Chicken Marsala Casserole

Ingredients:

• 3 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
• ½ pound Ziti, cooked al dente
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 16 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 1 small yellow onion, halved and sliced thin
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ cup dry marsala wine
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups chicken broth
• ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into small cubes
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Sauté Vegetables:
   • Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot.
   • Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown.
   • Add onions, salt, and pepper, cook until softened.
   • Add garlic and cook for a minute more.
3. Deglaze and Thicken:
   • Pour in marsala wine, simmer until reduced by half.
   • Add butter and flour, whisk until combined.
   • Gradually add chicken broth, whisking constantly.
   • Simmer until thickened.
4. Combine Ingredients:
   • Remove from heat and stir in ziti, chicken, mozzarella, parsley, and half the Parmesan.
5. Bake:
   • Transfer to a baking dish.
   • Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan.
   • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.

Tips:

• Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
• Cooked Chicken: You can use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
• Wine Choice: Marsala wine adds a rich, nutty flavor, but you can substitute with dry white wine or chicken broth.
• Cheese Choice: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses, such as fontina or provolone.
• Pasta Shape: Ziti is a great choice for this dish, but you can also use other pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve with a side salad or garlic bread.

Enjoy this hearty and flavorful Chicken Ziti!