Description
Mediterranean chicken pasta combines succulent chicken with aromatic herbs and fresh vegetables in a creamy sauce. Pasta enthusiasts can savor this comforting dish that brings Mediterranean flavors directly to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5–3 lbs (1.1–1.4 kg) chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
- 1 lb (454 g) pappardelle or other long, flat pasta
- 2 pints white button mushrooms, stems removed, caps thinly sliced
- ¾ cup dry marsala cooking wine
- 4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsps kosher salt
- ¼ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
- ¼ cup sherry vinegar
- 2 tbsps balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Boil a generously salted water pot, cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve a cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining, ensuring perfect pasta texture.
- Chicken Seasoning: Slice chicken thighs into uniform bite-sized pieces. Create a flavorful dredging mixture combining flour, dried herbs, salt, and ground pepper. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces in the aromatic seasoning blend.
- Chicken Searing: Heat a skillet with olive oil and butter, creating a golden-brown sear on chicken pieces. Cook without frequent stirring, allowing each piece to develop a rich, caramelized exterior. Rotate to ensure even cooking and complete doneness.
- Vegetable Infusion: In the same skillet, caramelize mushrooms to develop deep, complex flavors. Add finely chopped shallots, cooking until translucent and releasing their aromatic essence.
- Sauce Development: Deglaze the pan with Marsala wine and complementary vinegars, scraping up the flavorful fond from the skillet’s bottom. Return chicken to the pan, allowing the sauce to reduce and intensify its flavor profile.
- Final Assembly: Combine pasta with the robust sauce, incorporating reserved cooking liquid to create a silky, luxurious coating. Generously sprinkle freshly grated Parmigiano and chopped parsley, ensuring every pasta strand is thoroughly dressed.
- Serving: Perform a final taste test, adjusting seasonings as needed. Plate immediately, garnishing with additional cheese and fresh parsley for an elegant and appetizing presentation.
Notes
- Maximize Flavor Layering: Season each ingredient thoroughly and build depth by using the same skillet for multiple components, capturing rich caramelized remnants.
- Achieve Perfect Chicken Texture: Avoid overcrowding the pan to ensure golden-brown exterior and prevent steaming, which reduces crispy potential.
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve starchy cooking liquid as a secret weapon for creating silky, clingy sauce that perfectly embraces pasta strands.
- Balance Wine Deglazing: Use Marsala and vinegar carefully to intensify flavors without overwhelming the delicate chicken and mushroom profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg