The Best Easy Crockpot Chicken Marsala Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Whipping up a delectable crockpot chicken marsala couldn’t be simpler for busy home cooks seeking comfort on a plate.

Tender chicken breasts bathed in rich, earthy mushroom sauce promise restaurant-quality flavor without hours of kitchen labor.

Wine-infused ingredients meld together effortlessly, creating a meal that feels both sophisticated and welcoming.

Minimal prep work means you can walk away and let the slow cooker work its magic.

Mushrooms and herbs dance together, building layers of complex taste that will impress anyone at the dinner table.

Bold yet uncomplicated, this recipe turns an Italian classic into an accessible weeknight dinner.

Ready to savor every delicious, stress-free bite?

What Makes Chicken Marsala Easy

• Minimal prep transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal with rich, complex taste.
• Crockpot method allows you to walk away while the chicken becomes incredibly tender and infused with savory Marsala wine sauce.
• Perfect for busy weeknights, weekend gatherings, or impressing dinner guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Uses affordable ingredients like chicken breasts and mushrooms to create a sophisticated dish that tastes like it came from a high-end restaurant.

Ingredients in Chicken Marsala

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean meat that serves as the base of the dish.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Italian Herbs: Seasonings that add depth and traditional flavor.
• Garlic, Shallots: Aromatic ingredients that provide a rich, savory base.
• Fresh Thyme: Herb that brings a subtle earthy and slightly minty note.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb used for garnish and fresh flavor.

• Marsala Wine: Classic Italian cooking wine that adds depth and sweetness.
• Chicken Broth: Liquid that helps cook and tenderize the chicken.
• Mushrooms: Adds umami flavor and meaty texture to the sauce.
• Butter: Provides richness and silky finish to the sauce.
• Flour or Cornstarch: Thickening agent to create a smooth sauce.

Crockpot Chicken Marsala Method

Step 1: Prepare Chicken for Cooking

Grab your chicken breasts and generously sprinkle them with salt, black pepper, and a delightful blend of Italian herbs.

Make sure each piece is evenly coated for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Brown Chicken to Lock in Flavor

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and quickly sear the chicken breasts.

Cook each side for about 2 minutes until a beautiful golden-brown crust forms.

This optional step adds incredible depth to the dish.

Step 3: Transfer Chicken to Crockpot

Carefully place the seared chicken breasts into the crockpot, creating a cozy base for the upcoming sauce.

Step 4: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Sliced mushrooms
• Minced garlic
• Chopped shallots

Cook until the vegetables become soft and release their mouth-watering aroma.

Step 5: Deglaze with Marsala Wine

Pour Marsala wine into the skillet, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom.

Let the wine simmer for 2 minutes to concentrate its rich flavor.

Step 6: Pour Sauce Over Chicken

Carefully transfer the mushroom and wine mixture over the chicken in the crockpot, ensuring every piece gets covered in the delectable sauce.

Step 7: Add Liquid and Herbs

Pour chicken broth over the chicken and toss in fresh thyme sprigs for an extra layer of aromatic goodness.

Step 8: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the crockpot and let it work its magic.

Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until the chicken becomes meltingly tender.

Step 9: Thicken the Sauce

About 30 minutes before serving, create a silky sauce by mixing flour or cornstarch with a bit of the cooking liquid.

Stir this slurry back into the crockpot to transform the sauce into a luxurious consistency.

Step 10: Final Touch of Richness

Just before serving, add a pat of butter to create an extra luxurious sheen.

Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Serve hot and enjoy your restaurant-quality Chicken Marsala straight from the crockpot!

Smart Tips for Chicken Marsala

• Sear chicken in a hot skillet before adding to crockpot for deeper flavor development and beautiful golden-brown exterior.
• Replace Marsala wine with chicken broth and a splash of balsamic vinegar for a non-alcoholic version that still delivers rich taste.
• Use cornstarch slurry sparingly to control sauce consistency, adding gradually to prevent over-thickening and maintain silky texture.
• Select fresh cremini or button mushrooms for best flavor absorption and tender, meaty texture in the final dish.
• Keep crockpot temperature consistent and avoid lifting lid frequently to ensure even cooking and preserve moisture in chicken.

How to Store Chicken Marsala

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep chicken and sauce together to maintain moisture. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer chicken and sauce to freezer-safe containers. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place chicken and sauce in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Pour chicken and sauce into skillet. Add splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through completely.

