What Goes With Chicken Marsala?
Chicken Marsala is a classic dish that is loved around the world. Just picture tender chicken in a delicious marsala sauce, topped with toasted sesame seeds, what’s not to like about it? It’s a family favorite and a great main dish to serve on a busy night.
But what should you serve with chicken marsala? Today I’ll be sharing a few facts and questions about this creamy dish and sharing the best sides dishes for Chicken Marsala.
Whether it’s rice cooked in your instant pot, a buttery dish of sauteed spinach, or a healthy serving of mashed potatoes, there is sure to be a side for you to enjoy!
Contents
What Is Chicken Marsala?
Chicken Marsala is a dish that originated in the United States and has an Italian influence. It’s a quick and easy dish to make, which is why it’s so popular.
The sauce is made with Marsala wine, which is a fortified wine from Sicily. The sauce also has mushrooms, butter, garlic, chicken broth, or chicken stock.
What Does Chicken Marsala Taste Like?
Eating chicken marsala is a great experience. The chicken is usually tender, and the sauce is creamy with a slightly sweet flavor.
The mushrooms add a delicious earthy flavor, and the garlic gives it a slight kick. Overall, it’s a flavorful dish that is sure to please any appetite.
If you want a quick and easy creamy chicken marsala then here is our very own Chicken Marsala Instant Pot Recipe.
Masala vs Marsala
What’s The Difference? When it comes to Marsala and Masala, there is a big difference. Marsala is a wine that is made in Sicily, while Masala is a blend of spices that originates from India.
So, when you order Chicken Marsala, you’re getting a dish that contains Marsala Wine. If you order Chicken Masala, you’re getting a dish that contains the spice blend Masala.
Why Should Marsala Be Served With Other Foods?
Chicken Marsala is a rich and creamy dish, so it’s important to balance it out with other flavors.
You don’t want a side that is going to compete with the chicken marsala, but you also don’t want something bland. The key is to find a side that will complement the chicken marsala and round out the meal.
Now that we know a little bit more about Chicken Marsala, let’s talk about what sides dishes go
What To Serve With Chicken Marsala
I’ll begin by sharing a few carbohydrate options.
Chicken Marsala With Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic side dish that goes with just about anything.
Mashed Potatoes are creamy and delicious, and they’ll help to soak up all of that delicious sauce.
Plus, they’re easy to make and can be made ahead of time.
If you want to lighten up this dish, you can use Purple Mashed Cauliflower in place of the Potatoes.
Check out our Instant Pot Garlic Mashed Potatoes recipe here. It’s a great side dish and can be made in under 20 minutes!
Chicken Marsala With Rice
If you’re looking for a simple side dish, plain rice is always a good option. It’s affordable and easy to make, and it pairs well with tender caramelized chicken marsala.
Cooked rice has a neutral flavor that won’t compete with the marsala sauce, and it soaks up all of the deliciousness.
Both Citrus jasmine rice, white rice, and brown rice pair nicely with this Italian dish, and the rice can be made ahead of time. Bonus!
You can check out our Rice recipes here!
Chicken Marsala With Pasta
Pasta is another great option for chicken marsala. It’s one of those filling side dishes that work well with rich marsala sauce.
Best Pasta for Chicken Marsala
I like to use whole wheat pasta or quinoa pasta to make this dish a little healthier.
Other types of pasta that make nice side dishes to the flavourful sauce and chicken are:
- Penne Pasta
- Spaghetti
- Egg Noodles
- Farfalle
- Linguine
Why not grab a pasta maker and make some homemade pasta! It could be super fun and you’ll get to enjoy the delicious result.
Chicken Marsala and Noodles
Noodles are a great side to serve with chicken marsala. Whether it’s egg noodles, buttered noodles, or even zucchini noodles, they all pair nicely with the dish.
One of my personal favorites is Garlic Butter Noodles. It’s so simple to make and only requires a few ingredients, but it’s packed with flavor.
What Vegetables Go Well With Chicken Marsala?
