Chicken Marsala Meatballs Recipe (2024)

A family favorite from day one, this recipe for One Pot Chicken Marsala Meatballs is a skillet full of rich, creamy flavor. Tender chicken meatballs that are bathed in a savory marsala sauce will make the family beg to add them to your weekly meal plan. Fast, easy and totally amazing.

Chicken Marsala Meatballs Recipe (1)

We are nearing the end of the school year and I’m finally starting to share all my favorite one pot dinners with you. I’m sorry I held off for so long for so many reasons….one, I kept your feed filled with desserts….like I’m a dessert blogger or something but I’m not. And I know you’re here for a little bit of everything but I had such a sugar addiction I just couldn’t stop.

But….now, I, too need some more one pot, easy dinners to get my through these last few long weeks of school. And two, I’m tired of take out all the things and since I know how to cook I decided to get back to more savory dishes that we can all whip up quickly and easily.

And three….my pants are seriously getting tight and I don’t know if it’s the sweets…the new workout plan…or early menopause but that just needs to end. So, I decide to share with you one of my favorite things ever….this recipe for Chicken Marsala Meatballs because it’s seriously easy….and seriously amazing.

And while we’re talking about the end of the school year….am I the only one that’s looking forward to the end of all the paper piles that manage to grow throughout the week. I mean, really, let’s save some trees!

Chicken Marsala Meatballs Recipe (2)

Back to the meatballs….I’m a huge fan of chicken marsala and I’ve recreated a couple easy recipes for you already like this super popular Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala Stew. It’s really old….the recipe, not the dish…like it’s not been sitting in the back of my fridge since the first post was published….so please excuse the photos…but it’s so good and comforting and totally easy to make that it’s been going strong since I posted it many years ago.

But, one day I was craving Chicken Marsala and meatballs and since that’s kind of protein overkill I thought I’d combine the two to create a unique recipe…calling it Chicken Marsala Meatballs.

But FIRST…..you may be thinking….what is Chicken Marsala Made of?

Chicken Marsala is one of my favorite dinner recipes. It’s quick, easy and can be made in one pot, this recipe for Chicken Marsala Meatballs is other level. It’s just another way to get the flavors of Chicken Marsala with a fun twist. It’s almost like these Swedish Meatballs…..but not.

Chicken Marsala is made by dreading chicken in flour and then frying in a pan. After the chicken is fried to a golden brown, a sauce is made by reducing marsala wine to a syrupy consistency along with sauteed onions or shallots and mushrooms. I like to stir in a pat of butter for an ultra velvety smooth sauce with a little creaminess.

The same technique is used for these Chicken Marsala Meatballs but without the flour dredge saving you one messy step that makes these my go-to dinner recipe.

Chicken Marsala Meatballs Recipe (3)

I Googled the recipe to see if it had been done before because I thought I was being all clever and crafty….and guess what I found….Giada’s Chicken meatballs in marsala sauce. Yep, I’m so original. But I went with my gut and made my own version in the easiest way I could find….cramming everything into one pot so we don’t have many dishes to do when we’re done and my version is quite magical if I do say so myself.

Which Marsala wine is best for Chicken Marsala Meatballs?

There are both dry and sweet marsala wines in the store but for savory dishes like these Chicken Marsala Meatballs you definitely want to go with the dry marsala wine. Sweet marsala wine should be reserved for desserts or cordial co*cktails, only.

Chicken Marsala Meatballs Recipe (4)

These Chicken Marsala Meatballs are tender and juicy with a hint of marsala baked right into them. I even lightened up the entire dish by adding a ton of finely chopped mushrooms to the chicken mixture to keep them from drying out and reducing the calories.

If you don’t like mushrooms you can definitely leave them out but my mushroom hating kids didn’t even know they were in there….and I did the same thing with this turkey meatloaf years ago….they still have no clue it has mushrooms in it and they request it all the time. So….winning at mom life over here.

Chicken Marsala Meatballs Recipe (5)

The marsala sauce tastes just like it would in your favorite Italian restaurant but, again, lighter on calories and fat and all that other nonsense that we don’t need every day.

