Have you ever made chicken marsala and wondered what wine would pair perfectly with this delicious Italian-American dish? Well, I’ve been there too! As a food blogger who loves experimenting in the kitchen, I’ve spent considerable time testing different wines both for cooking chicken marsala and pairing with it when serving Let me share what I’ve learned about choosing the right wine for your chicken marsala experience.
For Cooking Chicken Marsala: Marsala Wine Options
Let’s start with the obvious – chicken marsala gets its name from Marsala wine, a fortified wine from Sicily that gives the dish its distinctive flavor. But not all Marsala wines are created equal!
Dry vs. Sweet Marsala
Most chefs prefer dry Marsala for cooking chicken marsala. While dry Marsala is still somewhat sweet, it’s less sweet than sweet Marsala and better suited for savory dishes. The dry variety offers a nutty, brown sugary taste that provides lovely caramelization to meat and mushrooms without making the dish overly sweet.
That said, many cooks agree that dry and sweet Marsala can be used interchangeably in chicken marsala preparations. If you’re in a pinch and only have sweet Marsala, you can definitely use it – your dish will just be a bit sweeter.
Top Marsala Wine Brands for Cooking
After trying numerous brands, here are some of the best Marsala wines for cooking chicken marsala:
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Florio Dry Marsala – Aged in Slovenian oak barrels for over 18 months, it has a deep amber to brown color that gives your chicken marsala sauce a rich hue. With hints of raisins and vanilla, it subtly enhances the sweetness of your dish. At under $11 for a 750ml bottle, it’s also budget-friendly.
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Colombo Marsala Dry – Despite having a minimum sugar level of 20 grams per liter, it’s perfect for cooking chicken marsala. Often found in professional kitchens rather than bars, it’s versatile enough for both savory and sweet dishes.
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Cribari Marsala – This full-bodied Marsala wine has a rich taste with light nutty flavor and citrus and floral notes. It’s great for both cooking and sipping, costing less than $7 for a 750ml bottle.
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Kedem Gourmet Marsala Cooking Wine – This is a health-conscious option that’s free of gluten, artificial flavoring, artificial coloring, and added sugar. It’s also certified kosher and has a flavor similar to dry Marsala wine
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Mineo Marsala Dry – Described as “off-dry” and “the perfect quality for cooking,” this wine has all the great flavors you’d expect from a Marsala wine and retails for about $10-$15 a bottle.
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Santini Marsala – A DOC fortified wine with dry aromas of spices and wood, it has a golden amber color and notes of vanilla, toffee, and caramel. Retailing for around $9, it’s bottled in the Marsala region in Sicily.
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Holland House Marsala Blend Cooking Wine – Specifically blended for Marsala-based dishes, it can withstand high heat and maintain its quality for up to two years after opening.
Wine to Pair With Chicken Marsala When Serving
Now, let’s talk about what wine to serve alongside your delicious chicken marsala. The key is finding a wine that complements the complex marsala sauce without overpowering it.
White Wine Options
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Pinot Grigio – This dry white wine from Northern Italy has a light body and bright acidity that cuts through the rich sauce. Its fruity flavors complement the earthy mushrooms in the dish.
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Sauvignon Blanc – With crisp acidity and bright citrus flavors, this wine balances the rich flavors of chicken marsala. Its high acidity helps cleanse the palate after each bite.
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Chardonnay – A versatile white wine that pairs well with creamy sauces like those in chicken marsala.
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Chenin Blanc and Riesling – Other dry white wines that can complement the dish nicely.
Red Wine Options
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Pinot Noir – This light-bodied red wine has a delicate flavor profile with notes of cherry and raspberry. Its elegance makes it perfect for the rich, savory flavors of chicken marsala, while its acidity cuts through the richness.
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Valpolicella – Made from a blend of grape varieties in the Veneto region of Italy, it has fruity and floral aromas with notes of cherries, spices, and chocolate. Its bright acidity and light tannins make it a great match.
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Chianti – A dry, medium-bodied wine from Tuscany, Italy with bold flavors of black cherry, dried herbs, and tobacco. Its dry finish balances the sweetness of the Marsala wine in the dish.