Wondering what vegetables go with chicken marsala?
If you’re looking for some healthy sides to balance out your chicken marsala, then consider adding some vegetables to the mix.
When it comes to delicious vegetable side dishes I’d recommend something like If you’re looking for a vegetable side dish, I would recommend something that is roasted or sauteed.
The following vegetable dish recipes will move your favorite chicken marsala recipe up a notch and leave you feeling satisfied.
Southern Style Green Beans
Green beans are a classic side dish that goes with just about anything.
They’re easy to make and can be made ahead of time, which makes them the perfect side for chicken marsala.
Plus, Hearty Green Beans are a great source of fiber and vitamins, so you can feel good about serving them to your family.
Asparagus
Drizzle some Asparaguses with olive oil, season them with salt, and roast them in the oven. You’ll have a healthy and flavorful side dish that takes less than 20 minutes to make.
Adding cooked greens to chicken marsala adds variety and texture to the dish.
Broccoli
Fresh broccoli florets lightly sauteed in lemon zest and garlic make perfect chicken marsala sides.
They’re healthy, flavorful, and can be made in under 10 minutes. You really can’t go wrong with this one! You could also try a Broccoli Salad if you’re feeling adventurous.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is one of my favorite chicken marsala sides. It’s super healthy and can be cooked in so many different ways.
You could roast cauliflower, Air Fry Cauliflower or mash it, or even fry it. No matter how you make it, it’s sure to be delicious.
Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Brussels Sprouts are a great way to sneak some veggies into your meal. They’re crispy and make a great savory dish alongside marsala.
Sauteed Spinach
Cooked spinach is a great side dish for chicken marsala because it doesn’t take long to cook and it’s loaded with nutrients.
A simple sauteed spinach recipe will do the trick. Just add some garlic, melted butter, and a pinch of salt and you’re good to go.
Zucchini Noodles
Have you ever tried zucchini noodles with a creamy sauce? If not, you’re in for a treat. This dish is healthy, flavorful, and takes less than 10 minutes to make.
Top with some feta cheese and you’ll have a fantastic Italian side dish that everyone will love.
Roasted Carrots
Roasted Carrots are a quick and easy side dish that goes well with chicken marsala. They’re healthy, flavorful, and take less than 30 minutes to make.
Simply toss some carrots in olive oil and add some minced garlic, then roast them in the oven until they’re tender.
Or if you love the buttery taste of gourmet carrots, boil some carrots and add melted butter and dill as a topping.
Yellow Squash
Yellow squash is a great alternative to zucchini noodles. They have a slightly sweeter flavor and are just as easy to make.
Spray with a little olive oil and enjoy the sweet taste of Yellow Squash alongside your Chicken Marsala main.
Eggplant
Eggplant is always delicious when paired with a rich sauce. Chicken Marsala is no exception.
There are so many different ways to make eggplant, but my personal favorite s roasted eggplant. It’s super easy to make in the oven or air fryer!
Mushrooms
Whilst many put mushrooms into their creamy marsala chicken dish, you could also cook up a side dish of shitake, oyster, or chestnut mushrooms to serve as an accompaniment.
Another great way to get your mushroom fix is with a large Portobello mushroom drizzled with apple cider vinegar and cooked with Couscous.
Peppers
Why not try cooking some peppers in a warm broth, Japanese soy sauce, or chili sauce. This would make a great side dish for your Chicken Marsala.
You could also stuff a bell pepper with plain rice and top with your Marsala mixture to make one of those side dishes that also becomes a main.
Tomatoes
There are so many different types of tomatoes that would go great with chicken marsala.
You could use cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, or oven-roasted tomatoes. No matter which type you choose, add the fresh flavor of tomatoes to your dish for a fantastic side.
What Salad Goes Well With Chicken Marsala?
If you’re looking for a light and refreshing side to your chicken marsala, then consider serving it with a salad.
Salad will balance the flavorful sauce found in chicken marsala and leave you wanting more!
