Chicken and Rice with Mushroom Marsala Casserole
1 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced fine
16 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup marsala wine (or white wine)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cups chicken stock or water
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon each black pepper, cayenne pepper, oregano, parsley and garlic powder
1 cup long-grain rice, uncooked
2 cups of cooked chicken breasts chopped in chunks
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese mixed with 2 tablespoons of Italian flavored bread crumbs or butter crushed cracker crumbs
Preheat the oven to 350°. In a large skillet, heat the butter and oil over medium-high heat until just melted. Add the garlic and mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 - 7 minutes. Add the seasonings with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the flour on top and stir in for 1 minute. Stir in the Marsala and cream, heat on low, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Stir in 2 cups of stock with tomato paste. In a greased deep dish casserole, add rice in the bottom, top with the chicken. Pour the mushroom gravy on top. Cover tightly with foil and bake until bubbly, about 35 minutes. Add Parmesan and bread crumbs mixed together on top bake 5 more minutes.
