Olive Garden Chicken Marsala Copycat: Bring Italian Restaurant Flavors Home

Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about that rich, savory Olive Garden Chicken Marsala but prefer to enjoy gourmet meals from the comfort of your own kitchen? You’re in luck! This detailed copycat recipe will guide you through creating the authentic taste of Olive Garden’s beloved Chicken Marsala, transforming your dinner table into an Italian trattoria.

Imagine succulent, perfectly pan-seared chicken bathed in a decadent Marsala wine and mushroom sauce, handcrafted with fresh ingredients and a touch of culinary passion. This easy-to-follow recipe is more than just a meal; it’s an experience that brings restaurant-quality Italian comfort food right to your home, proving that you don’t need a reservation for an unforgettable dining experience.

Essential Ingredients for Your Olive Garden Chicken Marsala

Creating this iconic dish begins with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the layered flavors that make this copycat recipe so special. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to gather:

• Chicken Tenderloins: While many recipes call for chicken breasts, I highly recommend using chicken tenderloins. They are naturally more tender, cook much faster, and absorb the flavors of the Marsala sauce beautifully. This choice ensures a truly melt-in-your-mouth chicken experience, mirroring the restaurant’s quality.
• Flour: A light dusting of all-purpose flour helps create a golden crust on the chicken and acts as a thickening agent for the sauce, giving it that luxurious, silky consistency.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Simple seasonings are crucial for enhancing the natural flavors of the chicken.
• Olive Oil: Used for pan-searing the chicken and sautéing the aromatics. Extra virgin olive oil adds a subtle fruity note that complements the Italian profile.
• Shallots: These delicate members of the onion family offer a milder, sweeter flavor than regular onions, adding depth without overpowering the other ingredients.
• Fresh Mushrooms: Cremini or white button mushrooms are excellent choices. They contribute a meaty texture and earthy flavor to the sauce. Sliced mushrooms brown nicely and release their delicious juices.
• Garlic: The cornerstone of Italian cuisine, fresh minced garlic provides an aromatic foundation for the sauce.
• Dried Porcini Mushrooms: This is a secret weapon for achieving an incredibly rich, umami-packed mushroom flavor that truly distinguishes this dish. If you have trouble finding them, see our “Variations” section for alternatives.
• Marsala Cooking Wine: The star ingredient! Marsala wine, a fortified wine from Sicily, is essential for its distinctive nutty, sweet, and complex flavor that defines Chicken Marsala. Ensure you use a dry or sweet Marsala suitable for cooking.
• Chicken Broth: Provides the liquid base for the sauce, balancing the richness of the wine and mushrooms. Use a good quality, low-sodium chicken broth.
• Worcestershire Sauce: A surprising but impactful addition, Worcestershire sauce adds a deep, savory, and slightly tangy note that enhances the overall umami of the sauce.
• Dijon Mustard: Just a touch of Dijon mustard provides a subtle tang and helps emulsify the sauce, creating a smooth finish without a strong mustard flavor.
• Brown Sugar: A hint of brown sugar balances the acidity of the Marsala wine and deepens the savory notes, contributing to that signature sweet and savory profile.
• Butter: Added at the end, butter enriches the sauce, giving it a glossy sheen and a velvety smooth texture.

For precise measurements and detailed steps, continue reading the comprehensive recipe below!

Crafting Your Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Marsala Fettuccine

Numerous chicken Marsala recipes exist, but my goal with this guide is to meticulously recreate the version I fell in love with at Olive Garden. The standout qualities that define their dish, and which we’ll meticulously replicate, are the generous and deeply flavored mushrooms, the remarkably tender chicken, and the exquisite balance of sweet and savory in the Marsala wine sauce. Follow these steps for a truly authentic experience:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Begin by patting your chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. This crucial step helps achieve a perfect sear. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on all sides. Next, lightly dust each tenderloin with all-purpose flour, ensuring an even, thin coating. This flour will help create a beautiful golden-brown crust and contribute to thickening our rich Marsala sauce later.