Some of my favorite salads to pair with chicken marsala are:
Caesar Salad
Pair your chicken marsala dish with a tasty caesar salad. The crisp lettuce and savory sauce dressing will complement your chicken marsala perfectly.
Greek Salad
A Greek Salad is another great option to serve alongside chicken marsala.
The salty feta cheese, the drizzle of olive oil, juicy tomatoes, and crispy cucumbers are the perfect addition to this dish.
Wedge Salad
If you’re looking for a more substantial salad, then consider a wedge salad.
The iceberg lettuce and creamy dressing will help to fill you up without weighing you down. Plus, the crispy bacon bits add a delicious flavor that goes well with chicken marsala.
Top with mustard dressing and hey presto, you have a great side.
Cucumber Salad
This is a great way to add some crunch and freshness to your meal. Simply combine cucumbers, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and salt.
Let the Cucumber Salad sit for at least an hour so the flavors can meld together. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Kale Salad
One of my favorite chicken marsala side dishes had to be a Kale Salad. The bitterness of the kale is a perfect contrast to the sweetness of the marsala sauce.
I like to add some parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese, croutons, and a lemony dressing to my kale salad. But feel free to add whatever toppings you like!
Quinoa Salad
Cook up some quinoa in your rice cooker and serve this wholesome grain alongside your chicken marsala dish.
I like to add black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, and a cilantro-lime dressing to my quinoa salad. But you can add whatever ingredients you like.
You could also cook sweet potatoes, stuff them with quinoa salad and top with your creamy marsala chicken.
Caprese Salad
Why not try a simple Caprese salad with parmesan cheese and lemon juice. The lemon zest adds a tangy flavor that goes great with chicken marsala..
Pasta Salad Is Another Great Option!
This dish is often served as a main course, but it can easily be turned into a side dish. Simply omit the chicken and you’re good to go!
More Side Dishes for Chicken Marsala
More fantastic chicken marsala side dishes could include:
- Italian Mushroom Risotto
- Tasty Polenta
- Nutty Almond Noodles
- Roast Potatoes
- Hawaiian Bread Rolls
- Tasty French Bread
- Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Asian Bok Choy and Shiitake Mushroom
- Herbed Potatoes
- Roasted Broccolini
- Duck Fat Fried Potatoes
- Air Fryer Garlic Bread
Wine Pairing With Chicken Marsala
What goes well with chicken marsala? Wine, of course!
Marsala is a fortified wine, so it’s only natural that you would want to pair it with another glass of wine.
The best wines for chicken marsala are:
- Dry white wine- A Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio would be a great choice.
- Dry red wine- A Merlot or Pinot Noir would be my top picks.
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic beverage to pair with your chicken marsala, then consider trying one of these:
- Apple Cider: Apple Cider is a great way to add some sweetness to your delicious Italian-inspired meal.
- Cranberry Juice: Cranberry juice is another fantastic drink option. The tartness of the cranberries will help to balance the richness of the sauce.
- Sparkling Water: If you’re looking for a light and refreshing beverage, then consider sparkling water. The carbonation will help to cleanse your palate between bites.
- Lemonade: Lemonade is a great drink to have with your marsala. The acidity of the lemon will help to cut through the richness of the sauce between sips.
Chicken Marsala Dinner Menu
So what’s on the dinner menu? What will you serve with chicken marsala? Will you choose cooked pasta or white rice to pair with the creamy flavor of marsala or will it be fresh spinach, vermicelli noodles, or maybe even roasted tomatoes?
Here’s a delicious chicken marsala dinner menu that’s sure to please your taste buds:
- Appetizer: Bruschetta with tomatoes, basil, and garlic.
- Main Course: Chicken Marsala with a side of penne pasta.
- Dessert: Tiramisu or Italian cream cake.
So What Is Chicken Marsala Served With?
As you can see, there are quite a few options available when it comes to what goes with chicken marsala. The dish is extremely versatile and can be paired with a variety of different side dishes.
So, what will you choose? Let me know in the comments below!
