Quick Answer: What to Serve with Chicken Marsala?
The most luscious side dishes to serve with Chicken Marsala are- White Rice, Baked Sweet Potatoes, Risotto, Homemade Pasta, Broccoli Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Egg Noodles, Roasted Asparagus, Caprese Salad, French Bread, Five-bean Salad, Polenta, Sautéed Spinach, Lemon Jasmine Rice, Parmesan Garlic Noodles, Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots, Greens and Pancetta, Cheesy Garlic Bread, Veggie Orzo Soup and Almond Noodles.
In this post, we are going to talk about the most luscious and healthy side dishes that you can pair with this all-time favourite family meal, Chicken Marsala.
I have personally tried my hand at these recipes and these healthy and complementing sides are sure to fill your hearts to the brim with deliciousness.
Let’s dive right in.
1. White Rice
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 129
Total preparation time– 20 min
Simple and plain white rice is an Asian staple and with its neutral taste, it can make the creamy and savory sauce in the Chicken Marsala taste like heaven!
Perfectly steamed white rice can round up just about any meal- be it spicy, saucy or meaty.
It is pretty easy to get together and when everything else fails, it is what a choosy eater will pick.
The usual water to rice ratio is 2 cups water to 1 cup rice.
However, it can be difficult for many to cook perfectly steamed white rice as they might end up mushy.
Don’t fret, follow the step-by-step recipe and you will have your delish white rice ready in no time!
Check out this detailed recipe by Tasty:
2. Baked Sweet Potatoes
Total calories (per 100 gm – 90
Total preparation time– 45 min
No matter what the main dish, potatoes are the best comfort sides.
Infusing sweet potatoes in your meal is both healthy and scrumptious.
Although they are absolutely versatile, baking them in the oven is the easiest way to prepare them.
Alternatively, you can make them in the air-fryer as well.
A dollop of butter, salt and pepper are all you need to get your hands on this recipe.
If you want to go for a stuffing, you can always try bbq chicken!
Check how to bake sweet potatoes perfectly:
3. Risotto
Total calories (per 100 gm)-174
Total preparation time– 25 min
Chicken Marsala is an Italian special, so it’s only fitting to pair it with an Italian side dish.
Ultra-creamy and brimming with flavor, Risotto is a colorful rice recipe made from short-grained rice, butter, parmesan cheese, and parsley.
Once you master the traditional risotto recipe, you can also try different variations using your favourite ingredients.
Our top recommendations are Mushroom Risotto and Chicken Risotto.
Ensure to remember one thing- keep stirring.
It not only helps the rice release starch as it cooks which ultimately makes the dish creamy but also prevents that the rice stick to the bottom of the pan.
Here’s a quick recipe by Tasty:
4. Homemade Pasta
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 131
Total preparation time– 60 min
Trust me when I say that homemade pasta is more delightful and decadent than the store-bought one.
With its interesting texture, the taste of the savory Marsala sauce is enhanced by leaps and bounds!
This recipe is not just fun but also surprisingly simple to make.
Don’t have a pasta maker?
Make it in a stand mixer, food processor or by hand using a rolling pin instead!
Here’s how Tasty makes the yummiest homemade pasta:
5. Broccoli Salad
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 206
Total preparation time– 20 min
Wondering which salad to serve with Chicken Marsala?
Give this fresh broccoli salad a try!
Packed with fresh broccoli, onion, mozzarella cheese, bacon, apple cider vinegar, dill and mayonnaise; the salad balances the fiery taste of Marsala efficiently.
Plus, it comes with hundreds of variations- throw in some almonds for a rich nutty flavor or some greek yogurt to make it all the more creamy.
You can also add some chopped carrots to get more veggies in the mix!
Check out this quick and refreshing salad recipe:
6. Mashed Potatoes
Total calories (per 100 gm)-88
Total preparation time– 30 min
Mashed potatoes are undoubtedly everybody’s favourite comfort food.
It is the perfect accompaniment to your Chicken Marsala for the sauce’s consistency matches just right with the fluffy and tender texture of mashed potatoes.
Moreover, this recipe is super simple and homely. It uses just potatoes, butter, milk, salt, pepper and seasonings.
