What Wine Goes Best with Chicken Marsala?

Chicken marsala is a classic Italian dish that combines chicken cutlets, mushrooms, and a sauce made with Marsala wine. With its rich, flavorful sauce, chicken marsala can be tricky to pair with wine. The right wine pairing should complement the dish without overpowering it. I tested several wines to find the best options to go with chicken marsala.

Overview of Chicken Marsala

Before getting into wine pairings, let’s briefly go over what defines chicken marsala. This dish originated in Sicily and is made by pan-searing chicken cutlets and then simmering them in a sauce of Marsala wine, butter or cream, mushrooms, herbs, and spices.

The sauce is the star of chicken marsala. It has a luxurious silky texture and a sweet smoky, earthy flavor from the combination of ingredients. The mushrooms add an umami meaty quality. The Marsala brings rich dried fruit and nutty flavors.

Overall, classic chicken marsala has a sweet yet savory flavor profile. The sauce is quite rich from the butter or cream. So the wine we choose needs to complement these characteristics.

Best Wine Pairings for Chicken Marsala

Pinot Noir

Pinot noir was one of my top picks to pair with chicken marsala. As a light-bodied red wine, pinot noir has gentle tannins that won’t overpower the dish. It has flavors of cherry, raspberry, and earth that complement the sweet and savory Marsala sauce. The earthiness of pinot noir also complements the mushroom flavors. Pinot noir’s high acidity cuts through the richness nicely.

Overall, pinot noir’s fruity yet earthy flavors pair beautifully with chicken marsala. The two balance each other nicely. Pinot noir from Burgundy or Oregon works well.

Chardonnay

A buttery chardonnay is another excellent pairing option. Chardonnay is a full-bodied white wine with bold flavors that stand up to the Marsala sauce. It has complements like vanilla, baking spice, and toasted oak. The butteriness in oaked chardonnay mirrors the richness of the sauce.

I’d recommend an unoaked or lightly oaked chardonnay to prevent too much richness. The acidity of chardonnay balances out the sauce’s richness. Overall, chardonnay’s toasted oak notes, butteriness, and acid make it a perfect match. Go for a California chardonnay.

Dry Riesling

For a lighter white wine pairing, dry Riesling is a great option. Dry Riesling has mouthwatering acidity to cut through the sauce’s richness. It has fruity flavors like peach, apricot, and lemon that complement the sweet Marsala.

The minerality in dry Riesling contrasts nicely with the dish’s richness German Rieslings, like Kabinett or Spätlese, pair nicely Their hint of sweetness matches the Marsala’s sweetness.

Lambrusco

For an unexpected pairing, try Lambrusco. This bubbly red wine from Italy complements chicken marsala’s rich sweetness. The berry, violet, and black pepper flavors contrast the sauce’s richness. Lambrusco’s palate-cleansing bubbles also cut through the rich butter or cream.

Opt for a dry Lambrusco rather than a sweet one, which could be too cloying. overall, Lambrusco’s bubbles, fruit, and pepper are fun complements to chicken marsala’s indulgence.

Avoid Heavy Reds

I’d avoid heavy reds like Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec with chicken marsala. Their bold tannins and oak notes would overpower the dish instead of complementing it. Lighter reds like Pinot Noir are better matches.

I’d also avoid light whites like Pinot Grigio that lack the acidity and flavor intensity to stand up to chicken marsala. The sauce needs a wine with some weight.

Serving Tips

• Let both the wine and chicken marsala sauce come to room temperature before serving. This allows their aromas and flavors to fully develop.

• Pour the wine just before plating the chicken to preserve its aromas.

• Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with a starch like pasta, polenta, or risotto to soak up the luscious sauce.

• For an Italian-themed meal, serve with a Caesar salad and Italian bread.

Chicken marsala’s richness and sweet, earthy flavors call for wines that complement rather than compete with the dish. The best bets are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Lambrusco. Their fruity flavors, earthiness, acidity and light tannins effortlessly pair with chicken marsala. Following these wine pairing tips will ensure you have a well-matched meal that brings out the best in both components. So next time you make chicken marsala, grab one of these wines to make it a savory, flavorful pairing.