In case you were wondering if my affection can be bought with Italian food, the answer is absolutely. Suggested form of bribery: Crock Pot Chicken Marsala.
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Traditional stovetop Chicken Marsala is an Italian-American dish that has numerous iterations throughout Italy and the U.S. It consists of juicy seared chicken breasts in a creamy Marsala wine sauce made with garlic, shallots, and mushrooms.
As that ingredient line up might lead you to suspect, it tastes heavenly.
{FYI: Marsala is a fortified wine made in Sicily, often used for cooking. It’s rich and nutty, and you can find it at almost any grocery store that sells alcohol or at liquor stores.}
My first taste of chicken Marsala was in high school, when my mom’s then-boyfriend (now husband of 12+ years) offered to cook dinner for her and her three angsty teenage daughters. I still feel for him. We were not a cordial bunch.
What I lacked in warmth, I made up for in appetite. It turns out that no matter how skeptical you might be of the guy dating your mom, if he feeds you chicken Marsala, it’s going to be impossible not to give him at least one more chance, if for no other reason than the hope he’ll cook you chicken Marsala again.
Today’s crock pot chicken Marsala is in memory of that night (and in honor of my step-dad, who I now happen to adore very much).
It has the classic Italian flavors I remember falling in love with, but it’s lightened up with healthy ingredients (just like my regular Chicken Cacciatore and Chicken Piccata).
Instead of heavy cream, the thickness of the Marsala sauce results from the slow simmering in the crockpot. The slow cooking method also means that this chicken Marsala is easy to make and the clean up is minimal.
I’ve been a fan of using the crockpot to make Italian chicken favorites ever since this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore became a regular on our menu. I love that once I have the ingredients added, the crockpot does the rest of the cooking for me.
More points for ease: Whereas most traditional chicken Marsala recipes dredge the chicken breasts in flour and then pan fry them, this crock pot version uses only a cornstarch slurry and skips the flour entirely.
The slurry helps thicken the sauce further, and it keeps the crock pot chicken Marsala gluten free.
Not only does the slurry approach mean that more people can enjoy this recipe—it saves you the mess of coating the chicken with flour and the extra dredging bowl to wash.
How to Make Crock Pot Chicken Marsala
The secret to the best crock pot chicken Marsala you will ever make is to sear the outsides of the the chicken breasts before adding them to the slow cooker. It’s a small step and the flavor payoff is 100% worth it.
The Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts. The chicken becomes deliciously tender and juicy in the slow cooker. Every piece will be coated in the thick, savory sauce. You could also use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe if you prefer. If using chicken thighs, they’ll need a little extra time in the slow cooker. Cook them on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- Aromatics. Shallot and garlic add deep, complex flavors to the sauce.
- Mushrooms. The flavor of the Marsala wine is a perfect complement to the mushrooms. They’ll soak up the sauce, become incredibly flavorful, and give the dish more complexity.
- Marsala Wine. Deeply-flavored and exceptional when paired with the other ingredients in this recipe. Use a dry Marsala wine here (the kind that contains alcohol), not a cooking wine, which will not have the same flavorful results.
- Cornstarch. Used to create a cornstarch slurry that will help thicken the sauce.
The Directions
- Season and sear both sides of the chicken breasts until browned. Add chicken to the slow cooker.
- Saute the shallot and garlic.
- Add the Marsala wine, and let it simmer for a few minutes.
- Place the mushrooms on top of the chicken.
- Add the Marsala sauce, then cover and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Remove the chicken once it’s done.
- Prepare the cornstarch slurry, and add it to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH until the sauce is thickened. Add the chicken back to the sauce. Serve with fresh herbs and an extra spoonful of sauce. ENJOY!
What Can I Substitute for Marsala Wine
- I do not recommend substituting anything for the Marsala wine if at all possible. The flavors are unique, and it’s well worth it to use the real thing. The name, afterall, is chicken Marsala!
- For those who really need a substitute, I did find a homemade option online **not tested** that says you can use 1/4 cup grape juice and 1 teaspoon brandy for every 1/4 cup Marsala wine. If you’ve tried this substitution (or any others), please let me know how it went in the comments below.
