Emilie Meyer
Chicken Marsala is an Italian-inspired dish made with Marsala wine from the Sicily region, and mushrooms. This recipe is perfect for a busy weeknight meal as it only takes ten minutes to prep, and your crock pot does the rest of the work. The key to the best crock pot chicken marsala is to sear the outsides of the chicken breasts before adding them to the slow cooker. The slurry made from cornstarch and water is also important as it helps to thicken the sauce and keep the dish gluten-free.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Boneless skinless chicken breasts, garlic, mushrooms, marsala wine, olive oil, salt, pepper, cornstarch, water, heavy cream |
| Preparation | Season chicken with salt and pepper, brown in a skillet, combine chicken stock, wine, and garlic in the slow cooker, add chicken and mushrooms, cook on low for 2-6 hours or high for 2-4 hours |
| Serving suggestions | Serve over rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or noodles |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken preparation
Selecting the Chicken:
Choose boneless and skinless chicken breasts for your crock-pot chicken marsala. This cut of chicken is ideal as it cooks evenly and makes it easier to enjoy the dish without any fuss. You can also use chicken thighs, but they require a longer cooking time.
Seasoning the Chicken:
Before adding the chicken to the crock-pot, enhance its flavour by seasoning it with a variety of spices. Start by sprinkling salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken breasts. Additionally, you can add other seasonings like garlic powder, dried basil, thyme, and paprika to take the flavour up a notch.
Searing the Chicken:
While this step is optional, searing the chicken breasts before adding them to the crock-pot can significantly enhance the dish's overall taste and texture. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and brown it on both sides until it develops a golden colour. This step locks in the juices and adds a delicious seared flavour to your chicken marsala.
Preparing the Crock-Pot:
Lightly grease a 4- to 5-quart slow cooker or crock-pot with cooking spray. You can use a non-stick spray to ensure the chicken doesn't stick to the surface. Place the garlic and oil at the bottom of the crock-pot. If you prefer, you can also add sliced onions as a base layer.
Adding the Chicken:
Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the prepared crock-pot. If you've seared the chicken, you may skip this step and add the chicken towards the end of the cooking process. For a classic chicken marsala, simply arrange the chicken in a single layer on top of the garlic and oil.
Cooking the Chicken:
Cover the crock-pot and cook the chicken on low heat for 2-4 hours or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. The cooking time may vary depending on your crock-pot's temperature settings and the thickness of the chicken breasts. Use a meat thermometer to check if the chicken is done; it should reach an internal temperature of 165°F when fully cooked.
Remember, the key to delicious crock-pot chicken marsala is taking your time and allowing the flavours to meld together. By following these steps, you'll be able to prepare juicy and tender chicken that will make your chicken marsala irresistible!
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Ingredients for sauce
The sauce for chicken marsala is what gives the dish its signature flavour. Here are the ingredients you will need to make it:
- Marsala wine is the key ingredient that gives the dish its name. It is a fortified wine from Sicily that can be sweet or dry. It is rich and nutty and gives the dish its distinctive flavour. If you don't have access to Marsala wine, you can substitute it with chicken broth, or another kind of cooking wine like dry Madeira, port, dry white wine, or red vermouth.
- Mushrooms are another key ingredient that adds depth of flavour and texture to the dish. You can slice or mince them, and if you don't like mushrooms, you can leave them out or pick them out after cooking.
- Garlic adds wonderful flavour to the sauce. Minced or powdered garlic works well.
- Water and cornstarch are combined to create a slurry that thickens the sauce and gives it a creamy texture.
- Cream is optional but can be added for a richer, creamier sauce.
- Chicken broth can be added for extra flavour and moisture.
- Spices such as salt, pepper, dried basil, thyme, and paprika can be added to taste.
The sauce is made by combining these ingredients and cooking them in the crockpot with the chicken. The slow cooking process allows the rich flavours to meld together, resulting in a delicious and cozy meal.
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Cooking the chicken
Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian dish that can be easily prepared in a crock pot. The key ingredients are chicken, mushrooms, and Marsala wine. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking the chicken for this delicious meal:
Preparing the Chicken
Firstly, you will want to prepare the chicken breasts by seasoning them with salt and pepper. This step is optional but recommended, as it adds flavour and texture to the dish. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, dried basil, thyme, and paprika. If you have the time, searing the chicken breasts before adding them to the crock pot will enhance the flavour and help seal in the juices.
