Don't know what to serve with chicken marsala tonight for dinner? Don't worry, I've got you covered! There's 25 easy, delicious side dishes listed down below that'll take the stress out of meal planning and leave you with a balanced meal the whole family will enjoy.
Jump to:
- What is Chicken Marsala?
- WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN MARSALA:
- Egg Noodles
- Rice
- Handmade Pasta
- Gluten Free Pasta
- Zucchini Noodles
- Spaghetti Squash
- Risotto
- Mashed Potatoes
- Roasted Potatoes
- Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Baked Potato
- Homemade Bread
- Crescent Rolls
- Garlic Bread
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Roasted Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Brussels Sprouts
- Garden Salad
- Kale Salad
- Caprese Salad
- Cauliflower Rice
- Mashed Cauliflower
- Spinach
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A simple recipe, chicken marsala really only requires 3 ingredients- chicken, mushrooms, and a marsala sauce. It's a delicious meal that, while good by itself, is even better with some complimentary side dishes.
This classic dish is traditionally served with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta for the epitome of comfort food. However, maybe you're in the mood to lighten it up a bit with a salad or roasted vegetables. Whatever you're craving, I'm sure there's an option for you down below! Go ahead and check out my 25 favorite sides for what to serve with chicken marsala.
What is Chicken Marsala?
Chicken marsala is an Italian-American fusion dish that has a rich sauce and caramelized mushrooms. It's made with breaded chicken breasts that are pan fried until crispy and golden brown, then smothered in a thick, rich marsala wine sauce with savory mushrooms. The sauce is made with marsala wine and has a fairly strong umami flavor, particularly because of the amount of mushrooms and wine in the recipe.
The recipe is traditionally a heavier meal made with lots of oil, breading, and heavy cream, but when I make mine, I try and lighten it up. While every bit as delicious as the traditional recipe, my chicken marsala is dairy free, made with baked chicken, and uses minimal oil. It's ready in under 30 minutes and is so satisfying, you won't know that it's healthier.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN MARSALA:
Egg Noodles
We're starting off the list with the one my mom always served my family. Egg noodles make a great option for chicken marsala because the noodles are stronger and hold up well under the thick, creamy sauce. You can serve them plain or with a little butter and seasoning for more flavor.
Rice
Onto rice! There's many different ways to prepare this versatile ingredient. You could make:
Once it's cooked add in a little fresh squeezed lemon juice, parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs for a light, yet filling, recipe.
Or maybe you're more into Jasmine rice:
Mix in a small amount of garlic salt and parmesan cheese for a simple, but satisfying side dish that would pair perfectly with the nutty flavor of the marsala sauce
Finally, Basmati rice:
Basmati is firmer and drier than jasmine rice, but still delicious and holds up well under a thick sauce. Simply stir in some melted butter and salt and pepper for a basic side that's great for kids.
Handmade Pasta
If you've got the time, handmade pasta is the perfect side. It's so much better than store bought, and has much more depth of flavor. Plus, you get the satisfaction of knowing that YOU made pasta from scratch!
While it may take a bit more time, the flavor is worth it and it's surprisingly not too difficult! You only need 4 ingredients, a 30 minute rest time, and 2 minutes to cook up the best homemade pasta.
Gluten Free Pasta
If you're gluten free, first, make sure the chicken cutlets are breaded in a gluten free bread crumb mixture and there's no cross contaminates that could make you sick. Second, any type of gluten free pasta that you like will make a fantastic side. A few of my favorites are Jovial Cassava Flour fusilli, Banza chickpea flour pasta, or Trader Joe's brown rice pasta.
Zucchini Noodles
Another easy (and gluten free!) option, zucchini noodles are a delicious low-carb choice. All you have to do is sautee some garlic and tomatoes in olive oil, toss in your spiralized zucchini and cook till al dente with a slight crunch. You do want to watch these though, because if you overcook the zucchini it'll just be mushy and not appetizing.
Spaghetti Squash
This is one of my favorites! I usually like topping spaghetti squash with homemade meatballs, but I think it would also be another fun, low-carb choice to serve with chicken marsala! Once you roast it, just shred the inside with a fork until it forms long, spaghetti-like, strands. Serve it up and smother it in that rich flavor of the marsala sauce.
Risotto
A classic Italian dish, risotto would be one of the best sides to serve! Cooked low and slow in chicken broth, risotto is one of those impressive dishes that's actually quite easy to make. The method of cooking causes the starch in the rice to release and make a smooth, velvety sauce, which, when paired with the rich chicken marsala, would be the ultimate comfort meal.
You can make a traditional, basic risotto which would be delicious or get a little fancy and add lemon and peas. Either way, it's going to be good!
Mashed Potatoes
Is there anything better that perfectly fluffy, creamy mashed potatoes? You can totally use instant in a pinch, but truly nothing beats homemade, from scratch mashed potatoes. This recipe uses two kinds of potatoes, butter and cream cheese, and fresh ground black pepper to really boost the flavor.
Roasted Potatoes
Another easy, yet delicious side- roasted potatoes with lemon and dill! Crispy little potatoes with a fluffy interior are garnished with bright lemon and fresh dill for a delicious side everyone will love. If you're not a fan of dill, switch it up with a garlic and parmesan variation!
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
My personal favorite, sweet potatoes! I love the bright orange color, tender texture, and sweet flavor you get when this humble vegetable is roasted. Season with some fresh rosemary and olive oil for a simple, yet impressive dish.