It’s almost the same as the sauce in this Creamy Chicken Marsala Skillet recipe except this one doesn’t have cream. But it’s another one pot dinner that you’re family will definitely be on board with and if you don’t have time to roll a bunch of meatballs…it’s definitely a winner in my book.

If you’re looking for a more classic meatball recipe, my kids LOVE this Porcupine Meatball recipe…..also, ONE POT!

Want even more ONE POT Chicken Recipes? Try these family favorites:

  • BEST EVER Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
  • Oven Baked Chicken Parmesan
  • Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
  • Creamy Tuscan Chicken Tortellini Soup

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Chicken Marsala Meatballs Recipe (6)

Get the Recipe:One Pot Chicken Marsala Meatballs Recipe

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 20 minutes mins

Total Time: 35 minutes mins

Quick and easy, One Pot Chicken Marsala Meatballs is a family friendly recipe that comes together in a hurry for busy weeknight dinners.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons marsala wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

  • Add the onion and garlic cloves to a food processor. Pulse several times until finely chopped. Add half the mushrooms to the food processor and pulse another few times until mushrooms are finely chopped.

  • Transfer the onion/mushroom mixture to a large bowl. Add the ground chicken, bread crumbs, egg, 2 tablespoons marsala wine, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

  • Using clean hands or a pastry blender, mix the ingredients until well combined.

  • Form 2 tablespoons chicken mixture into a ball and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Repeat until all mixture has been used.

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the meatballs to the pan being careful not to crowd the pan and working in batches, if necessary. Brown the meatballs on all sides. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 10-15 minutes or until cooked through.

  • Remove the skillet from the oven and transfer the meatballs to a platter. Cover with foil to keep warm.

  • Return the skillet to the stovetop and add the butter to the pan. Melt the butter oven medium high heat. Add the remaining mushrooms to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. Sprinkle the cornstarch over the mushrooms and stir. Cook for 30 seconds.

  • Pour the remaining marsala wine over the mushrooms and deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to loosen the brown bits. Stir in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Add the onion powder and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

  • Return the meatballs to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes just to warm through.

  • Serve the meatballs with the sauce over pasta or mashed potatoes, if desired.

Video

Chicken Marsala Meatballs Recipe (7)

Notes

Meatballs can be made in advance and frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Sauce can be made up to 48 hours in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

To heat the frozen meatballs, arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment and bake at 425 degrees until no longer frozen in the center.

Calories: 471kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 27g, Fat: 21g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 157mg, Sodium: 661mg, Potassium: 1041mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 235IU, Vitamin C: 5.4mg, Calcium: 59mg, Iron: 2.4mg

Author: Kellie from The Suburban Soapbox

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Chicken Marsala Meatballs Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you thicken chicken marsala sauce? ›

Flour plus fat (butter) = roux. A roux is used as a thickening agent in sauces. Sooo, with the butter from the pan and the butter the mushrooms have absorbed, plus the chicken cutlets coated in flour… This all means when the cutlets get added back to the sauce – that flour and butter combo is what thickens the sauce.

What is a substitute for Marsala wine in chicken? ›

Madeira, Vermouth, or Dry Sherry (not cooking Sherry) are good substitutes: A Non-alcoholic option: Use equal amounts of white grape juice in place of Marsala wine.

What is chicken marsala served over? ›

  • Rice. Rice is a classic, gluten-free side dish that pairs perfectly with chicken Marsala. ...
  • Risotto. For a classic Italian side dish, consider risotto, a creamier alternative to plain rice. ...
  • Egg Noodles. ...
  • Angel Hair Pasta. ...
  • Zucchini Noodles. ...
  • Polenta. ...
  • Mashed Potatoes. ...
  • Boursin Hasselback Potatoes.
Mar 17, 2023

How best to reheat chicken marsala? ›

Chicken Parmesan / Chicken Marsala

1. Place in 350° preheated oven, covered, for approximately 30-35 minutes. 2. Remove lid for last 5 minutes of heating.

How long does it take marsala sauce to thicken? ›

Deglaze the pan by pouring in the marsala, and cook for about 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium, stir in beef broth and port, and cook until sauce starts to reduce and thicken to your preference, 10 to 12 minutes.