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Barbera – This red wine has a fruity, earthy taste with a bit of spice that matches well with the flavors in chicken marsala.
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Merlot – Known for its soft, smooth tannins and medium body, Merlot’s fruitiness complements the mushrooms and Marsala wine in the dish.
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Gamay – A light-bodied red wine from the Beaujolais region of France known for bright berry and cherry flavors that complement the mushroom and Marsala wine flavors.
Considerations When Pairing Wine with Chicken Marsala
When choosing a wine to serve with your chicken marsala, keep these factors in mind:
1. Matching Intensity of Flavors
Choose a wine with similar taste intensity to your dish. Lighter-bodied reds like Valpolicella or Pinot Noir allow the chicken and mushrooms to shine without competition. For something more robust, try Chianti or Rose.
2. Balancing Acidity and Sweetness
Pay attention to how sweet or dry your chicken marsala tastes:
- For sweeter dishes, choose a sweeter white wine
- For savory dishes, pick an off-dry or semi-dry white wine
- With red wines, drier dishes pair well with drier reds, while sweeter dishes go well with sweeter reds
3. Enhancing or Contrasting Flavors
You can either enhance the dish’s flavors with similar wine notes or create contrast:
- Enhancing: Try an earthy Pinot Noir or crisp white wine to bring out the delicate chicken flavors
- Contrasting: Serve something bolder like an oaky Chardonnay or spicy red blend to balance sweetness and add excitement
No Marsala Wine? Try These Substitutes
If you can’t find Marsala wine for cooking, here are some alternatives:
Alcoholic Substitutes
- Madeira wine – Similar taste profile to Marsala
- DIY mix: Combine 2 parts white wine + 1 part brandy + brown sugar + pinch of salt, then simmer
Non-Alcoholic Substitutes
- Chicken stock
- Balsamic vinegar reduction
- Pomegranate juice
- Cranberry juice
- Apple juice
- Red or white grape juice
My Personal Experience
I’ve tried making chicken marsala with several different Marsala wines, and my personal favorite is Florio Dry Marsala. The deep color and subtle vanilla notes really elevate the dish, and the price point can’t be beat! When serving, I usually pair it with a light-bodied Pinot Noir if I’m in the mood for red, or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc if I’m feeling like white wine.
For me, the wine pairing really depends on the season too – I tend to go with white wines in summer and red wines in winter. There’s just something about sipping a glass of Pinot Noir alongside chicken marsala on a cold winter evening that feels so cozy and perfect!
Final Thoughts
The beauty of chicken marsala is that it’s versatile enough to pair with many different wines. Whether you prefer the crispness of a white wine or the body of a red wine, there’s an option that will complement your dish perfectly.
Remember the golden rule of cooking with wine: use a wine you would actually drink (unless it’s specifically a cooking wine). This ensures that the flavors incorporated into your dish are ones you already enjoy.
Have you tried any of these wine pairings with chicken marsala? I’d love to hear your experiences and preferences in the comments below!
Wine Pairing Chicken Marsala Options
One popular wine pairing for Chicken Marsala is Pinot Grigio. This dry white wine from Northern Italy has a light body and bright acidity that helps to cut through the rich sauce of the dish. The fruity flavors of Pinot Grigio also complement the earthy flavors of the mushrooms in the sauce.
Another great option for pairing with Chicken Marsala is Sauvignon Blanc. This dry medium bodied white wine from France has a crisp acidity and bright citrus flavors that balance the rich flavors of the dish. Sauvignon Blanc also has a high acidity, which can help to cleanse the palate after each bite of the rich sauce.
Other dry white wine options that can complement Chicken Marsala include Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Riesling.
One great option is Pinot Noir. This light-bodied red wine has a delicate flavor profile with notes of cherry and raspberry. Its light and elegant nature makes it a perfect match for the rich and savory flavors of the Chicken Marsala. The acidity of the Pinot Noir also helps to cut through the richness of the dish, making it a well-balanced pairing.
Another great option is Valpolicella. This red wine is made from a blend of grape varieties in the Veneto region of Italy. It has a fruity and floral aroma with notes of cherries, spices, and chocolate. Its bright acidity and light tannins make it a great match for the savory and slightly sweet flavors of the Chicken Marsala.
