Marsala chicken is a tasty Italian dish which you can find not only in the best Italian restaurants but also in your very own kitchen if you choose to follow this marsala chicken with asparagus recipe.
This marsala chicken with asparagus dish is made with chicken thighs which offer more flavor than breast, and are also juicier and more succulent. Chicken thighs are harder to overcook and dry out than chicken breast. Leek, fennel and asparagus make up the vegetable content of the dish.
As well as the chicken and veggies, this Italian Marsala chicken recipe features lemon juice, Marsala wine and parsley, to bring out all the delicious flavors we expect from such a dish.
This marsala chicken with asparagus recipe uses spray oil to fry the chicken but you can use olive oil if you prefer. I often use spray oil to keep down the fat content but I love the flavor of olive oil so you might wish to use that instead for the Mediterranean flavor which suits this dish.
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How to Serve Marsala Chicken with Asparagus
This is very good served with either mashed potatoes or rice, but if you want to go slightly non-traditional you might wish to serve egg noodles with it or even couscous.
This marsala chicken with asparagus makes a lovely meal for a special occasion because the Marsala wine offers a gourmet touch. You might also like to serve an Italian dessert afterwards, either something rich like tiramisu or something lighter such as strawberry mousse. Here are some FAQs about this dish:
What is Traditionally Served with Chicken Marsala?
Consider egg noodles, rice or mashed potatoes. If you prefer, you can team it with vegetables for a lower carb option. I love green asparagus so I often pair mine with that.
What is the Difference between Chicken Marsala and Chicken Madeira?
In chicken madeira, madeira wine is used instead of marsala wine. Apart from that it’s a similar tasting dish.
What Kind of Wine Can I Substitute for Marsala?
Try madeira wine, dry sherry or even port wine. It won’t be as authentic of course but it’ll still work!
Do You Use Sweet or Dry Marsala Wine for Chicken Marsala?
Marsala is a fortified wine and you can get both sweet and dry types. I would recommend dry marsala wine for this dish since it’s a savory recipe. How long does marsala wine keep? Actually once opened it’ll stay good for 4 to 6 months. It wouldn’t last that long in this house but you know what I mean!
Can I Freeze Marsala Wine?
Actually you can. Wine freezes but pure liquor (vodka, gin and so on) won’t. It will be fine opened for half a year though so you probably won’t need to freeze it. But it is worth knowing you can! I often freeze both red and white wine in ice cube trays so if a recipe calls for a splash of wine I don’t have to crack open a bottle.
PrintMarsala Chicken with Asparagus
Marsala wine and chicken are showcased in this wonderful recipe, while fennel and asparagus are also added to the mix for aromatic flavor and crunch. This is an unusual dish.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: Entree
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 4 skinned chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 chopped leek
- ½ teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1½ oz (50 ml) Marsala wine
- ½ pint (250 ml) chicken stock
- 1 chopped bulb fennel
- 1 trimmed bunch asparagus
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Spray oil
- 1 lightly beaten egg
- Salt and black pepper
- Fresh parsley and lemon zest for garnish
Instructions
- Dust the chicken with flour.
- Fry in spray oil until golden all over.
- Remove and set aside.
- Pour in the Marsala wine.
- Bubble until reduced by half.
- Pour in the stock.
- Add leeks, parsley, chicken and fennel.
- Cover and simmer over a low heat 10-15 minutes.
- Add asparagus in final 2 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken and veg.
- In a small bowl mix about ½ the egg with the lemon juice.
- Add about 2 tablespoons of the hot cooking liquid slowly, stirring well.
- Slowly add this mixture to the pan, mixing it in.
- Return the chicken and veg to the pan and gently warm through taking care not to scramble it.
- Garnish and serve.
