Chicken Marsala Casserole Recipe

Chicken Marsala emerged as a culinary fusion between Italian-American immigrants and traditional Sicilian cooking techniques, transforming a simple pan sauce into a beloved comfort food casserole. You'll discover how this dish bridges classic techniques with modern convenience, creating a meal that's both nostalgic and contemporary. Want to learn how to turn a restaurant favorite into an easy home-cooked masterpiece that'll impress your entire family?

Recipe Highlights

• Sauté chicken chunks and mushrooms in a skillet, seasoning with salt and pepper, to create a flavorful base for the Chicken Marsala Casserole.
• Deglaze the skillet with Marsala wine, allowing it to simmer and reduce, creating a rich, glossy sauce that coats the chicken and mushrooms.
• Mix cooked noodles into the chicken and mushroom mixture, ensuring an even distribution of the Marsala wine sauce throughout the dish.
• Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 baking dish, spreading evenly and optionally topping with fresh parmesan cheese before baking.
• Bake the casserole until heated through, then let rest for 10 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld.

History

Although Chicken Marsala has roots in traditional Italian cuisine, its American adaptation tells a fascinating culinary story of immigrant innovation.

Italian immigrants in the late 19th century brought Marsala wine and cooking techniques from Sicily, transforming classic recipes to suit American tastes and ingredients. You'll find that the dish evolved from a delicate scaloppine preparation to a heartier, more accessible casserole format that home cooks could easily prepare.

The Marsala wine itself comes from the western region of Sicily, originally produced by English merchants in the 1770s.

You might be surprised to learn that the wine's robust flavor became a key ingredient in Italian-American cooking, bridging traditional European techniques with local American ingredients and cooking styles.

Recipe

Chicken Marsala Casserole transforms the elegant Italian-American classic into a comforting, easy-to-prepare family meal. By converting the traditional pan-seared dish into a hearty casserole, home cooks can enjoy all the rich, sophisticated flavors with minimal preparation time.

This one-dish wonder brings together tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and luxurious Marsala wine in a creamy, satisfying format that's perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. The baked casserole allows the ingredients to meld together, creating a deeply flavorful and harmonious dish that's sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts, cut into chunks
• 16 oz sliced mushrooms
• 2 cups Marsala wine
• 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
• 8 oz egg noodles
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Begin by preheating the oven to 375°F and preparing the egg noodles according to package instructions.

While the noodles cook, heat olive oil in a large skillet and brown the chicken chunks, seasoning with salt and pepper. Add sliced mushrooms and cook until they soften and release their moisture.

Pour the Marsala wine and cream of mushroom soup into the skillet, stirring to create a smooth sauce.

Combine the cooked noodles with the chicken and mushroom mixture, then transfer everything to a greased 9×13 baking dish.

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes until the top is lightly browned and the casserole is bubbling.

For best results, use dry Marsala wine instead of sweet, and select fresh mushrooms for the most robust flavor.

The casserole can be assembled a day in advance and refrigerated, which allows the flavors to develop further.

If baking from cold, add 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time, and always let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the sauce to thicken and set.

Cooking Steps

Start by browning your chicken chunks in a large skillet, creating a golden, flavorful exterior that'll enhance the dish's overall taste.

Add sliced mushrooms to the pan, cooking them until they've softened and released their earthy aroma, which will complement the chicken beautifully.

Pour in the Marsala wine and cream of mushroom soup, stirring to create a rich, cohesive sauce, then mix in your perfectly cooked egg noodles before transferring the entire mixture to a prepared baking dish.

Step 1. Brown Chicken Chunks

Fire up your skillet and grab those chicken breasts for a quick browning that'll lay the flavor foundation of your Marsala casserole. Cut the chicken into 1-inch chunks, ensuring they're roughly uniform in size for even cooking.