The potatoes are cooked till soft and are then strained and mashed. Butter, milk, salt and pepper are then added to the mixture.
You can also add a bit of garlic if you fancy a light pungent flavor.
Here’s how Tasty makes the creamiest mashed potatoes:
7. Egg Noodles
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 138
Total preparation time– 20 min
Spicy and tangy, Egg noodles pair perfectly with Chicken Marsala.
They pack a punch of amazing sauces and vegetables and come together in less than 30 minutes.
Plus, it is a make-ahead recipe!
Once cooked, add in some soya sauce and chili sauce and give it a quick toss.
Sprinkle some black pepper powder to end and your irresistible noodles are ready!
Here’s an easy recipe by The Spice Eats:
8. Roasted Asparagus
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 35
Total preparation time– 15 min
Asparagus is a rich vegetable that tastes amazing with Chicken.
Crispy and flavorful, the recipe is simple to throw together and is extremely versatile.
You can either keep the stalks simple or coat them with some lemon, mint, chili flakes or Parmesan for a fun twist.
Check out this simple recipe by The Stay At Home Chef:
9. Caprese Salad
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 177
Total preparation time- 20 min
A refreshing, fleshy and vivid Caprese salad is not only healthy but also fuss-free to put together.
Loaded with the goodness of mozzarella, succulent tomatoes, and a generous amount of basil leaves; the salad is bursting with flavor and interesting textures.
Drizzle the mix in a balsamic glaze for an extra tangy sensation.
Additionally, try topping it with toasted pine nuts for a crunchy texture.
Do check out this awesome recipe with a balsamic glaze by Natashas Kitchen:
10. French Bread
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 240
Total preparation time– 90 min
A pair of Bread and Chicken can never really go wrong!
French bread is crispy and golden on the outside and tender and chewy on the inside.
To prepare it, make the dough and knead until it becomes soft and non-sticky.
Coat generously with olive oil and let it rest.
Then cut it in half and shape it in a cylinder.
Let it rise for some time and then make diagonal cuts across.
Bake for 20 minutes and top it with butter, honey or jam.
Here’s an easy no-knead recipe by
Bincy Chris:
11. Five-bean Salad
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 124
Total preparation time– 25 min
Salads just truly pair well with everything but this five-bean salad is guaranteed to impress everyone.
Flavored with a mustard dressing, it gets ready in less than 30 minutes and can be prepared in multiple different ways.
The combination of black, red kidney, cannellini, garbanzo and green beans remains unbeatable!
Extra tip- If you want to add some crunch into your salad, throw in a few chopped celery stalks.
Go check out this super quick recipe:
12. Polenta
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 370
Total preparation time– 30 min
A cheesy and corny polenta is a great healthy accompaniment to your Marsala.
An Italian porridge, it is made of cornmeal and topped with veggies, cheese, herbs, or a flavorful sauce.
If you want to make your polenta extra creamy, pulse the cornmeal in the blender before cooking so that the granules are not that coarse.
Here’s how you can make that perfect polenta:
13. Sautéed Spinach
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 40
Total preparation time– 10 mins
Spinach is another delish and nutritious side to pair with Chicken Marsala.
To prepare, drain the spinach leaves and sauté the garlic in olive oil.
Add the spinach leaves and cook for a few minutes.
Once done, drain the excess liquid, top it with salt or parmesan cheese and serve warm.
Here’s an easy sautéed spinach and garlic recipe for you:
14. Lemon Jasmine Rice
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 170
Total preparation time– 25 min
Who said rice always has to be plain?
Why not opt for Citrus Jasmine Rice and give it a notch?
This lemon rice does a good job of fitting into any dinner and particularly with Chicken Marsala, it works like a charm!
The recipe is pretty much like cooking regular white rice, but comes with a juiced lemon effervescence.
Apart from that, you can also add the zest of the rind by grating the citrus rind allowing flavorful oils to release into the mix.
15. Parmesan Garlic Noodles
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 339
Total preparation time– 20 min
Noodles can be a very unique, versatile and clever accompaniment to your Marsala.