- While the flavor will be different than Marsala wine, a reader also reported good results with using Sauvignon Blanc instead.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Chicken Marsala
- Salad. This Caesar Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Crispy Chickpea Croutons would be fresh and lovely as a side.
- Vegetables. Pair your chicken Marsala with a side of healthy and delicious Smashed Brussels Sprouts.
- Pasta. A simple bed of whole wheat pasta noodles or zucchini noodles would be perfect paired with this recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
- To Make Ahead. Chop your vegetables up to 1 day in advance, and store them in the refrigerator.
- To Store. Place leftover chicken in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the sauce separately.
- To Reheat. Gently rewarm chicken in a large skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave. When I reheat chicken, I like to shred or cut it into smaller pieces first to help it heat evenly. Reheat the sauce gently on the stove.
- To Freeze. Store chicken Marsala in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months, either with or separate from the sauce. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Healthy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
- Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie
- Crock Pot Mexican Chicken
- Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes
- Crock Pot Chicken and Rice
- Crock Pot BBQ Chicken
Recommended Tools to Make This Recipe
- Slow Cooker. Great for this recipe and all my other slow cooker recipes.
- Saute Pan. This one will last a lifetime.
- Whisk. This small whisk is ideal for combining ingredients without making a mess.
Cozy Italian flavors. Healthy ingredients. Minimal dishes. This is what I call the way to my heart!
Crock Pot Chicken Marsala
Video
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts about 3 breasts
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 medium shallot or 1/2 small yellow onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup dry Marsala wine not cooking wine
- 8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water to create a slurry
- For serving: chopped fresh parsley or basil
- For serving: whole wheat pasta zucchini noodles, or simply a big loaf of crusty bread
Instructions
- Lightly coat a large slow cooker with nonstick spray. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium high. Season both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, add the chicken in a single layer. Cook on the first side for 3 to 4 minutes, until browned, moving the chicken as little as possible so that it gets a nice sear. Flip and brown on the other side, about 2 additional minutes. It does not need to be cooked all the way through. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker.
- Reduce the skillet heat to medium low. Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil. Add the shallot and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic.
- While the skillet is still warm, pour in the Marsala. Increase the heat to medium and let simmer 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Scatter the mushrooms over the top of the chicken. Pour in the Marsala reduction. Cover and let cook on LOW, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours on low (timing will vary based on your slow cooker model and the size of your chicken breasts). Remove to a plate and cover to keep warm.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water. Pour into the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15 to 20 minutes, until thickened. Return the chicken to the slow cooker and let heat over high for 5 additional minutes to warm through. Serve hot with desired accompaniments, with the sauce spooned over the top and a sprinkle of fresh parsley as desired.
Notes
- TO STORE: Place leftover chicken in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store the sauce separately.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm chicken in a large skillet on the stovetop over medium-low heat. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave. When I reheat chicken, I like to shred or cut it into smaller pieces first to help it heat evenly. Reheat the sauce gently on the stove.
- TO FREEZE: Store chicken Marsala in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months, either with or separate from the sauce. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Photography note: the photos of this recipe show the sauce cooked down for a far more extended period than is necessary (the cooking time got away from me while photographing!). Your sauce might not look as thick as in the photos, but don’t fear; it will still be delicious and is actually closer to how an authentic chicken marsala sauce is meant to be.
Nutrition
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During the current q, Dry Marsala seems impossible to find in any of the stores that offer curbside pickup… (Cribari Marsala is the only Marsala wine that Krogers stocks… I’m fairly certain it’s the sweet type.) Any suggestions for a substitute or do I wait until I can get back into the wine shop?
Mark, while dry is definitely ideal, I’ve made this with a semi-dry that I could actually get at Kroger and we liked it OK (it was *as* good as a true dry marsala, but it was still good). One thing to consider is if you’ll mind having the extra semi-dry leftover. Sorry I can’t give you a 100% clear answer, but I hoipe that helps.