Step 2: Pan-Sear the Chicken

Heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully place the flour-dusted chicken tenders into the hot pan, ensuring not to overcrowd it. Cook the tenders for approximately 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until they achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust and are cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Remove the cooked chicken to a clean plate and set it aside. It will patiently wait to be reunited with the luscious Marsala sauce.

Step 3: Build the Mushroom Marsala Sauce Base

Add another tablespoon or two of olive oil to the same skillet, reducing the heat slightly to medium. Add the sliced fresh mushrooms and the thinly sliced shallot. Sauté for about 3 minutes, allowing them to soften and release their moisture. Next, add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant – be careful not to burn it. Pour in the Marsala wine and add the dried Porcini mushrooms (if using). With a wooden spoon, scrape the bottom of the skillet to deglaze the pan, incorporating all those delicious browned bits (fond) into the sauce. This is where incredible depth of flavor comes from! Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer. Allow it to cook until the mushrooms are tender and the Marsala wine has reduced by about half, intensifying its flavor.

Step 4: Prepare the Finishing Sauce Mix

While the Marsala wine and mushrooms are simmering, prepare the remaining sauce ingredients. In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, combine the chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar. Whisk everything together until the brown sugar is dissolved and the mixture is well combined. This pre-mix ensures a smooth addition to the simmering sauce and prevents any lumps.

Step 5: Combine and Thicken the Sauce

Once the Marsala wine has reduced and the mushrooms are tender, pour the prepared broth mixture into the skillet with the Marsala and mushrooms. Give it a good stir to thoroughly combine all the flavors. The sauce will begin to thicken as it simmers, developing that signature consistency.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

To give your Marsala sauce that extra touch of silky quality and richness, stir in the tablespoon of butter until it melts and is fully incorporated. Finally, return the cooked chicken tenders to the skillet, nestling them into the luscious sauce. Gently warm everything through for a few minutes, allowing the chicken to absorb the incredible flavors. Turn the heat to low and keep the dish warm until you’re ready to serve. If you’ll be waiting more than a couple of minutes, cover the skillet to retain moisture and heat.

Customizing Your Olive Garden Chicken Marsala: Smart Substitutions

While this recipe aims for an authentic Olive Garden experience, life in the kitchen sometimes requires flexibility. Don’t let a missing ingredient deter you from enjoying this fantastic meal! Here are some common variations and smart substitutions you can employ:

Marsala Wine Alternatives

Marsala wine is undoubtedly the star that gives this dish its signature, complex flavor. However, if you find yourself without it:

• Dry Sherry: In a pinch, a dry cooking sherry can serve as a decent substitute. While it won’t perfectly replicate Marsala’s unique profile, it offers a similar fortified wine depth. Avoid sweet sherry, as it will alter the sauce’s intended balance.
• Dry White Wine + Brandy: For a closer approximation, combine a dry white wine (like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc) with a splash of brandy. The white wine provides acidity, and the brandy adds a hint of the fortified, aged flavor Marsala is known for.
• Non-Alcoholic Options: For an alcohol-free version, a rich chicken broth with a touch of red wine vinegar and a hint of brown sugar can mimic some of the depth, though the flavor profile will be noticeably different.

Mushroom Substitutions

The combination of fresh and dried Porcini mushrooms is key to the deep, earthy mushroom flavor. If Porcini are hard to find:

• Double Fresh Mushrooms: Simply double the amount of fresh mushrooms. To add variety and depth, use a mix of different types like cremini (baby bella) and white button mushrooms. You could also explore shiitake or oyster mushrooms for interesting textures and flavors.
• Mushroom Broth: If you’re skipping Porcini, consider using mushroom broth instead of chicken broth to infuse more mushroom flavor into the sauce.