Baked Potato
The easiest way to prepare potatoes in my opinion, baked potatoes are always a fan favorite. You can keep them simple with a little pat of butter and salt and pepper, or make them a little special and try these loaded air fryer baked potatoes!
Homemade Bread
A lot easier than you think, homemade bread makes one of the best side dishes. This no knead artisan bread is only 4 ingredients, can be made in under 3 hours, and soaks up that flavorful sauce so well. This may seem like a more time consuming recipe, but most of the time listed is actually spent with the dough rising and the actual work is very minimum. Don't let the fear of homemade bread scare you, it's quite simple and the taste is out of this world.
Crescent Rolls
These are always a family favorite in my house! Crescent rolls were the first food I was put in charge of when I started helping prepare Thanksgiving dinner, and now, I like to serve them whenever I get the chance because it reminds me of that memory! You can use store bought for convenience, or try these 20 minute homemade ones if you've got extra time. Either one is delicious and soaks up all that savory sauce.
Garlic Bread
Homemade garlic bread is 100 times better than store bought, and this simple recipe is also gluten free! It takes less than 15 minutes, can be made vegan, and like I said, tastes SO much better than store bought or frozen.
Green Beans
Now that I've listed all the heavier, more comforting food options for what to serve with chicken marsala, it's time for some veggies! A quick and easy recipe that's one of my favorites is to cook green beans in the air fryer and top with a gluten free, spicy breadcrumb mixture! It takes all of 5 minutes to make, only needs a handful of ingredients, and is so, so yummy!
Peas
Personally, I feel like peas are severely underrated! You typically think of them as mushy and bland, and just bleh, but that's not the case! I really love peas when they're cooked right, and this recipe is done RIGHT. Buttery peas with mushrooms and onions are such a delicious recipe, and they're super easy as well. This particular recipe is ready in less than 15 minutes, only needs 5 ingredients, and has SO much flavor your kids might even want to try!
Roasted Broccoli
Broccoli is my family's go-to vegetable to roast. We make it a few times a week, and it never gets old. A simple seasoning of lemon and red pepper flakes takes this simple veggie from bland to flavorful in just 20 minutes. Or if you're short on time, I suggest popping frozen broccoli into the air fryer for a super yummy and super fast option that's done in 10 minutes!
Asparagus
One of the best springtime vegetables, asparagus is another healthy, easy, delicious side. I love to make mine in the air fryer and finish it off with a balsamic glaze for a 5 minute dish the whole family is a fan of.
If you don't have an air fryer, oven roasted asparagus is still quick, healthy, and very yummy.
Brussels Sprouts
This is another veggie that people tend to overlook, but I think brussels sprouts are so tasty! Gone are the days of boiling or steaming sprouts, now we're air frying them! By using the air fryer, you get crispy brussels sprouts with a ton of flavor, and they only take 15 minutes. You can keep the seasoning simple with just olive oil, salt, and pepper, or try experimenting a bit and getting fancy with garlic, balsamic vinegar and soy sauce!
Garden Salad
A popular choice in my family, a nice green salad is another fresh option. I like to make mine with romaine lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and carrots finished off with a balsamic vinaigrette for a lighter side dish to balance out a heavier main course.
Kale Salad
This kale salad takes a classic green salad and turns the dial up to eleven on it. Hearty kale mixes red cabbage, candied almonds, and dried blueberries with the most amazing, homemade apple cider vinaigrette for a new spin of salad. While it may sound fancy, it truly is such a simple recipe and can be prepared in just 10 minutes.
Kale is a popular Italian green, so why not serve it with a popular Italian- American dish!
Caprese Salad
Another classic Italian side dish. caprese salad is a fresh option to compliment the rich chicken marsala sauce. I make mine with creamy burrata cheese, but you could also pair mozzarella cheese with the juicy, sweet red tomatoes and fresh basil.
Cauliflower Rice
A garlic herb cauliflower rice is a great option for those looking for a low-carb recipe. It's easy, healthy, and quicker to cook than regular rice. This particular recipe has tons of fresh herbs, bright lemon juice, crunchy almonds, and lots of garlic for the most flavor.
Mashed Cauliflower
Mashed cauliflower is the lighter, low carb version of mashed potatoes that's still just as delicious. Cauliflower is cooked till soft, then blended with some butter, seasonings, and a little sour cream to trick you into thinking you're eating creamy mashed potatoes. You may be a bit skeptical at first, but trust me, you'll fall in love with mashed cauliflower once you try this recipe.
Spinach
Chock full of nutrients, spinach is a great choice to serve with a heavier main dish. You can make it multiple ways, but my two favorites are sauteed, and creamed.
Sauteed spinach with tomatoes is a fantastic, easy, quick recipe. You only need a few pantry staple ingredients and 20 minutes for this healthy side.
My personal favorite way to eat spinach is creamed spinach! While they do sell it frozen, (perfect for busy nights!) it truly is so much better homemade. This Morton's Steakhouse copycat recipe is the best out there. Made with butter, garlic, and three kinds of cheese- THIS is one of the best choices to serve with chicken marsala.
There you go, now you know what to serve with chicken marsala! Any one of these 25 easy side dishes would be the perfect compliment to that rich, delicious dish. Whether you want to go full comfort meal or keep it lighter, I've got all the options for you.
If you make any of these dishes, be sure to leave a comment and rating on the recipe. Food bloggers work very hard to give you their very best, and a little comment goes a long way.
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