Best Sides for Chicken Marsala

• Elevate Marsala Magic Pairings
• Serve Creamy Parmesan Risotto: Rich, velvety rice perfectly absorbs the savory Marsala sauce, creating a luxurious companion that complements the tender chicken's depth.
• Match with Crisp Chardonnay: Buttery white wine's subtle oak notes enhance the mushroom's earthiness and balance the dish's robust flavors, cutting through the richness.
• Create Roasted Garlic Green Beans: Bright, tender vegetables with caramelized garlic edges provide a fresh, vibrant contrast to the hearty chicken, adding nutritional balance and textural excitement.
• Add Crusty Artisan Bread: Rustic, warm bread becomes the ideal vehicle for soaking up every delicious drop of the Marsala sauce, ensuring no flavor gets left behind.

Spin-Offs of Chicken Marsala

• Gluten-Free Marsala: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder for thickening. Use gluten-free chicken broth to ensure complete allergen-free preparation.
• Dairy-Free Option: Substitute butter with olive oil or coconut oil. Skip cream-based additions and use extra broth for moisture and richness.
• Vegetarian Adaptation: Replace chicken with portobello mushrooms or firm tofu. Increase mushroom variety like shiitake and oyster mushrooms for deeper flavor complexity.
• Low-Sodium Version: Use low-sodium chicken broth. Reduce salt in seasoning and replace with herbs like rosemary, sage, and oregano for enhanced taste without additional sodium.

FAQs

• Is Marsala wine necessary for this recipe?

While Marsala wine gives the dish its signature flavor, you can substitute with chicken broth and a splash of balsamic vinegar if you don’t have Marsala wine available.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work great in this recipe. They’re often more tender and flavorful, and they’ll hold up well in the slow cooker without drying out.

• How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Use cornstarch instead of flour for thickening the sauce, and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free. Double-check your broth and Marsala wine labels to confirm.

• What type of mushrooms work best?

Button mushrooms are classic, but cremini or a mix of wild mushrooms like shiitake and oyster mushrooms can add more depth and complexity to the dish’s flavor profile.

Easy Crockpot Chicken Marsala Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comforting Chicken Marsala delivers Italian-inspired magic straight from your slow cooker, blending tender chicken with rich mushroom wine sauce. Home cooks discover a simple weekend dinner that brings restaurant-quality flavor without complex preparation.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6 ounces / 170 grams each)

Dredging and Seasoning:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms, sliced (button or cremini)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, finely chopped

Liquid and Finishing Ingredients:

• 0.75 cup Marsala wine
• 0.75 cup chicken broth
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Infuse chicken breasts with a harmonious blend of seasoning, coating each piece with salt, pepper, and aromatic Italian herbs to enhance its inherent flavors.
2. Quickly sear the seasoned chicken in a hot skillet, developing a golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and creates a rich caramelized foundation (approximately 2 minutes per side).
3. Carefully transfer the lightly browned chicken into the crockpot, positioning pieces to ensure even cooking.
4. Utilize the same skillet to sauté mushrooms, garlic, and shallots, allowing them to release their earthy aromatics and become tender and translucent.
5. Deglaze the skillet with Marsala wine, expertly scraping accumulated flavor-packed browned bits from the pan’s surface, and let the liquid reduce for 2 minutes.
6. Cascade the fragrant mushroom and wine mixture over the chicken in the crockpot, ensuring each piece is generously coated.
7. Pour chicken broth into the crockpot and nestle fresh thyme sprigs among the ingredients to infuse additional depth.
8. Secure the crockpot lid and slow cook on low temperature for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, allowing flavors to meld and chicken to become supremely tender.
9. Thirty minutes before serving, create a smooth slurry by whisking flour with a small portion of the cooking liquid, then reintegrate into the crockpot to transform the sauce into a luxurious, velvety consistency.
10. Finish the dish by incorporating a pat of butter for an luxurious sheen and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, elevating the visual and flavor profile.

Notes

• Adjust seasoning intensity by experimenting with different herb blends like rosemary or oregano for varied flavor profiles.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour for thickening the sauce.
• Enhance protein diversity by swapping chicken breasts with boneless chicken thighs for a more tender and juicy result.
• Reduce sodium content by using low-sodium chicken broth and controlling salt quantities during initial seasoning stages.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 6 hours (low) or 3 hours (high)
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 425
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 570 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg