is a beloved Italian-American dish made from pan-seared chicken cutlets simmered in a sauce of Marsala wine, mushrooms, butter, and cream. The wine gives the sauce its deep flavor, while the cream makes it velvety and rich.

This pasta version keeps all the traditional flavors but turns the dish into a satisfying, complete meal with tender noodles and plenty of sauce.

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Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta

✓ Rich and Restaurant-Quality

The Marsala sauce is silky, flavorful, and tastes like something from an upscale Italian restaurant.

✓ One-Pan Sauce, Easy to Make

Perfect for busy evenings—minimal prep but lots of flavor.

✓ Family-Friendly

Kids love creamy pasta, and adults appreciate the elevated flavor.

✓ Perfect for Entertaining

Looks elegant, tastes luxurious, and pairs easily with wine and bread.

✓ Comfort Food with a Gourmet Twist

Creamy, savory, satisfying, and memorable.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Pasta and Chicken:

• 12 oz pasta (fettuccine, penne, or rigatoni work best)
• 1 ½ lbs chicken breasts, thinly sliced or cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2–3 tablespoons olive oil

For the Marsala Cream Sauce:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (cremini or button)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup Marsala wine
  (Use dry Marsala for best flavor.)
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• Optional: red pepper flakes for a mild kick

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How to Make Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta

1. Cook the Pasta

Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. Drizzle lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.

2. Season and Cook the Chicken

Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6–8 minutes.
Remove to a plate and set aside.

3. Sauté the Mushrooms

In the same skillet, melt butter. Add mushrooms and cook until browned and softened, about 5 minutes.

4. Add the Garlic

Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. Deglaze with Marsala Wine

Pour in the Marsala wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly reduced.

6. Add Broth & Cream

Add chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 5–7 minutes.

7. Add Parmesan & Season

Stir in Parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Return the chicken to the skillet and let everything warm through.

8. Toss with Pasta

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and gently toss to coat in the creamy sauce.

9. Garnish & Serve

Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and optional red pepper flakes.

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Tips for Perfect Chicken Marsala Pasta

1. Use Dry Marsala (Not Sweet)

Dry Marsala gives the dish a deep, savory flavor. Sweet Marsala will make it overly sugary.

2. Don’t Rush the Simmer

Letting the wine and cream reduce properly creates a richer, thicker sauce.

3. Cook the Chicken Until Just Done

Thin slices cook quickly. Overcooking makes them tough.

4. Salt Gradually

Both Parmesan and broth contain salt. Season at the end to avoid oversalting.

5. Try Different Pasta Shapes

Short pastas like penne or rigatoni grab the sauce beautifully.

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Delicious Variations

1. Mushroom-Only Vegetarian Marsala Pasta

Skip the chicken and double the mushrooms.

2. Add Spinach

Stir in 3–4 cups of fresh spinach at the end until wilted.

3. Bacon Chicken Marsala Pasta

Add cooked bacon pieces for a smoky addition.

4. Lighter Version

Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and sauté the chicken in cooking spray.

5. Extra Creamy

Add 4 oz cream cheese to the sauce.

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What to Serve with Chicken Marsala Pasta

This dish is flavorful enough to stand on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with:

• Garlic bread or toasted baguette
• Caesar salad
• Roasted asparagus or broccoli
• A simple green salad
• A glass of dry white wine or Marsala wine

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How to Store and Reheat

Refrigerator:

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer:

Because of the cream, freezing is not recommended — the sauce may separate.

To Reheat:

Warm gently over low heat with a splash of broth or cream.
Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between bursts.

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Printable Recipe: Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta

Ingredients

• 12 oz pasta
• 1 ½ lbs chicken breast, sliced
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning
• Olive oil
• 3 tbsp butter
• 8 oz mushrooms
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 cup Marsala wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream
• ½ cup Parmesan
• Parsley

Instructions

1. Cook pasta; set aside.
2. Season chicken; cook until golden. Remove.
3. Sauté mushrooms in butter.
4. Add garlic, then Marsala wine; simmer.
5. Add broth and cream; thicken.
6. Stir in Parmesan; season to taste.
7. Return chicken and add pasta; toss to coat.
8. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

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Final Thoughts

Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta is the kind of meal that feels luxurious while still being easy enough for a weeknight. The rich Marsala wine sauce, tender chicken, and silky pasta come together to create comfort food at its finest. Whether you’re feeding your family or impressing guests, this recipe delivers every single time.

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