This healthier version Olive Garden Chicken Marsala Copycat recipe has all the flavor of the original.
These deliciously light Chicken Marsala replaces the richness of the cream with a yogurt based sauce.
The acidity in the traditional recipe comes from Marsala wine–in this lightened up version we use apple cider vinegar to give us those acidic notes.
The result is a Copycat of Olive Garden’s Chicken Marsala that is way healthier. (If you follow the weight watchers program this version comes in at 6 points per serving).
The classic fettuccine from the original is replaced with whole wheat pasta and a bit of zucchini fettuccine to sneak in a few more vegetables into the recipe.
Give it a try next time you are having guests, they will leave impressed.
Ingredients:
- 320g fresh mushrooms, sliced (about 4 cups)
- 300g boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup plain yogurt (120 g)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 small zucchinis (430g)
- 50g uncooked whole wheat noodles
Servings: 2
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Instructions:
1. Start by marinating the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and apple cider vinegar. Allow them to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
2. Slice the mushrooms thinly.
3. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
4. In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes until they release their juices and start to brown. Return the chicken breasts to the pan.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the plain yogurt and cornstarch until well combined. Pour the yogurt mixture into the skillet with the remaining mushrooms. Stir well to coat the mushrooms. Cook for 5 more minutes and turn off.
6. Meanwhile, spiralize the zucchinis to create zucchini noodles. Set them aside.
7. Bring a pot of water to boil and cook the vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
8. Serve the Chicken Marsala over a bed of cooked vermicelli noodles and zucchini noodles.
Enjoy your homemade Olive Garden-inspired Chicken Marsala!
Tips and Tricks Section for Making Olive Garden Chicken Marsala
- When you cook with yogurt your sauce can break. To prevent this, let the yogurt come close to room temperature before putting it in the sauce. Don’t let the sauce boil, and add 1 tsp of cornstarch to the yogurt before cooking.
- Marinate the chicken breasts in advance to enhance their flavor and tenderness.
- Sear the chicken breasts on a hot skillet to achieve a golden crust and seal in the juices.
- Cook the mushrooms in the same skillet to absorb the delicious drippings from the chicken.
- Optionally, add a hint of garlic and shallots for extra flavor complexity.
- Serve the dish hot and immediately after cooking to savor the best taste and texture. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to add a vibrant and aromatic touch to the dish.
How to make zucchini pasta?
Making zucchini pasta, or zoodles, is a simple and healthy alternative to traditional pasta. To create zucchini noodles, you’ll need a spiralizer, a handy kitchen tool specifically designed for this purpose. Spiralizers come in various types and price ranges, but on average, you can find a good-quality spiralizer for around $15 to $30.
When preparing zucchini noodles, it’s essential to remove excess moisture to prevent a watery dish. Start by lightly salting the zoodles and letting them sit for about 10 minutes. This process helps draw out the water. Then, gently squeeze or pat the zoodles with a clean towel or paper towels to remove any remaining moisture.
For a delightful balance of flavors and textures, consider combining zucchini noodles with a small amount of regular pasta. This approach allows you to enjoy the satisfaction of eating pasta while incorporating more vegetables into your meal. It’s a great way to merge the pleasure of indulgence with the care for your well-being, offering the best of both worlds.
Variations and substitutions
- Protein Variations: Instead of chicken, try using beef or pork to give it a different twist.
- Mushroom Alternatives: In addition to mushrooms, you can experiment with different types of mushrooms such as shiitake or cremini to add variety of flavors and textures.
- Adding Vegetables: Incorporate more vegetables into your dish by adding spinach, bell peppers, or julienne carrots to increase nutritional content and flavor variety.
Related Recipes:
- Easy Peasy Healthy Shrimp Pasta
- Zesty corn pasta salad
- Chicken & broccoli pasta salad
- Chicken & broccoli alfredo pasta bake
Olive Garden Chicken Marsala
Ingredients
- 320 g fresh mushrooms, sliced (about 4 cups)
- 300 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ cup plain yogurt (120 g)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 small zucchinis (430g)
- 50 g uncooked vermicelli noodles
Instructions
- Start by marinating the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and apple cider vinegar. Allow them to marinate for at least 15 minutes.
- Slice the mushrooms thinly.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes until they release their juices and start to brown. Return the chicken breasts to the pan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the plain yogurt and cornstarch until well combined. Pour the yogurt mixture into the skillet with the remaining mushrooms. Stir well to coat the mushrooms. Cook for 5 more minutes and turn off.
- Meanwhile, spiralize the zucchinis to create zucchini noodles. Set them aside.
- Bring a pot of water to boil and cook the vermicelli noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Serve the Chicken Marsala over a bed of cooked vermicelli noodles and zucchini noodles.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.