Chicken Marsala Casserole
This Chicken Marsala Casserole is a comforting and easy-to-make dinner that transforms the classic Chicken Marsala into a hearty, family-friendly bake. It features tender chicken breasts, earthy mushrooms, a rich Marsala wine cream sauce, and a gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheese topping. Perfect for busy weeknights or make-ahead meals, this casserole combines gourmet flavors with convenience and minimal cleanup.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Protein
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 8 oz cremini or white button mushrooms, sliced
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids
- 1 cup Marsala wine
- 1 cup chicken broth (gluten-free if needed)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
Dairy & Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fats & Oils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
Herbs & Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or thyme, chopped for garnish
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Prep and Sauté the Chicken: Season the boneless, skinless chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat and brown the chicken until golden on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics and Mushrooms: In the same pan, add the butter and melt over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Stir in the sliced mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture and begin to brown, about 5-7 minutes.
- Create the Marsala Sauce: Pour in the Marsala wine and chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Allow the mixture to simmer and reduce slightly, about 5 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half and simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-4 minutes. Avoid boiling to prevent curdling.
- Assemble the Casserole: Place the browned chicken breasts in a greased casserole dish. Pour the Marsala mushroom sauce evenly over the chicken. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese generously over the top.
- Bake Until Bubbling and Golden: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the casserole for 25–30 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the layers to set.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken to ensure even cooking and retain juiciness.
- Do not skip deglazing the pan; it adds rich, developed flavor to the sauce.
- Simmer the sauce gently to keep it smooth and prevent the cream from curdling.
- Choose good-quality Marsala wine for authentic flavor depth.
- Allow the casserole to rest before serving for better slicing and layered texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: Chicken Marsala, casserole, easy dinner, Marsala wine sauce, creamy chicken dish, mushroom casserole, family-friendly, make-ahead, comfort food