A light-bodied red wine from the Beaujolais region of France, such as a Gamay, is also a great option. Gamay grapes are known for their bright berry and cherry flavors, which complement the mushroom and Marsala wine flavors in the dish. The wine’s light body and fresh acidity help to balance the richness of the dish.
One great choice is Chianti. This is amake of red wine that is produced in the Chianti region of Tuscany, Italy. It is a dry and medium-bodied wine that is often paired with Italian cuisine, including dishes like Chicken Marsala.
It has bold and robust flavors of black cherry, dried herbs, and tobacco. The wine itself is not overly sweet and has a dry finish that helps to balance the sweetness of the Marsala wine.
Another great choice is Barbera. This red wine has a fruity and earthy taste and a bit of spicy flavor that matches well with the spices in the dish.
Merlot is also a good choice. This medium-bodied wine is known for its soft, smooth tannins and medium body. Merlot grapes are widely grown, and the wine is produced in many different regions around the world, including France, Italy, the United States, and Chile.
The Merlot’s fruit-forward and soft tannins characteristic make it a versatile wine that can pair well with a variety of dishes, including Chicken Marsala. Its fruitiness complements the flavors of the mushrooms and Marsala wine used in the dish, creating a well-balanced meal.
Chicken Marsala features a rich, savory sauce made with mushrooms and Marsala wine. While you can pair any wine with your chicken marsala meal, some pairings work better than others.
That said, here are some considerations you should make when pairing wine with chicken marsala.
Matching Intensity of Flavors
In order to match the intensity of flavors, you’ll need to choose a wine that has similar taste and characteristics. A lighter-bodied red wine such as a Valpolicella or Pinot Noir is ideal for this dish because it will allow the chicken and mushrooms to shine through without competing with them too much.
If you’re looking for something more robust in its flavor profile, try a Chianti or Rose. These wines are typically made from Sangiovese grapes and have heavier bodies that will stand up to the meaty chicken and earthy mushrooms.
Chicken Marsala
FAQ
What wine goes with chicken marsala?
Paired with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc, this easy Chicken Marsala is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, but it’s also elegant enough to serve at a dinner party. The Marsala wine, bacon, butter sauce will have you licking your plate! Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
What is chicken marsala wine?
Chicken marsala is a delicious Italian-American dish with pan-fried chicken, mushrooms, and a rich marsala wine sauce. In this post, we’ll be looking at the: Best Brands of Marsala Wines For Chicken Marsala Keep reading for the specifics. Are there different types of Marsala wine? The short answer: yes!
What does chicken marsala taste like?
The taste of Chicken Marsala is complex due to its combination of savory mushrooms and slightly sweet Marsala wine. The sauce is often smooth and creamy, thanks to the reduction of the wine and broth, making it both flavorful and comforting. The chicken itself is tender and juicy, designed to absorb the richness of the Marsala sauce.
How much wine do you need to make chicken marsala?
And with most chicken Marsala recipes requiring anywhere from three-fourths to one cup of Marsala wine, its presence can help give your creation a deep-colored sauce, thus making it pop out of the table. Hints of raisins and vanilla can subtly enhance the sweetness of your chicken Marsala — make sure you make some extra sauce!
What is a good substitute for Marsala wine?
The best substitute for Marsala wine would be Madeira because their taste profiles are similar. If you don’t have access to either of these wines, you can mix one part brandy with two parts of white wine mixed with brown sugar and a dash of salt to sub.
What is chicken marsala?
Chicken Marsala is a traditional Italian dish that’s simple to prepare and amazingly delicious! This dish has a creamy sauce that’s got a hint of sweetness from the marsala, a smoky-richness from the bacon, and lots of umami-goodness from the wild mushrooms. What Is Marsala Wine?
What kind of wine do you use for Chicken Marsala?
What wine goes best with chicken masala?
Classic Chicken Tikka Masala: A dry Riesling or a Gewürztraminer can bring out the rich, spicy flavors of the dish. Spicy Chicken Tikka Masala: Try a fruity Zinfandel or a bold Syrah to balance the heat and spices.
What kind of wine is Marsala cooking wine?