Chicken Marsala Casserole – A Creamy, Cozy, Crowd-Pleasing Twist on the Classic Italian Dish

If you love the bold, restaurant-quality flavor of Chicken Marsala but want the comfort and convenience of a baked dish, this Chicken Marsala Casserole is about to become your newest obsession. It has everything you adore about traditional chicken marsala — the rich mushroom sauce, the deep flavor of Marsala wine, the tender chicken — all transformed into a bubbling, creamy, satisfying casserole perfect for weeknights, holidays, potlucks, or whenever you crave comfort food with elegance.

This dish delivers comfort and sophistication in one bite. The mushrooms sauté in butter until they’re golden and fragrant, the Marsala wine reduces into a caramel-toned, slightly sweet sauce, and the creamy addition of broth and heavy cream brings everything together in the most luxurious way. Combine that with tender chicken and the option of pasta or rice, and you have a hearty casserole that’s so irresistible you’ll want seconds — and maybe thirds.

Whether you’re looking to simplify a classic or feed a group without spending hours at the stove, this casserole is your answer.

Why This Chicken Marsala Casserole Works So Well

✔ A one-pan, family-friendly version of a restaurant classic

All the iconic flavor, none of the fuss.

✔ Creamy, rich, and incredibly comforting

The sauce bakes into the chicken for maximum flavor.

✔ Make ahead + meal prep friendly

Perfect for busy families or freeze-ahead meals.

✔ Customizable with pasta, rice, or low-carb options

It adapts to every dietary need.

✔ Layers of flavor from the browned mushrooms and Marsala wine

A depth you can’t replicate without the Marsala reduction.

Ingredients

Chicken

• 2 lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Marsala Sauce

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 3 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 cup Marsala wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp thyme or Italian seasoning

Casserole Add-Ins (Optional)

• 2 cups cooked pasta (penne or egg noodles) or
• 2 cups cooked rice or
• Keep low-carb and skip the starch

Topping

• 1 cup mozzarella or provolone cheese
• ½ cup parmesan cheese
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Prep the Oven
   Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 casserole dish.
2. Cook the Chicken
   Heat olive oil in a skillet. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sauté until lightly browned (does not need to be fully cooked). Transfer to casserole dish.
3. Make the Marsala Sauce
   In the same skillet, melt butter.
   Sauté onions for 3 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until browned (6–7 minutes).
   Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
4. Add Thickener
   Stir in flour, cooking for 30 seconds to remove raw taste.
5. Deglaze with Marsala Wine
   Pour in Marsala wine and stir, scraping up browned bits.
   Simmer 3–5 minutes to reduce slightly.
6. Create the Creamy Base
   Add broth, cream, salt, pepper, and thyme.
   Simmer until thickened, 4–6 minutes.
7. Assemble the Casserole
   Pour sauce over the chicken in the casserole dish.
   Stir in pasta or rice if using.
8. Add Toppings
   Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan evenly.
9. Bake
   Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden.
10. Finish & Serve
    Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Chicken Marsala Casserole

A creamy, comforting casserole inspired by the classic Italian dish, featuring tender chicken, mushrooms, Marsala wine, and a cheesy golden topping.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 520

Ingredients

  

Chicken

• 2 lbs chicken breast cubed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Marsala Sauce

• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 onion diced
• 3 cups mushrooms sliced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 cup Marsala wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp thyme

Add-Ins

• 2 cups cooked pasta or rice optional

Topping

• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese
• parsley for garnish

Equipment

• Skillet
• Casserole dish
• Whisk
• Knife

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease a casserole dish.
2. Brown chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. Sauté onions and mushrooms in butter; add garlic.
4. Add flour and cook briefly.
5. Add Marsala wine and reduce for 3–5 minutes.
6. Add broth, cream, salt, pepper, and thyme; simmer until thickened.
7. Combine chicken, optional pasta/rice, and sauce in casserole dish.
8. Top with cheeses and bake until bubbly, 20–25 minutes.

Notes

For deeper flavor, use a blend of mushrooms like cremini and shiitake. Reduce wine fully before adding cream.

Tips for the Best Chicken Marsala Casserole

✔ Brown the mushrooms

This step adds huge depth and prevents sogginess.

✔ Reduce the wine properly

You want the alcohol cooked off, leaving only the rich flavor.

✔ Don’t overcook the chicken

It finishes baking in the casserole.

✔ Make it low-carb by skipping the pasta

It’s still incredibly satisfying.

✔ Add cheese sparingly

Marsala has a delicate flavor — too much cheese can overshadow it.

Delicious Variations

Low-Carb Marsala Bake

Skip pasta/rice and add sautéed spinach or cauliflower.

Marsala Chicken & Sausage Casserole

Add sliced Italian sausage for a heartier version.

Gluten-Free Version

Use gluten-free flour and gluten-free pasta.

Mushroom Lover’s Edition

Use a blend of:

• cremini
• shiitake
• baby bella

Extra Creamy Version

Add ½ cup more heavy cream or a splash of cream cheese.

Serving Suggestions

Pair your casserole with:

Vegetables

• Garlic-roasted broccoli
• Parmesan asparagus
• Green beans almondine

Starches

• Buttered noodles
• Mashed potatoes
• Herb rice

Bread

• Garlic knots
• Crusty artisan loaf
• Soft dinner rolls

Meal Prep & Storage

Refrigerate:

Up to 4 days.

Freeze:

Freeze before baking for best results.

Reheat:

Bake at 350°F or microwave gently.

Fun Food Facts

• Marsala wine is a fortified Sicilian wine known for its caramel and nutty notes.
• The original Chicken Marsala was created in the 1800s by Italian families influenced by British cooking styles.
• Mushrooms amplify umami — making creamy dishes extra satisfying.