These fuss-free parmesan garlic noodles are the ideal comfort food!
Made with just 7 ingredients including olive oil, garlic, parmesan cheese, butter, broth and cream they come together in just 20 minutes.
Remember not to boil the pasta at a rapid boil as it might change it.
Gently simmer the noodles giving occasional stirs to break up the noodles.
Check out this one-pot recipe by Damn Delicious:
16. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 133
Total preparation time– 30 min
A side of crispy and extra-crunchy garlic parmesan roasted carrots pulls off in less than 30 minutes and is a go-to snack for just about any gathering.
This hearty and nutritious side dish only requires olive oil, parmesan cheese, minced garlic and panko breadcrumbs.
Arrange the carrots on a baking sheet and sauté the garlic in melted butter.
Finish by throwing in your preferred seasoning plus breadcrumbs.
Coat the carrots with the mixture generously along with parmesan.
Bake for about 20 minutes or until tender and serve with parsley.
Check out a super quick recipe here:
17. Greens and Pancetta
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 324
Total preparation time– 30 min
Looking for a healthy and effortless side?
Give this greens with pancetta side a try!
To get this healthy and hearty mix together, combine your preferred greens and cook lightly in a skillet.
Fry the pancetta and drain it. Alongside, sauté shallots and some nuts.
Throw in the pancetta bits together with some vinegar and coat the cooked greens with the mixture.
Check out this recipe by Laura in the Kitchen:
18. Cheesy Garlic Bread
Total calories (per 100 gm)-350
Total preparation time– 20 min
A nice cheesy garlic bread is everybody’s favourite, isn’t it?
Super simple to make and downright delicious, it makes a great pairing with Chicken Marsala and soaks up all the goodness of that sauce!
There are multiple methods and fun twists to the recipe.
The easiest however is rubbing a clove of garlic over toasted slices of bread, and coating it liberally with olive oil and some butter.
Here’s how you can make the best ever garlic bread:
19. Veggie Orzo Soup
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 170
Total preparation time– 30 min
Yet another Italian delight, orzo soup is guaranteed to complement your Marsala incredibly and enhance its taste by leaps and bounds.
This vegetable soup is quick and easy to prepare being a one-pot recipe!
Melt some butter on a pot and sauté the onion.
Throw in some garlic, beets and celery and cook for a few minutes.
Then, toss in veggie stock, tomatoes, orzo, oregano and rosemary and then put it to simmer for 8-10 minutes until the veggies are tender.
Garnish with spinach and season with salt and black pepper.
Check out this amazing recipe by The Foodie:
20. Almond Noodles
Total calories (per 100 gm)– 136
Total preparation time– 50 min
Talking about noodles, almond noodles can be another excellent choice to give your Marsala meal a notch.
Light and delish, they are made in less than 60 minutes and the deliciousness of butter makes it all the more delightful.
This recipe is made from water and brown rice flour.
Alternatively, you can use regular pasta, just make sure to adjust the amount of liquid.
Check out a spicy almond rice noodles recipe here:
FAQs
To reheat cooked rice, place it in a glass or a plastic bowl and drizzle some water on the top, then wrap it with a damp paper towel before heating and the rice will be as fresh as new.
Risotto is at its best when fresh however, if you have some leftover, transfer it in an airtight container and keep it for no longer than 3 days.
Short-grained Arborio rice is traditional, but you can also use long-grain white rice; but note that the end result might not be that creamy.
It is entirely your choice. If rushed for time, leave their skins on and just scrub them clean. Nevertheless, we prefer the taste of peeled carrots above all, in this garlic parmesan roasted carrots recipe.
There is a huge wine selection that pairs well with Chicken Marsala and ensures a balanced taste.
If you fancy reds, go for Zinfandel and Cabernet and for whites, try Chenin blanc or Viognier.
Bottom Line
Hope this wholesome guide on what to serve with Chicken Marsala has been helpful for you.
These incredibly luscious sides can never go wrong with the savory and subtle flavor of your Marsala.
Also, if you know other recipes that pair well with Chicken Marsala, do let us know below.
Don’t forget to share these appetizing side dish recipes with your near and dear ones!