Chicken marsala is a simple dish that tastes like restaurant quality. If you are planning to prepare it at home, here are 25 recipes to make it feel like a feast.
Chicken marsala is an incredibly popular Italian-American dish. It’s seared chicken smothered in a flavor-packed creamy sauce made with mushrooms and marsala wine.
The best part about chicken marsala is how surprisingly easy it is to make at home in just one large skillet. It’s one of those dishes that makes you feel fancy, but in reality it only takes about 30 minutes to pull it all together. Top it with fresh parsley, parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese and it’s even better!
The ease of this classic dish makes it a great choice for feeding a crowd at a dinner party or even for a cozy night in. If you are on the hunt for the best side dishes to go with this main course, here are a few ideas.
FAQs
Marsala is a dry or sweet fortified wine made in Sicily. Fortified means it has a spirit, brandy, added to it.
The brandy makes the wine a popular choice for cooking, as it adds a nutty flavor to a savory sauce.
Marsala on its own tastes sweet like brown sugar, vanilla and tamarind.
Most recipes call for dry marsala wine. Sweet marsala is usually used for desserts (like Homemade Tiramisu) but I actually prefer the flavor of the sweet marsala wine in chicken marsala. Use whatever you have on hand!
This classic Italian dish is made with floured chicken and the flour on the chicken should be enough to thicken your sauce. If you would still like it thicker, add some cornstarch.
Whisk a small amount of cornstarch into some water to create a slurry. Make sure there are no chunks before you add it into your sauce, otherwise your cornstarch will clump and leave small white spots in your sauce.
Be patient with your marsala wine sauce. It will thicken as it heats so allow it to cook for a few minutes before adding any more.
There are several substitutes for Marsala wine. The most popular substitute is Madeira wine but you could also try dark or dry sherry, port, white wine with brandy, grape juice with brandy or even white grape juice and vinegar. Balsamic vinegar is also a good choice.
You could also just use chicken broth or chicken stock but the flavor will not be anywhere near true chicken marsala.
Yes, chicken marsala keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge. If you use a recipe without cream it can even be frozen and thawed later.
Favorite Recipes
- I love to use the Instant Pot to make perfect chicken marsala every time
- To make this recipe even easier you can make it in your slow cooker with this recipe from Diethood.
- If you are looking for something gluten free, try this recipe from The Roasted Root.
Expert Tips
- You can use chicken breasts or thighs. I prefer thighs for a juicier chicken, but breasts work well.
- If you decide to use chicken breasts, I recommend buying pieces that are not pre cut into thin slices. Cut a thicker breast in half and then pound it to reach ¼ inch thickness. The pounding helps to tenderize the chicken.
- Many chicken marsala recipes call for adding heavy cream to the sauce. This is not the traditional way to make chicken marsala, but it does make the sauce deliciously creamy and decadent and also helps balance out the strong flavor of the wine. It does not freeze well with the added dairy.
- You can add any vegetables you want into this dish. Asparagus, sauteed spinach, red onion or green beans are all a perfect match.
- Save prep time by using sliced mushrooms. They are usually cut to the thickness you need for this recipe and cook up much better than whole or diced mushrooms.
What to Serve With
Serve Chicken Marsala on Top Of: linguine, fettuccine, egg noodles, mashed potatoes, couscous, tagliatelle, parmesan risotto, almond noodles, white rice, brown rice, creamy polenta, zucchini noodles,
Sides: green salad, garlic bread, roasted asparagus, sweet potatoes, green beans, caprese salad, broccoli salad, French bread, mushroom risotto, roasted broccolini
Recipes to Serve with Chicken Marsala
Green Bean Salad
Green bean salad (from Christina’s Cucina) made with this easy Italian recipe will be a hit whenever you serve it. Perfect for barbecues, picnics, as well as lunch or dinner buffets, even a side for Thanksgiving, or any other holiday meal!
Mashed Potatoes in the Instant Pot
Couscous
Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes
Arugula and Prosciutto Salad
This delicious prosciutto salad (from foodworthfeed) is a quick and easy, recipe! This salad features arugula, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts and crispy sourdough croutons. We serve this yummy salad with our homemade fig and balsamic vinaigrette.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Asparagus
This simple Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Asparagus recipe (from Two Cloves Kitchen) is a healthy, delicious side dish that’s full of lightly sweet, deeply browned flavor, with crispy and tender textures. Finished with a rich drizzle of olive oil, these savory roasted veggies are a perfect pairing for just about everything!
