When you’ve spent time perfecting that delicious chicken marsala – with its tender chicken cutlets, earthy mushrooms, and rich wine sauce – the last thing you want is to serve it with a lackluster side dish. The right accompaniment can elevate your chicken marsala from merely good to absolutely spectacular!
As someone who cooks chicken marsala regularly for family dinners I’ve experimented with countless side dishes over the years. Some pairings work better than others, and I’m excited to share my favorites with you today.
Whether you’re looking for starchy sides to soak up that amazing marsala sauce or vegetables to balance the richness of the dish, I’ve got you covered with these perfect pairings.
Starchy Sides That Complement Chicken Marsala
Let’s start with the classics – the starchy sides that help soak up all that delicious marsala sauce:
1. Rice Options
Rice is probably the most versatile side dish for chicken marsala. Here are some variations to try:
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White Rice: Simple yet effective, white rice doesn’t compete with the flavors of your main dish but instead highlights them. It’s fluffy and almost neutral in taste, making it perfect for soaking up that rich marsala sauce.
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Brown Rice: For a nuttier flavor and extra nutrients, try brown rice. Its earthiness pairs wonderfully with the mushrooms in the sauce.
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Jasmine Rice: Want to add an aromatic element? Jasmine rice infused with lemon zest brings a subtle citrusy note that complements the marsala beautifully.
2. Pasta and Noodles
The Italian-American roots of chicken marsala make pasta a natural pairing:
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Angel Hair Pasta: This delicate pasta is quick to cook and won’t overpower the main dish. A little olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese makes it perfect.
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Egg Noodles: These soft, buttery noodles cook in just 6 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights. They’re fantastic at catching all that delicious sauce!
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Handmade Pasta: If you’re feeling ambitious, nothing beats homemade pasta. Even without a pasta maker, you can create a wonderful texture using just a rolling pin.
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Zucchini Noodles: Looking for a lower-carb option? Spiralized zucchini makes a great alternative that still carries the sauce beautifully.
3. Italian-Inspired Sides
Since chicken marsala has Italian roots, these traditional Italian sides are natural companions:
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Risotto: This creamy Italian rice dish adds an elegant touch to your meal. Mushroom risotto particularly complements the flavors in chicken marsala, though parmesan risotto is equally delicious.
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Polenta: Made from cornmeal, polenta has a mild corn flavor that provides a wonderful canvas for the marsala sauce to shine. Its creamy, buttery texture is simply divine.
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Ricotta Gnocchi: These soft, pillowy dumplings practically melt in your mouth and pair beautifully with the savory marsala sauce.
4. Potato Variations
Potatoes are always reliable and offer many preparation methods:
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Mashed Potatoes: Classic, creamy mashed potatoes make the perfect bed for chicken marsala. Add garlic for extra flavor!
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Roasted Potatoes: Crispy on the outside and tender inside, roasted potatoes add textural contrast to the dish.
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Boursin Hasselback Potatoes: For something more impressive, try these accordion-style potatoes topped with creamy herbed Boursin cheese.
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Fingerling Potatoes: These small, tender potatoes roasted with Italian seasonings and garlic make an elegant side.
Vegetable Sides to Balance Your Meal
Balance the richness of chicken marsala with these veggie options:
5. Green Vegetables
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Sautéed Spinach: Quick, easy, and nutritious! Simply sauté with garlic and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice.
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Asparagus: Whether roasted or sautéed, asparagus provides a wonderful textural contrast. Lemon roasted asparagus is particularly good with chicken marsala.
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Green Beans: Try them simply steamed or elevate them as green bean almondine with toasted sliced almonds.
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Broccoli or Broccolini: These cruciferous veggies can be sautéed, roasted, or grilled for a nutritious side that stands up to the bold flavors of marsala.
6. Other Vegetable Options
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Roasted Brussels Sprouts: Try them with a balsamic glaze for a sweet-tangy flavor that complements the marsala sauce.
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Buttered Peas and Carrots: This classic combination offers sweetness and color to your plate.
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Roasted Carrots: Simple roasted carrots with a drizzle of honey add a touch of sweetness to balance the savory marsala.
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Zucchini: Sautéed or roasted zucchini makes a light, summery side dish.
