Not sure what to serve with chicken marsala? Check out this collection of side dish ideas to find the perfect pairing for a mouthwatering meal the whole family will love.
Chicken marsala is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender, pan-fried chicken breasts and sauteed mushrooms in a savory marsala wine sauce.
If it sounds like a party for the taste buds, it is.
Chicken marsala has long been a favorite of mine since childhood when my dad would make it on special occasions.
It was also my go-to choice when dining out at Italian restaurants when I wasn’t in the mood for a red sauce-coated pasta dish.
One of our favorite recipes for making it at home is this 30-minute Chicken Marsala from Simply Recipes.
This entree is traditionally served with long, flat pasta, but if you want to try new chicken marsala sides, we have a few different ways to enjoy it!
Below, we’ve compiled a list of some satisfying alternatives to spruce up your dinner plate.
Best Side Dishes for Chicken Marsala
1
Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto
This creamy risotto with sweet, tender butternut squash is the perfect accompaniment to a plate of savory chicken marsala.
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2
Rachael Hartley Nutrition
Citrus and Arugula Salad
Almonds are one of the world's best foods, but they can be a bit dry in salads. Instead, try the buttery Marcona almonds from Spain with a sweet taste and delicate texture. They are the perfect match for the fennel-infused dressing, lavish citrus slices, and peppery arugula.
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3
Hurry The Food Up
Garlicky Oven-Roasted Broccoli and Cauliflower
Don't be fooled by this simple combo of two popular veggies. You're about to experience what happens when you combine sundried tomatoes, curry powder, fresh garlic, and shredded cheese. Hint: it could be one of your new personal favorites!
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4
iFoodReal
Roasted Mini Peppers
These adorable little sweet peppers will look as festive as holiday lightbulbs when you pull them out of the oven. Then, the aroma of the fresh basil and roasted garlic will fill your kitchen and trail over smugly to your plate of creamy chicken marsala to serve as the perfect side.
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5
The Helpful GF
Creamy Vegetable Risotto
This simple but delectable arborio rice recipe omits the butter and cheese, but you won't even miss it! After you've gently stirred up a steaming pot of risotto, you'll saute the veggies separately. This step keeps the texture of the veggies and adds gorgeous color and a nice contrast to the plain rice.
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6
Kitchen Sanctuary
Garlic Green Beans with Parmesan
Green beans are the 'green fries' of the veggie world. Kids love it because it's fun to eat and has a neutral taste. This awesome recipe uses fresh garlic, a squeeze of lemon, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Because what are fries without cheese?!
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7
Go Healthy Ever After
Easy Red Pesto Pasta with Chili Pesto
This recipe offers useful tips on how to get the perfect al dente pasta but wait until you try the red chili pesto! It's made with incredibly healthy ingredients, roasted in the oven, and blended in the food processor with chili peppers for a delightful kick.
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8
Champagne and Coconuts
Italian Artichoke Salad with Tomato and Mozzarella
The best thing about this unusual salad is that you don't need to trim fresh, prickly artichokes here – canned or frozen varieties roast up beautifully in under 30 minutes. Combine with plenty of red onion, fresh mozzarella cheese, and cherry tomatoes for a great side dish.
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9
Salt & Lavender
Simple Sauteed Leeks
Forget about using these cousins of onions as a seasoning for your pot of soup or stew. Leeks have earned their right to be a key ingredient, as proved by this delicious and simple side dish. But be careful not to overcook them to keep the best texture and taste.
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10
Garlic and Zest
Mashed Cauliflower with Roasted Garlic
Here's a lighter, more wholesome version of mashed potatoes to soak up that yummy marsala sauce, using a cauliflower base. And if you haven't done it before, you'll be fascinated by the transformation of a whole roasted garlic into a milder, nutty flavor.
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11
A Cedar Spoon
Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
Roasted vegetables are the epitome of healthy eating and are delicious as well. The natural sugars, especially in these fresh peppers, carrots and onions, caramelize for a hearty sweetness, but spices and herbs bring out more of the rich flavor.
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12
A Pinch of Healthy
Italian Chopped Salad
This is a versatile Italian side dish that's perfect for your next dinner party. Yes, you will be chopping a lot of items, but each is carefully chosen for maximum crunch, sensational flavor, and visual appeal.
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13
Yellowthyme
Baked Garlic Parmesan Hasselback Potatoes
If you are craving a cheesy baked potato but want something fancier, this is a great option. The herbs and parmesan cheese topping add plenty of flavor to the simple potatoes, but you can also add a good melting cheese and broil for a few minutes.