Sauteed Leeks and Peas
Leeks are one of my favourite veg, and this recipe for sautéed leeks and peas (from Cinnamon & Kale) is one of the nicest ways to enjoy them. Both vegetables are naturally quite sweet, and complement each other really well. And it’s a great way to sneak 2 veggies onto your plate!
Instant Pot White Rice
Dinner Rolls from Scratch
Homemade bread is always better and these Easy Dinner Rolls From Scratch (from Served from Scratch) are so simple to make that you’ll never want to go back to store-bought again!
Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts
Lemon Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts (from A Cedar Spoon) is a quick and easy salad that is peppery, sweet and satisfying. Arugula is tossed with cherry tomatoes, toasted pine nuts and parmesan cheese and finished off with a lemony, olive oil dressing.
Roasted Zucchini Slices
Our roasted zucchini (from Peel from Zeal) is a great addition to any meal. Baked in the oven, this recipe is versatile and easy. For a stand-alone side dish top with dairy-free basil pesto or drizzle with a garlic butter sauce, use it in your favorite lunch bowl, or as part of a roasted veggie sandwich. Roasted zucchini slices can be served warm or at room temperature.
Tenderstem Broccoli with Garlic and Lemon
A healthy and easy tenderstem broccoli side dish (from Somebody Feed Seb) is all you need to elevate your meal to another level! Gently boiled, and then pan-fried broccolini is the best quick way to cook this wonderful vegetable! A versatile recipe that goes with a range of meat, poultry and fish dishes, this is our go-to side dish when we’re looking for a flavoursome and nutritious sidekick that is ready in 10 minutes! Tenderstem Broccoli with Garlic and Lemon (and just a pinch of chilli flakes) may just become your favourite side this year!
Homemade Baguette
This quick and easy homemade french baguette recipe (from Simply Scrumptious) is simple to make and the hands on time is fast! It’s beautiful and delicious, crusty on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. Try a baguette with cheese or butter or used as sandwich bread. I love to make this and take it to potlucks, or have it as an appetizer when people are coming to dinner.
Pastina
Pastina (from Longbourn Farm) is an old family classic that will become a favorite in your household too! It’s an Italian classic comfort food that makes a perfect side dish, lunch for the kiddos, or even a lighter full meal!
Mushroom Cauliflower Risotto
See how to make cauliflower mushroom risotto (from Wholesome Yum) in just 25 minutes – you’ll love this creamy keto cauliflower risotto recipe! Cauliflower rice risotto has the same flavors as regular risotto, but is much faster and easier to make.
Caprese Bread
Caprese bread (from I Heart Naptime) is a delicious shareable appetizer or snack made with toasty bread, herb and garlic butter, fresh tomatoes, and cheese and baked until melted and delicious!
Spinach Berry Salad
This spinach berry salad (from I Heart Naptime) is a refreshing salad made with spinach, mixed berries, almonds and a red wine poppyseed vinaigrette. Delicious, healthy and easy to make!
Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
These cheesy scalloped potatoes (from I Heart Naptime) are a classic and staple at any holiday dinner. They are creamy, cheesy and absolutely delicious! Your guests will go crazy over this recipe!
Mushroom Risotto
This always rich and warming Mushroom Risotto (from Platings and Pairings) is the perfect meal for fall. Umami-packed mushrooms, creamy and tender rice, and nutty parmesan come together to form dreamy and heavenly flavors in every bite. This is the BEST mushroom risotto recipe that comes together quick + easy.
One Hour Focaccia Bread
This One Hour Focaccia Bread (from Chef Savvy) is one of our favorite recipes! Made with fresh herbs, tons of garlic and parmesan cheese! This no-knead focaccia bread recipe comes out soft and fluffy on the inside and golden and crisp on the outside. You will never buy store bought focaccia again!
Lemon Ricotta Pasta
Creamy Broccoli Pasta
This garlicky, lemony, creamy broccoli pasta (from Hurry the Food Up) is the perfect quick & healthy pasta dish for busy weekdays that will please the whole family. Get ready to meet your new go-to easy pasta recipe!
Proper Roast Potatoes
Follow this method and you’ll be cooking amazing roast potatoes (from Hurry the Food Up) the first time, and every time after. They’ll be fluffy and light in the middle, crispy and crunchy on the outside. Nom nom.
Asparagus Risotto
A quick and simple risotto recipe (from Hurry the Food Up) is a great weeknight dinner and our creamy asparagus risotto is just the ticket! It’s ready in just 25 minutes and is full of the delicious flavors of fresh asparagus, herbs and cheese, in a creamy vegetable broth based sauce.
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