Chicken Marsala Casserole is a classic Italian-American dish turned cozy casserole. Filled with tender chicken and earthy brown rice and mushrooms bathed in a cream sauce glittering with Marsala wine, this casserole brings multiple layers of flavors together in a simple, satisfying way. Easy enough for weeknight dinners, special enough for a date night at home, this recipe uses the ingredients most commonly found in classic Chicken Marsala and uses them in a way you and your family will love, without requiring too much effort on your part to make it. It is creamy and rich, yet a little fancy.

Why This Chicken Marsala Casserole Is Amazing:

By Category: This Chicken Marsala Casserole is flavor-packed, but also friendly on time a perfect recipe to keep under your belt:

Rich & Creamy: Thanks to the Marsala wine, it has a unique sweetness that marries just so with the creamy sauce.

One-Dish Wonder: So easy to assemble and pop in the oven, it calls for minimal cleanup and has everything you need in oné pan.

Hearty and Healthy: Full of protein, fiber, and nutrients from lean chicken, brown rice, and mushrooms, this casserole is filling each bite.

Crowd-Pleasing: Ideal for potlucks or family dinners, where everyone can dig in for a generous, flavor-packed portion.

Versatile: These are easy to modify with the addition of gluten-free elements, different proteins, or extra veggies.

Key Ingredients:

Here’s the lowdown on each ingredient and how it helps contribute to this delicious Chicken Marsala Casserole:

Butter and Olive Oil: Used together to deepen flavors; butter builds richness, olive oil prevents burning.

Onion: Adds a mild sweetness to balance the richness of the earthiness of the mushrooms.

Garlic: Boosts the flavor with aromatic complexity and subtle heat.

Mushrooms: The star vegetable in this dish, the mushrooms provide an earthy, umami flavor that works so well with Marsala wine. White button or cremini mushrooms are great, but portobello lends a heartier flavor.

Flour: Provide the base of the thickness for the sauce and give it a creamy sauce.

Marsala Wine: Succulent and rich, this slightly syrupy wine is what ultimately brings the renowned flavors of the dish. You could substitute white wine, if necessary, but it will slightly change the flavor.

Fat-Free Half & Half Adds creaminess without the weight. For a thicker sauce, opt for regular half & half and even heavy cream.

Chicken Broth: Helps to create the base of the sauce, lending it a savory depth and assisting in cooking the rice as it bakes.

Brown rice: A filling base for the casserole and source of fiber. You can also substitute for white rice, although that might decrease the baking time.

Cooked Chicken: Shredded or Cubed чтобы добавить protein and texture. For convenience, rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken works too.

Fresh Parsley: Preserves a fresh, herbaceous note that elevates the dish.

Parmesan Cheese: For nutty, savory flavor at the end of the casserole, and a touch of golden crust on top.

Full list of ingredients with amounts and instructions is in the recipe card at the bottom of the post

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Instructions:

Preheat the Oven

Preheat: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C)

Grease the Casserole Dish: To avoid the cheesy goodness sticking and for easier cleanup.

Prepare the Sauce

Melt butter and oil: Place butter and olive oil in a large skillet and melt over medium-high heat.

Cook Vegetables: Stir in chopped onions and sliced mushrooms and you want to cook these for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir every now and then so that they cook evenly.

Minced Garlic: Add to then salt and pep and add garlic and cook for 1 minute until smells good.

Add Flour: Sprinkle flour over the mixture, and stir, cooking for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.

Add Liquids

Add Wine: Add the Marsala (or white) wine, sprinkling it all over the chicken as you pour, and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, until slightly thickened.

Add Half & Half: Whisk in fat-free half & half, whisking continuously for approximately 2 minutes.

Add Broth: Stir in the chicken broth, then add more broth. Allow the sauce to warm and reduce for another 2-3 minutes.

Assemble the Casserole

Layer Rice: Arrange raw brown rice at the bottom of the casserole dish.

Add Chicken: Top rice with chopped cooked chicken.

Pour Sauce: Pour on the mushroom and sauce mixture over the chicken and rice.

Twist of Parsley: Add a little parsley at the top for flavor as well as extra color.

Bake the Casserole

Cover and Bake: Cover the casserole tightly with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or so, until the rice is tender and the casserole is bubbly.

Test If Done: If rice isn’t all the way cooked after 45 minutes, raise oven temp to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and bake until rice is tender.

Finishing Touches

Cover with Cheese: After the rice is cooking, remove the lid. Evenly sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top.

Melt Cheese: Put the casserole back into the oven for another 5 minutes, until the cheese melts and browns.

Serve

Let It Rest: Take it out of the oven, and allow the casserole to sit for a few minutes, which will help the flavors to meld.

And Serve: Place ladles full on plates & lap up this hearty, creamy, savory Chicken Marsala Casserole.

Serving Suggestions:

This casserole goes really well with a few easy side dishes for a complete, balanced meal:

Green Salad: A crisp salad (arugula, spinach or mixed greens) cuts the richness of the casserole.

Breather: Serve with warm garlic bread or crusty baguette slices for dipping.

Steamed Vegetables: Broccoli, green beans or asparagus work well with the creamy flavors.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips:

Got leftovers? Here’s how to put this casserole away and have it later:

Refrigerator: Store in airtight container for 3-4 days.

Freezing : This casserole freezes beautifully! Allow it to cool completely, then freeze it in a freezable container for up to three months. Defrost in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheat: In the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed, or microwave individual portions. If the casserole looks dry, add a splash of chicken broth.

Alternatives on Chicken Marsala Casserole:

This recipe is versatile! Here are a few simple steps to make it your own:

Gluten Free: Use a gluten free flour blend for the sauce, and be sure your chicken broth is gluten free.

Vegetarian: Substitute the chicken with cooked chickpeas or white beans and use a vegetable broth.

Extra Veggies: Toss in a handful of spinach or diced bell peppers for pops of color and nutrition.

Cheesy Turn: Add mozzarella or Gruyère on top for an even cheesier finish.

Conclusion:

This Chicken Marsala Casserole takes the elegance of a classic Italian dish and turns it into a comforting — and easy! — one-dish meal that’s bound to become a family favorite. Each one provides a perfect combination of creamy sauce, tender chicken and savory mushrooms, with a Marsala richness that’s difficult to resist. Serve this fresh out of the oven, or make it ahead for a meal any night of the week!