How do you thicken marsala sauce without cornstarch? ›

Flour-Based Thickeners

A general ratio to work with is 2 tablespoons flour for every cup of liquid. Start by adding a little bit, then cook, stirring, for a few minutes to allow the sauce time to thicken and cook off the raw flour taste; if the results are minimal, add more.

Can I use balsamic vinegar instead of Marsala wine? ›

Combine a cup of white grape juice with balsamic vinegar to mimic the acidity and depth of Marsala. Mix fruit juices such as cherry or cranberry with a splash of sherry vinegar for a robust flavor.

What kind of Marsala wine is best for cooking chicken Marsala? ›

Use dry marsala rather than sweet marsala which is more commonly used in desserts. Sub with port wine, sherry, or madeira. For non alcoholic version, better to make Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce!

What is better for chicken Marsala dry or sweet? ›

However, when we tried both styles in recipes for chicken Marsala, mushroom stuffing, and zabaglione, tasters preferred the dry style in all instances. Though both were acceptable, tasters found that dry Marsala offered more depth of flavor, while sweet Marsala added sweetness and some flavor but wasn't as complex.

What's the difference between chicken piccata and chicken Marsala? ›

While both chicken piccata and chicken Marsala are cooked in the same way, there are a few key differences between the two dishes. Chicken piccata isn't creamy. It's cooked with white wine, chicken broth, capers, and lemon juice. It's tangy and bright instead of rich and creamy.

Do you use red or white wine for chicken Marsala? ›

Light-Bodied Red Wines

Its light and elegant nature makes it a perfect match for the rich and savory flavors of the Chicken Marsala.

How much alcohol is in chicken Marsala? ›

The sauce is made with Marsala wine which is a dry and sweet wine which has a 15-20% alcohol content but don't worry, all of the alcohol will cook out of the sauce. The wine creates a nutty and rich caramelized sauce for the chicken.

How long is leftover chicken marsala good for in the fridge? ›

Transfer your leftover chicken marsala to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. To freeze your leftovers, store in an airtight container for up to 4 months. Thaw either in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of chicken broth.

Does the alcohol burn off in chicken marsala? ›

Sorry to spoil the party, but here's the real deal: Simply heating alcohol, or any other cooking liquid, does not make it evaporate as quickly as a child's allowance in a candy store. The longer you cook, the more alcohol cooks out, but you have to cook food for about 3 hours to fully erase all traces of alcohol.

Does cooking marsala go bad? ›

A well-sealed and refrigerated opened bottle of Marsala can last for 4-6 months, retaining a large extent of its original taste profile.

How do you thicken a sauce that's too watery? ›

Use Flour and Water

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency.

How do you thicken chicken pasta sauce? ›

Cornstarch: Make a slurry of half water, half cornstarch and whisk until smooth. Cornstarch is a powerful thickener, so start by whisking in no more than 1 tablespoon of the mixture per 2 cups of simmering sauce; stir and simmer for 2 minutes, check the thickness, and repeat with more slurry as needed.

How do you make soupy sauce thicker? ›

7 Ways to Thicken up a Sauce
  1. Flour. If being gluten-free isn't a concern, adding flour is a fantastic way to thicken dairy-based sauces, thick soups and gravies. ...
  2. Cornstarch or arrowroot. ...
  3. Tomato paste. ...
  4. Reduce the liquid. ...
  5. Swirl in a pat of butter. ...
  6. Add an egg yolk. ...
  7. Puree some vegetables.
Apr 9, 2019

How do you thicken watery chicken? ›

Powders and flours. Cornstarch, arrowroot, common wheat flour, and the flours or powders made from potato, tapioca, chickpea — to name but a few — long have been used to thicken cooking liquids. (Gelatins and gums also can play a similar role.)

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