I found dry Marsala! There’s a wine shop in Ann Arbor that is doing curbside pickup. I’m thinking I may dust the chicken breasts in flour before searing them… Thanks for the inspiration!
I hope you enjoy the recipe, Mark!
I got mine at ABC liquors.
This looks amazing! Love the pictures of your layering steps! We’re trying soon!
Thank you for sharing this kind comment, Marta! I hope you love the recipe!
Made this tonight and it was SO good. I couldn’t find Marsala wine at my grocery store (and didn’t want to go looking at other stores), so I Googled swaps and used Sauvignon Blanc. It was delicious!
I’m SO happy that you enjoyed it, Lauren! Thank you for taking the time share this kind review and your swap!
I’m not a mushroom lover so I made it without the mushrooms and the flavor was delicious, but my sauce wasn’t dark like yours is in your pictures. Is it the mushrooms that make the sauce dark?
Hi Denise! The sauce does darken some from the mushrooms. I’m happy you still enjoyed the recipe without them!
This recipe was so simple and delicious. I didn’t have Marsala Wine so I substituted in a Red Table Wine and the flavor was so rich. A big hit with the family!
Elizabeth, I am so so pleased to hear it! Thanks for sharing this kind review and your tweaks. It means a lot to me and is so helpful to others!
This was good and easy, thank you! I added a little extra salt and parmesan cheese for serving, and served over whole wheat pasta.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Jenn! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
This is a good version of Chicken Marsala for the crock-pot. I would have liked the sauce to be a little thicker than it was even with adding more corn starch. Keep an eye on your chicken as mine only took 2 hours to cook. Thanks
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Becky! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
It’s cooking now, I have made this for several years and it’s the only Marsala I eat. Most restaurants use sweet, which I don’t like. To address negative comments. Bland? Adjust your seasoning, maybe you like more S&P or I tend to use Lawy’s season salt for many things that calls for S&P. Sour cream and hot sauce? this is not Mexican food. There is not a Italian restaurant that would add that to a chicken or veal Marsala. The key if you read the recipe is it’s a healthier version with no cream. If the slurry didn’t make it thick enough, make a double batch (I usually do) and that does the trick. Not need to add cream. Overdone and dried out chicken? Did you overcook it in the pan? Recipe clearly states, you are browning (basically searing it) the outside and the chicken will not be cooked through because it cooks in the crockpot for a couple of hours. It also states cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken and varies from crockpot to crockpot. So it’s up to you to keep a eye on the cooking time and when the chicken reaches the proper temp. Because over cooked chicken breast are not enjoyable but it’s not the recipes fault. This recipe rocks! For those who did not enjoy, that’s a shame. But the fault is not with the recipe.
Hi Audrey! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review and feedback!
I made this today and it came out amazing! So easy and such great flavor! Thank you!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Christine! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Delicious and so very easy. I followed the recipe as written and served it over rice. The whole house smelled fantastic and it was a bit hit with the family. Perfect, thank you!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Jean! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Sounds delicious! Going to try this on guests this weekend. If I want more sauce is it a problem to double the sauce ingredients?
Hi Lesli! I haven’t tried this myself, but it should work fine as long as everything fits in your crockpot. I hope you enjoyed it!
This was so yummy! The prep only took me 15 minutes, and then I cooked it for 3 hours. So delicious! (I actually used Marsala cooking wine because it was all I could find) and it still turned out amazing! I paired it with GF noodles and it was the perfect pairing!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Victoria! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I am going to make this recipe today and I only have Marsala cooking wine. I am glad to hear the flavor was still good. I can’t wait to try this.
Hope you enjoy it Noreen!
Can I double this recipe
Hi Kathleen! I haven’t tried doubling this myself, but you could experiment with it as long as everything fits into the crockpot. I hope you enjoy it!
Great recipe and so easy to make! Will definitely make it again and again. I’m so glad that we’re now able to save recipes on your website. Thank you for that! Love your cookbook too!
Whooo hooo! So happy to hear it, thank you!
Made this for my Niece (a new Momma) and her husband. It was super simple, and it smelled divine! I used chicken broth for the cornstarch slurry–only substitution I made. Question: can you use boneless chicken thighs? If so, how long would you recommend for cooking time? Thanks so much for the fabulous recipe.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it! Thank you for sharing this kind review! You can use chicken thighs. Cook them on LOW for 4 to 5 hours or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
This was so easy to make and it was delicious the whole family enjoyed it. I served it with brown rice and a dinner salad.
When looking for the Marsala Wine Dry its by the vinegars in the grocery store. Just an fyi!!
Enjoy!!!!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Michele! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
It turned out good. I had button mushrooms so used those in place of the cremini. It was done at 2 hours. Next time will thicken the sauce in a pot instead of the slow cooker.
Hi Sharon! So glad it turned out good for you! Thank you for this kine review!
I followed this recipe very precisely and my meal didn’t come out good at all. Chicken was way overcooked and the Marsala sauce did not thicken at all, even after 3 tbsp of cornstarch. Like I said, I’m very disciplined with recipes and followed this step by step. Not sure what went wrong here!
I’m sorry this recipe didn’t work out for you, Max. It’s hard to know what went wrong without being in the kitchen with you. Myself (and others) enjoy this recipe, so I really wish it would of been a hit for you too!
Can you double the sauce? I love chicken Marsala with lots of sauce.
Hi Patricia! It’s totally up to you if you want to double the sauce. I am unsure how it’s going to change the cook time for this recipe. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
Love this recipe. It’s going to be on rotation ❤️
Hi Kimberly! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Can you prep this the night before and then put it in the crockpot the next day?
Hi Jen! I would not recommend doing that. The chicken won’t be completely cooked after step 3 and it is not safe to leave it half uncooked overnight.
Made it for the second time…..delish. My kids asked for the recipe :)
Hi Cindy! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
One word….. Amazing.
Hi Stacie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
What if I use Marsala cooking wine?
Hi Elizabeth, not sure if you saw my note in the recipe card, where I said “not cooking wine”? The reason being is it will not have the same flavorful results. Hope this helps!
Excellent! However, I did make a few changes. I used 1.5 cups of Marsala and added .75 cups of heavy cream at the end in addition to the cornstarch. It made a rich gravy and added great flavor.
Hi R! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review and feedback on changes!
Do not make this recipe. Chicken came out tasteless. Sauce did not reduce/thicken. Ended up shredding the chicken breasts and repurposing into chicken tacos but still needed to add a ton of seasoning and extra sauce because the chicken was dry. There’s just not enough sauce in the original recipe to keep the chicken moist during cooking and not enough seasoning to make it tasty. Find another recipe.
I’m sorry to hear that this recipe wasn’t to your tastes, Jeannette. I (and many other readers) have really enjoyed the flavors in this dish, so I wish it would’ve been a hit for you too!
I have not made this recioe before. Can I reheat this in the crockpot the next day>?
Hi Elayne, we have the reheat instructions in the recipe but maybe you could do it in the crockpot. I’m not sure, because I haven’t tried it but make sure you are only easy the warm function and not the cook function. Let us know how it goes!
I followed your recipe exactly. I used a real dry Marsala wine. And this was very bland. And the chicken was a little dry but did fall apart. Not sure what I did wrong. But I’ll have to agree with the other reviewer that didn’t care for it. Sorry. I’ll be sure to try another one of your recipes.
I’m sorry to hear that this recipe wasn’t to your tastes, Brad. I (and many other readers) have really enjoyed the flavors in this dish, so I wish it would’ve been a hit for you too!
I made this recipe but it was kind of bland. Any suggestions on making it spicier or more flavorful? We ended up putting hot sauce in it and sour cream
I’m sorry to hear that this recipe wasn’t to your tastes, Alison. I (and many other readers) have really enjoyed the flavors in this dish, so I wish it would’ve been a hit for you too!
Very easy and very tasty. Made mine with boneless thighs.
Hi Ed! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
hi! Im new to cooking and a little nervous about the amount of sauce vs chicken/mushroom ratio when first pouring it in. Is it okay if it doesnt fully cover the mushroom/chicken at first? Hope to hear from you soon!
Hi Anna! The sauce won’t fully cover the chicken when cooking it. Hope you enjoy it!
I almost didn’t make this because a couple of reviews said it was very bland. So glad I didn’t listen because I thought it was full of flavor! I tripled the recipe with a big package of chicken (6 lbs.) and a full onion, and made with a cup and a half of marsala cooking wine plus 8 ounces of chicken broth. I also salted and peppered the chicken well on each side (maybe the other reviewers did not)? And added just a splash of heavy cream at the end. The chicken was SO tender! Made a great addition to the Christmas buffet!
So happy to hear it, thanks for sharing Lynne!
In terms of wholesomeness, it is a very good recipe but it didn’t wow me or family. I used baby Bella mushrooms b/c crimini not available and I think it is important to get crimini for a stronger flavor. I would also use 1/2 & 1/2 instead of starch as sauce thickener. Maybe if I find crimini muchrooms. A good quality dry sweet Marsala from liquor store is important for success with g this recipe.
I’m sorry to hear that! I know it’s disappointing to try a new recipe and not enjoy it. I (and many other readers) have enjoyed it, so I really wish they would’ve been a hit for you too!
I forgot to add in my previous comment/review that I halved my chicken breasts and that caused it to cook much quicker. I had it on low for 2.45 hrs and temp was 180. It was edible but overcooked. if I were to make it again, I would half the breasts but cook 1.45 hrs and start checking temp til I got 165.
Hi Erin, my name is Gabby & I am Second generation Italian. I am 1/2 Sicilian & 1/2 Neopolitan. The falvors in this dish are AMAZING. The only issue my family & I had is that there is NOT ENOUGH SAUCE. Erin could you please give me some advice on what I can do to MAKE MORE THAN ENOUGH SAUCE, so that my husband, myself, our daughter & son LOVE THIS MEAL. I do not to compromise the integrity of this dish. I am making this dish tonight, which is March 4th, 2024. What I will do if I don’t see a reply today is, I will increase the Marsala Wine to make it X3. I will keep all the other ingredients x2. I may also cut the chicken breast in half so they are not as thick, in hopes of having enough sauce?- I was thinking possibly asding some chicken broth. I honestly do not want to change anything without your input. In 2019 I suffered a Traumatic brain Injury ( Hit by a car while walking alone & left for dead) & life has been difficult (TO SAY THE LEAST, LOL) since then & I am extremely unsure of myself. Your recipe has been part of my progress. Well Erin you take care & keep doing what you love 👏. ❤️ Thank you from the bottom of me & my family’s ❤️ . May God bless you & family 🙌 girl 😊. You found something you ❤️ Now don’t allow ANYONE to stop you from GETTING BETTER. You are great & I know there is ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT & I would love to tell you any truthor issues I have when I cook your recipes SO YOU CAN IMPROVE & get to a place of perfection. I believe that you sre ON YOUR WAY TO SOMETHING BIGGER 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏
Hi Gabby, you could try to double the ingredients for the sauce, you may have to increase the cornstarch as well depending how thick you’d like it. Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
This worked exactly as written, thanks!
Thank you!
We absolutely loved it!
Great! Thank you Barbra!
If you have to put in crockpot earlier in the morning for dinner later will chicken get very dried out you think ?
Hi Melissa, we’ve only recommend cooking this on low for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Any time longer than that it could dry out. Hope this helps!
This is one of the easiest recipes that I make quite often and it’s so delicious. It’s better than any chicken Marsala dish served in the Italian restaurants in my city! Thank you for sharing :)
So glad to hear, Amy! Thank you!
I’m glad I tried it! This was the first time I have tried to make this dish and it turned out well. Followed the recipe exactly. Just added a splash of cream to the sauce right before serving and topped with chopped parsley. Served over fettuccine. Good recipe to add to crock pot repertoire.
So glad to hear, Cathy! Thank you!