Chicken Marsala Recipe & the Best Wine Pairings

Wondering what’s the best wine pairing with Chicken Marsala? This golden chicken dish with a rich wine sauce works well with both white wines and red wines.

But not all wines are created equal. You’ll want to make sure the dish and the wine are an even match. Otherwise, your palate can be overwhelmed by one of them.

Read on to find out how to choose the perfect pairing for this classic dish. And get the recipe to go with it!

Wine Pairing with Chicken Marsala

The best wine pairing with Chicken Marsala is a dry, full-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc. Or a lighter, low-tannin red wine like Pinot Noir or Gamay. These wines will match the weight of the rich mushroom and Marsala wine sauce, without overpowering it.

What is Chicken Marsala?

Chicken Marsala is thought to have originated in Sicily’s Trapani province. Which also happens to be the home of Marsala wine.

While its roots are in Italy, it may also have been influenced by all the French chefs hanging out in the area after the Napoleonic wars.

And the dish continued to evolve when it crossed the pond to the United States. Italian immigrants adapted it using local ingredients.

A staple in Italian restaurants and on home dinner tables alike, today’s version is golden pan-fried chicken breasts simmered in a mushroom and Marsala wine sauce. De-lish!

What is Marsala Wine?

Before getting into Chicken Marsala wine pairings, it’s helpful to know more about the ingredients and different flavors in the dish.

Marsala is a fortified wine from Sicily. This means high-proof alcohol (i.e., brandy) is added during the wine’s fermentation. This kills the yeast and stops the fermentation. If it’s added before the yeast has converted all the sugar to alcohol, the wine can have some sweetness.

That’s why you’ll find Marsala comes in a range of sweetness levels. Secco is the driest style. Or sweet Marsala wine will be labeled Semi Secco or Dulce (the sweetest).

Depending on how much brandy is added and when it’s added during fermentation, alcohol levels can be between 15% and 20% ABV.

Marsala also comes in different colors. Just like with other wines, it can be made with white or red grapes. And the age of the wine will impact the color as well.

White grapes like Grillo, Cattaroto, and Inzolia will be Amber (Ambra) or Gold (Oro) in color. Red grapes like Pignatello and Nerello Mascalese make a ruby-colored style (called Rubino).

Marsala is classified by how long it’s been aged in oak. This starts at Fine, with a minimum aging requirement of one year. And it can go all the way up to Stravecchio at 10 years. Superiore, Superiore Riserva, and Vergine (or Soleras) fall between the two.

Younger styles will have flavors of apricot, vanilla, and tamarind. And as it ages, you’ll get more tobacco and nutty flavors.

Best Marsala Wine for Chicken Marsala Recipes

Older styles of Marsala make a great aperitif or after-dinner sipper. But if you’re using it as a cooking wine, the younger styles of Marsala are best.

And you’ll want a dry Marsala wine for this savory dish. It will add those delicious nutty, caramelized flavors.

Look for Fine or Superiore that’s labeled “Secco.” And make sure it’s actually from Sicily and not a knock-off.

Since the alcohol level is on the higher side, an opened bottle should stay good for about a month. Just make sure to keep it in a cool, dark place. And using something like a vacuum pump can extend its life further.

Marsala Wine Substitutes

If you’re in a pinch, there are a few things that can work as a substitute for Marsala wine. The closest swap would be Madeira, another fortified wine from the island of Madeira, Portugal. Look for ones labeled Finest or Rainwater.

Dry sherry could also work (the drinking kind, not the cooking kind). Or for a non-alcoholic alternative, adding some extra chicken stock or chicken broth will do. You just won’t get the same complex, deep flavors that wine adds to the Marsala sauce.

What Wine Goes with Chicken Marsala?

Choosing the best Chicken Marsala wine pairings is not as simple as white wine with white meat and red wine with red meat. You also need to factor in the sauce.