Once your chicken is prepared, it's time to add it to the crock pot. Lightly grease your crock pot with cooking spray or olive oil. Place the chicken in the pot and add the other ingredients, including the mushrooms, garlic, and Marsala wine. Cover the crock pot and cook on low heat for 2-6 hours, depending on the recipe you follow and your desired level of doneness.
Checking for Doneness
To ensure your chicken is cooked through, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is safely cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Final Steps
After the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crock pot and place it on a plate, keeping it covered to retain warmth. If you want to thicken the sauce, create a slurry by mixing cornstarch and water, then pour it into the crock pot and stir. Return the chicken to the pot, increase the heat to high, and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Your chicken is now ready to be served! You can sprinkle it with parsley and serve it over rice, mashed potatoes, or noodles. Enjoy your homemade Chicken Marsala!
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Making the sauce
Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian dish with rich and nutty flavours. The sauce is a key component of the dish and is made using Marsala wine, which is a fortified wine from Sicily. While dry Marsala wine is typically used, sweet Marsala wine can also be used. If you don't have Marsala wine, you can use chicken broth, or another kind of cooking wine like dry Madeira, port, dry white wine, or red vermouth.
To make the sauce, first, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then, season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear the chicken breasts on both sides in the skillet. This step is optional but recommended as it enhances the flavour and helps to seal in the juices.
Next, add the chicken to the slow cooker, along with the chicken stock, Marsala wine, and garlic. Top the chicken with sliced mushrooms. Cover and cook on high for 2-4 hours or on low for 4-6 hours, until the chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and set it aside. To make the sauce, mix water and cornstarch in a separate bowl until smooth, creating a slurry. Then, pour this slurry into the slow cooker and stir it into the liquid. Add the chicken back to the slow cooker and turn the heat to high. Cover and cook for another 20-30 minutes or until the sauce is thickened.
Finally, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. For a creamy sauce, you can stir in some heavy cream before serving, being careful not to let it boil to avoid curdling.
Your Chicken Marsala is now ready to be served! Enjoy it with a side of parsley, and choose from noodles, rice, mashed potatoes, or pasta as your preferred base.
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Serving suggestions
Chicken Marsala is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways to suit different tastes and dietary preferences. Here are some serving suggestions to consider:
Carbohydrates
Chicken Marsala goes well with various carbohydrates, including pasta, rice, and mashed potatoes. For pasta, fettuccine, penne, and egg noodles are all good options. If you're looking for a low-carb alternative, mashed cauliflower or cauliflower rice are excellent substitutes that won't compromise on flavour.
Vegetable Sides
For a well-rounded meal, consider adding a vegetable side dish. Roasted stuffed artichokes, broccoli, or a chickpea salad can provide a fresh and nutritious complement to the chicken.
Breads
Crusty Italian bread is a perfect option for mopping up any extra sauce, and garlic butter pasta adds a quick and easy garlicky kick to the meal.
Potato Variations
If you're a potato lover, there are several options to explore. Roasted garlic mashed potatoes, Vesuvio potatoes, and scalloped potatoes are all delicious variations that can be served alongside the chicken.
Dairy
For a creamy touch, consider adding a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top of your dish.
Dessert
Lastly, don't forget dessert! Baked homemade cannolis are a sweet way to end your Italian-inspired feast.
With these serving suggestions, you can create a well-balanced and flavourful meal centred around your Crock Pot Chicken Marsala.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need boneless skinless chicken breasts, minced garlic, sliced mushrooms, sweet marsala cooking wine, water and cornstarch, olive oil, and salt and pepper.
First, season the chicken with salt and pepper and brown both sides in a skillet (optional). Next, add olive oil, garlic, and chicken to the crock pot. Top with mushrooms and pour in the wine. Cover and cook on low for 2-6 hours. Whisk together water and cornstarch, then pour into the crock pot. Add the chicken back in, switch to high heat, cover, and cook for another 20-30 minutes.
Chicken marsala can be served on top of pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Chicken marsala will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
While it is not recommended, you can substitute the marsala wine with chicken broth or white grape juice.