Chicken Options

Chicken tenderloins are preferred for their tenderness and quick cooking, but chicken breasts work wonderfully too:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: If using chicken breasts, you can butterfly them to make them thinner, or slice them into long strips (similar to tenders) for faster and more even cooking. Pound them lightly if they are very thick to ensure tenderness and quick cooking.
• Chicken Thighs: For an even richer flavor and juicier result, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used. They might require a slightly longer cooking time, but their robust flavor stands up beautifully to the Marsala sauce.

Experimentation is part of the joy of cooking, so feel free to adapt these suggestions to suit your pantry and palate!

Elevate Your Meal: Delicious Serving Suggestions

With such a rich and flavorful dish like our Olive Garden Chicken Marsala, the right accompaniments can truly complete the dining experience. The versatility of this dish means you have a wealth of options, whether you prefer classic Italian pairings or something to balance the richness.

Pasta Perfection

For an authentic Olive Garden experience, serving your Chicken Marsala over a bed of al dente pasta is a must. The velvety Marsala sauce is designed to cling beautifully to noodles, ensuring every bite is flavorful:

• Fettuccine: This classic wide, flat pasta is my top recommendation. Its broad surface is perfect for soaking up every drop of that exquisite sauce, just like you’d find at Olive Garden.
• Wide Egg Noodles: A fantastic alternative to fettuccine, wide egg noodles offer a similar satisfying texture and absorb the sauce wonderfully.
• Other Pasta Shapes: Don’t hesitate to use other pasta shapes like penne, rigatoni, or even spaghetti if that’s what you have on hand. The key is to choose a pasta that can hold the sauce well.
• Creamy Risotto: For an even more indulgent meal, consider serving the Chicken Marsala alongside a creamy Parmesan or mushroom risotto.

Fresh Green Balance

To provide a delightful contrast to the richness of the Chicken Marsala, a crisp, refreshing side salad is ideal:

• Simple Green Salad: A mix of fresh greens dressed lightly with a classic oil and vinegar vinaigrette offers a bright, tangy counterpoint. Adding some cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion can enhance the freshness.
• Steamed Green Vegetables: A side of simply steamed or lightly sautéed green vegetables like asparagus, green beans, or broccoli makes for a healthy and vibrant accompaniment. A squeeze of lemon juice over them before serving will brighten their flavor.

The Finishing Touch: Parmesan Cheese

For the truly authentic Olive Garden experience, do not forget the freshly grated Parmesan cheese! Its salty, umami-rich flavor is the perfect complement to the Marsala sauce. Offer it generously at the table – just say when!

Storage & Reheating Tips for Leftovers

One of the best things about homemade Chicken Marsala? The leftovers! This dish often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Proper storage and reheating are key to enjoying your delicious meal again.

Storing Your Leftovers

To keep your Chicken Marsala fresh, transfer any cooled leftovers to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the Chicken Marsala (sauce and chicken) in a freezer-safe container for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating for Optimal Taste and Texture

Reheating can sometimes compromise the texture of chicken, but with a few tips, you can enjoy perfectly delicious leftovers:

• Microwave Method: While convenient, avoid blasting your Chicken Marsala on high heat, which can toughen the chicken. Instead, microwave on about 60-70% power for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated through. This gentle approach helps maintain the chicken’s tenderness and prevents the sauce from separating.
• Stovetop Method: For the best results, gently reheat your Chicken Marsala on the stovetop in a pan over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce seems too thick. Stir occasionally until the chicken is warmed through and the sauce is bubbling gently. This method allows for more even heating and helps retain the dish’s original texture.

No matter how you reheat it, your homemade Olive Garden Chicken Marsala will be a delightful meal to savor once more!

Frequently Asked Questions About Olive Garden Chicken Marsala

If you love a wonderful Marsala and mushroom sauce, be sure to explore another fantastic version: Pork Marsala. It’s another restaurant-quality meal you can effortlessly create in your own kitchen!

And for more delightful culinary adventures bringing your favorite restaurant dishes home, discover this mouth-watering Olive Garden Ravioli Carbonara. It’s the perfect way to continue your delicious Olive Garden experience right at home!