And for creamy Chicken Marsala, it’s all about the sauce! Lighter white wines can easily be overwhelmed by its richness and complexity. On the flip side, full-bodied and tannic red wines can overpower the dish.

You’ll want something in the middle that’s juuust right. For red, go for a lighter wine with a low tannin level. Or a robust white wine is a great choice. Here are some options that fit these categories.

White Wine Pairing with Chicken Marsala

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc is a versatile wine. It can be dry or sweet, still or sparkling. It all depends on the level of ripeness in the grapes.

Those from warmer and sunnier regions will have more body, making them an excellent choice for pairing with Chicken Marsala.

Flavors will lean toward stone fruits like peach. And you may get aromas like brown sugar and honeysuckle.

In France’s Loire Valley, you’ll find the fullest-bodied versions from Savennières. This drier appellation allows the grapes to ripen on the vine longer without risk of rot.

In the new world, Chenin is the most planted grape in South Africa. You’ll find richer styles from warmer areas like Paarl, that have less ocean influence. Or Swartland is a source of concentrated old vine versions.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is known as a chameleon grape. The aromas and flavors are heavily influenced by the climate and the winemaker’s choices.

Those from warmer climates will have the body needed to work with this dish. These styles will have tropical fruit notes like melon and pineapple.

And those that have seen malolactic fermentation (converting the malo acid to lactic acid) or oak influence will have a richer, rounder texture.

Burgundy has a reputation as being the best of the best. The ripest versions are found in Pouilly-Fuissé in the south (not to be confused with the Loire Valley’s Pouilly-Fumé, which is Sauvignon Blanc).

Chardonnay is also California’s most-planted grape, with Napa Valley being one of the warmer regions. Or Adelaide Hills in Australia is another great new world option.

Red Wine Pairing with Chicken Marsala

Pinot Noir

When I think mushroom sauce, I think Pinot Noir. That’s because this red wine often develops aromas and flavors of mushrooms as it ages.

Coupled with its red cherry, clove, and earthy notes, it makes a great match for Chicken Marsala. It’s often a light to medium-bodied wine.

And it has fewer tannins than many other red wines. So, it will complement the dish rather than take it over.

Pinot Noir is kind of a diva, making it expensive to produce. So good values are hard to come by. Burgundy is the home of Pinot Noir, great for a special occasion.

But if you want a more affordable option, look for ones from Germany (Spätburgunder), Italy (Pinot Nero), or Chile.

Gamay

Gamay is another fruity red wine that’s a great option to pair with this flavorful sauce. It’s also on the lighter side, and you’ll get flavors like red cherry, raspberry, and cranberry mixed in with floral notes.

Gamay is almost exclusively found in France’s Beaujolais region. Basic Beaujolais often sees carbonic or semi-carbonic maceration.

Not to get too wine geeky, but this involves using whole bunches of grapes that go through an internal fermentation inside the berries. This gives the wine more color and fruity flavors (e.g., banana, cinnamon, kirsch) without adding tannin.

Better versions come from Beaujolais Villages and the 10 Beaujolais Crus. Fleurie and Brouilly will be the lightest styles that are a good choice for this dish.

You’ll also find some Gamay in other parts of Burgundy and in the Loire Valley. There aren’t many places outside of France growing this grape. But you may come across it from the Willamette Valley in Oregon, United States.

What Should You Serve with Chicken Marsala?

There are tons of great Chicken Marsala sides. If you want to beef up your meal a bit, you can add a starch. The creamy sauce is heavenly over buttery mashed potatoes or polenta. Rice or couscous also make a great companion.

Or since there’s some Italian influence, why not go for pasta? Fettucine, linguine, tagliatelle, pappardelle…take your pick!

For veggies, I like something green to go with my Chicken Marsala dish. Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and green beans are all a great match. Or a nice salad will do the trick too.

Chicken Marsala Recipe Equipment

For this recipe, you’ll need the following equipment:

• Sharp chef’s knife
• Large skillet
• Meat mallet
• Shallow bowl
• Wooden spoon