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14
The Feathered Nester
Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
Are you tired of soggy, over-cooked rice? Switch to the Instant Pot! It's a faster way to get fluffy rice every time. Make sure to stick to the 1:1 water-to-rice ratio and rinse the rice thoroughly to remove extra starch.
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15
Recipe This
Air Fryer Pull Apart Bread Rolls
These freshly-made bread rolls are a joy to make, especially if you have two important tools: a bread maker and an air fryer. You can either keep them smooshed together in your air fryer to get fluffy, pull-apart pieces or arrange them loosely to get smoother rolls.
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16
Savoring Today
Classic Caesar Salad with 2-Minute Creamy Caesar Dressing
Foodies, you may not want anchovies on your pizza, but you'll need them to make this authentic Caesar salad. And if you're hesitant to use a raw egg in this delicious dressing, use substitutes like mayonnaise or Greek yogurt.
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17
foodworthfeed
Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad
This tomato salad goes beyond any caprese salad you've had before and is worth the long oven-roasting time. The unique tomato vinaigrette, combined with the balsamic reduction/glaze at the end, elevates ordinary tomatoes and cheese into an extravagant dish.
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18
Sara’s Tiny Kitchen
Boursin Mashed Potatoes
If you were looking for a good reason to purchase that cute container of Boursin cheese, here it is. It melts easily with butter and milk to make a creamy sauce for your mashed potatoes.
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19
The Delicious Spoon
Garlicky Sauteed Chard
Don't always reach for the same greens – shake things up with a bunch of swiss chard. It's a good idea to cut the greens into small pieces, cooking the thick, white stems first with the garlic. After you add the leafy portions, this easy dish is ready in under 3 minutes.
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20
Holistic Foodie
Fig and Arugula Salad with Ricotta Salata
In this fascinating recipe, you and your guests will indulge in sweet figs, salty prosciutto, crunchy walnuts, spicy arugula, and savory cheese. Ricotta salata is aged longer than regular, soft ricotta cheese to give a saltier, more intense flavor.
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21
Piping Pot Curry
Lemon Parmesan Orzo
This is a simple dish that's comforting and easy to make in your Instant Pot. The orzo pairs excellently with your chicken marsala main course, and you can add different vegetables to vary it next time.
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22
NeighborFood
Air Fryer Asparagus with Garlic Breadcrumbs
This special recipe combines fresh asparagus with homemade bread crumbs and topped with a garlic-butter sauce. The result is tender veggies with chewy, flavorful breadcrumbs in every bite.
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23
I Heart Naptime
Easy Oven Baked Sweet Potatoes
So you could toss a few sweet potatoes in the oven and hope for the best, or you could follow these helpful tips to get a mouth-watering side dish without the mess. (I hope you're not still scraping potato juice off your pans from the last time you made sweet potatoes).
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24
Dizzy Busy & Hungry
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Garlic
Brussels sprouts chips?! Just one of the delicious bonuses of this lovely recipe. Salt, paprika, and garlic are all you need to make a fabulous seasoning for this tasty vegetable. Don't crowd the sprouts on the pan, so they have a chance to get crispy.
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25
The Forked Spoon
Roasted Zucchini with Parmesan
The parmesan cheese gives these zucchini medallions a crispy crust on top, and they'll be golden brown in less than 10 minutes. It's a robust, melt-in-your-mouth side dish that's easy to make.
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26
Foxes Love Lemons
Garlic Honey Roasted Carrots
If your carrots are always being left behind in the produce drawer, this recipe is about to change everything. Even though there's a honey glaze, there's a decent amount of garlic to keep it savory and sublime.
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27
Two Healthy Kitchens
Easy Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
You'll love all the cooking tips for these tasty taters. You can use larger red potatoes but cut them all into 1-inch pieces. And yes, water does matter – to get that rugged, crispy shell, you want to use dry potatoes.
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28
Dinner at the Zoo
Sauteed Broccolini Recipe
This vibrant vegetable makes a healthy side dish in under 10 minutes. It's a milder version of broccoli, and this recipe gives you plenty of ideas on how to add even more flavor.
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Each of these side dishes is a good match for your chicken cutlets and marsala wine sauce because they’re light and easy to make.
If there’s an ingredient you can’t find, feel free to substitute for another but give it a try and follow the basic principles of the recipe.
So many yummy ideas here, that I’d love making to go along with other main dishes, too! I have zukes in my fridge right now, and the roasted zucchini is calling my name haha! Thanks for all the great inspiration!
Thank you so much, Shelley! So glad you are finding some great ideas here! And thank you for contributing your tasty roasted potatoes! š
Thank you for all the great side dish ideas! Can’t wait to try the creamy vegetable risotto and cherry tomato Caprese salad!