Season the pieces generously with salt and pepper, then heat a tablespoon of olive oil in your skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers and looks almost dancing, add your chicken chunks:

• Don't overcrowd the pan
• Work in batches if necessary
• Allow space between pieces for proper browning

Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, turning them until they develop a golden-brown crust.

You're looking for a rich, caramelized exterior that'll lock in moisture and create deep, complex flavor notes. The chicken won't be fully cooked through—that'll happen during baking—but should look beautifully seared.

Step 2. Add Mushrooms, Cook

Once the chicken is beautifully browned, it's time to introduce the mushrooms to your skillet, transforming the pan into a flavor-building stage.

Drop the 16 oz of sliced mushrooms directly into the hot pan, spreading them evenly to ensure maximum contact with the surface. Let the mushrooms sizzle and release their moisture, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and promote even caramelization.

Watch for visual cues: the mushrooms will start to shrink, darken, and develop a rich golden-brown color, indicating they're releasing their deep, earthy flavor. This process typically takes 5-7 minutes, during which you'll want to season lightly with salt and pepper.

The mushrooms will become tender and slightly glossy, creating a perfect complement to the browned chicken chunks.

Step 3. Pour in Marsala Wine

The Marsala wine is the magical flavor enhancer that will transform your chicken and mushroom mixture into a deeply aromatic, rich dish.

Carefully pour the two cups of dry Marsala wine into the skillet, using slow, steady movements to prevent splashing. Let the wine simmer with the chicken and mushrooms, allowing it to reduce slightly and concentrate its complex, nutty flavors.

Stir gently to incorporate the wine, creating a glossy, amber-colored sauce that coats the ingredients. Watch for visual cues like slight thickening and a rich, translucent sheen that signals the wine is integrating perfectly with the other ingredients.

The alcohol will cook off, leaving behind a sophisticated, layered taste profile that elevates the entire casserole.

Step 4. Mix Cooked Noodles in

After draining the egg noodles and ensuring they're perfectly al dente, you'll gently fold them into the rich, bubbling chicken and Marsala mixture.

Use a large wooden spoon or spatula to carefully incorporate the noodles, making sure each strand gets evenly coated with the creamy sauce. The key is to stir gently, preventing the delicate noodles from breaking or becoming mushy.

• Distribute noodles uniformly throughout the skillet
• Ensure even sauce coverage
• Aim for a balanced distribution of chicken, mushrooms, and noodles

Once mixed, immediately transfer the entire combination to your prepared 9×13 baking dish.

Press down slightly with your spatula to create an even layer, allowing the noodles to nestle into the sauce, promising a harmonious bite in every serving.

Step 5. Transfer to Baking Dish

While your skillet bubbles with the rich Marsala sauce and perfectly coated noodles, grab your prepared 9×13 baking dish and prepare for the next crucial step of your casserole assembly.

Generously grease the dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking, ensuring an easy cleanup later.

Carefully transfer the entire mixture from the skillet, spreading it evenly across the baking dish with a large spoon or spatula.

Use gentle motions to distribute the chicken, mushrooms, and noodles, creating a uniform layer that'll promote consistent cooking.

Press down slightly to compact the ingredients, allowing the sauce to settle between the noodles and chicken pieces.

The dish should look inviting, with sauce peeking through the layers, promising a delicious meal that's ready to be transformed in the oven.

Final Thoughts

Should you be searching for a crowd-pleasing meal that combines classic Italian-American flavors with weeknight convenience, this Chicken Marsala Casserole delivers a deliciously satisfying solution.

You'll find this dish versatile enough for family dinners yet impressive for casual entertaining.

The beauty of this casserole lies in its make-ahead potential and adaptability. You can prep it the night before, refrigerate, and bake when ready.

Don't be afraid to personalize the recipe by adding herbs like thyme or parsley, or experimenting with different mushroom varieties. A sprinkle of fresh parmesan before serving can elevate the dish's complexity.

Pro tip: Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the sauce to thicken and flavors to meld perfectly.

Enjoy your culinary creation!