Fresh and Light Sides
Sometimes you need something fresh to cut through the richness:
7. Salads and Fresh Options
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Caprese Salad: This Italian classic with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar adds a refreshing element to your meal.
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Simple Green Salad: A light salad with a vinaigrette dressing can help balance the richness of the chicken marsala.
Bread Options
Don’t forget the bread to soak up every last bit of that amazing sauce!
8. Bread Sides
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French Baguettes: Crusty on the outside, soft on the inside – perfect for mopping up sauce.
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Garlic Herb Bread: Swirled garlic herb bread adds another layer of flavor to your meal.
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Dinner Rolls: Soft, buttery rolls are always welcome at the dinner table.
My Top 5 Favorite Sides for Chicken Marsala
After years of experimenting, these are my personal favorites:
- Creamy Risotto: The ultimate elegant pairing that feels restaurant-worthy
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Comfort food at its finest
- Roasted Asparagus with Lemon: Adds brightness and balances the rich sauce
- Angel Hair Pasta with Garlic and Parmesan: Simple yet absolutely delicious
- Caprese Salad: Adds freshness and color to the plate
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Side
When deciding what to serve with your chicken marsala, consider these factors:
- Sauce absorption: Choose at least one side that can soak up that delicious marsala sauce
- Textural contrast: Pair something crisp or crunchy with the tender chicken
- Flavor balance: If your marsala sauce is very rich, include something fresh or acidic
- Preparation timing: Choose sides that can be ready when your chicken is done
Putting It All Together: Complete Meal Ideas
Here are some winning combinations for a complete chicken marsala dinner:
Elegant Dinner Party Menu:
- Chicken Marsala
- Mushroom Risotto
- Lemon Roasted Asparagus
- Caprese Salad
- French Baguette
Weeknight Family Dinner:
- Chicken Marsala
- Buttered Egg Noodles
- Sautéed Green Beans
- Dinner Rolls
Lower-Carb Option:
- Chicken Marsala
- Zucchini Noodles
- Roasted Broccoli
- Simple Green Salad
Final Thoughts
The beauty of chicken marsala is its versatility. While it’s perfectly delicious on its own, the right side dishes can transform it into an extraordinary meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
I’ve found that most people enjoy having at least one starchy side to soak up the sauce, along with a vegetable for balance. But ultimately, the best side dishes are the ones you and your family enjoy most!
What’s your favorite side to serve with chicken marsala? Do you prefer classic pasta, creamy risotto, or something else entirely? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m suddenly craving chicken marsala with a side of creamy polenta and roasted asparagus. Dinner plans: sorted!
Serve Vegetables That Won’t Get Lost Beside the Chicken
To complement the rich, savory flavors of chicken marsala, you’ll want to serve vegetables that are a good match such as brussels sprouts, broccoli or potatoes would be a great choice. These vegetables also pair well with Marsala wine because they’re hearty and have enough flavor to stand up against it while still not overshadowing the distinct flavors.
Keep in mind, it’s not so much the side dish main ingredient but the herbs and spices used to add flavor. Since this dish is Italian cuisine, it’s important to use Italian themed herbs, not other cuisines like Thai, Chinese, etc. That may seem obvious but mixing cuisines too much can honestly take away from the flavor and enjoyment of the main dish.
Here’s a list of vegetables that would serve well with Chicken Marsala:
Chicken Marsala is not Just Chicken and Marsala
It’s a deliciously elegant Italian entrée that combines tender chicken breasts with mushrooms and sweet wine (marsala) to create a unique and distinctive flavor.
It is not a delicate dish like chicken piccata where heavy sides would detract from the main dish. Instead, we’ve got a chicken recipe in a heavier sauce based on mushrooms and marsala that go well with simple side dishes, with an occasional exception as long as everything is in balance.
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FAQ
What does chicken marsala pair well with?
The sweet and savory marsala sauce is a great match with the complex notes of red wines, while the chicken itself pairs well with white wines.
What sides go well with chicken masala?
To serve with chicken marsala, choose classic Italian sides like pasta (spaghetti, linguine, fettuccine), mashed potatoes, or crusty bread for soaking up the sauce. Alternatively, pair it with simple roasted vegetables like broccoli, asparagus, or green beans to add a fresh element to the rich dish.