If Chicken Marsala Casserole sounds like something you’d order at a little Italian spot and then daydream about for the next three days… same. And the best part? You can make that rich, cozy vibe happen at home—in one humble 9×13 dish—without doing a sink-full of dishes (because honestly, who has the emotional bandwidth for that?).
This is the kind of dinner that saves a busy weeknight and feels fancy enough for company. You get tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, a creamy Marsala sauce, and brown rice that cooks right in the casserole. It’s comfort food with a tiny blazer on—still cozy, just a little more put-together.
I’m Aneta from Chicken Magic Recipes, and if there’s one thing I love, it’s turning “sounds complicated” into “wow, that was easy.” Let’s make some chicken magic.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Marsala Casserole
- One pan, big payoff. It tastes like you worked harder than you did.
- Weeknight-friendly. The steps are simple, and the oven does the heavy lifting.
- Family-proof. Creamy sauce + chicken + rice = picky-eater peace treaty.
- Leftovers are even better. The flavors settle in overnight like they own the place.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 16 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1½ tablespoons flour
- ½ cup Marsala wine (or white wine)
- ½ cup fat-free half & half
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup uncooked brown rice
- 2 cups coarsely chopped cooked chicken (or about 1½ cups shredded cooked chicken)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
How to Make Chicken Marsala Casserole
1) Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Grease a 9×13 casserole dish. This is your future self saying thank you—because scraping baked-on sauce is not a hobby.
2) Build the Flavor Base
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt together the butter and olive oil.
Add the onion and mushrooms. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring now and then, until the onions soften and the mushrooms release their juices.
Add garlic, then season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, just until it smells like you know what you’re doing.
3) Make the Sauce
Sprinkle the flour over the veggies. Stir and cook for about 1 minute—this helps the sauce thicken and keeps it from tasting like raw flour (nobody wants “flour vibes” in their dinner).
Slowly pour in the Marsala wine (or white wine). Bring it to a gentle simmer and cook for 2–3 minutes until it starts to thicken a little.
Stir in the half & half, cooking for about 2 minutes, stirring the whole time.
Pour in the chicken broth, stirring until everything looks smooth and cozy. Let it gently heat for 2–3 minutes.
4) Assemble the Casserole
Spread the uncooked brown rice evenly in the bottom of your greased casserole dish.
Add the cooked chicken on top, spreading it out so every scoop later has chicken (because the “I only got rice” complaint is very real).
Pour the mushroom Marsala sauce over everything, spreading it so the rice is fully covered.
Sprinkle the fresh parsley on top for a pop of brightness. (If your family side-eyes green things, tell them it’s “confetti.” Works weirdly often.)
5) Bake
Cover tightly with foil—tight matters here because the rice needs steam to cook.
Bake for about 45 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and the rice is tender.
If the rice isn’t fully cooked after 45 minutes, bump the oven to 400°F (200°C) and keep baking until it’s done.
6) Finish Like a Pro
Once the rice is tender, remove the foil.
Sprinkle the Parmesan evenly across the top and return to the oven for 5 more minutes, until the cheese melts and turns a little golden.
7) Serve
Let the casserole sit for a few minutes before serving. It thickens slightly and holds together better—kind of like us after a deep breath.
Scoop it onto plates and enjoy that creamy, savory Chicken Marsala Casserole goodness.
Aneta’s Tips for Foolproof Results
- Cover it like you mean it. If foil is loose, steam escapes and your brown rice might stay crunchy. Nobody wants “surprise al dente” rice.
- Mushrooms = flavor sponge. Don’t rush them. Let them cook until they give up their liquid and start turning golden. That’s where the deep, savory flavor comes from.
- Sauce too thick? Add a splash more broth before baking.
- Sauce too thin? Simmer it one extra minute before pouring it into the dish.
- Wine swap: If you’re using white wine, go for something dry. Sweet can throw the whole flavor balance off.
- Don’t stress if the sauce looks a little weird at first. It happens when dairy meets heat. Keep stirring—it’ll smooth out. (Like life. Except faster.)
A Little Story From My Kitchen
The first time I made a Marsala-style dish at home, I thought it had to be “restaurant-level complicated.” Spoiler: it does not. I was also juggling a busy day and a very hungry household—so I turned it into a casserole with rice and everything baked together.
And let me tell you… the silence at the dinner table? That magical, rare, “everyone is eating and not asking questions” silence? That’s how I knew it was a keeper.
Now it’s one of my go-to meals when I want comfort food that feels special—without turning my kitchen into a disaster zone.

FAQs About Chicken Marsala Casserole
Can I make Chicken Marsala Casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can prep the sauce and chop the cooked chicken ahead. When you’re ready, assemble and bake. If everything is cold from the fridge, add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
What’s the best cooked chicken to use?
Rotisserie chicken is the busy-day hero here. Leftover baked chicken or poached chicken works great too—anything cooked and ready to go.
Can I use white rice instead of brown rice?
You can, but white rice cooks faster and may turn mushy if baked the full time. If you switch, reduce bake time and keep an eye on the liquid level.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days. Reheat with a splash of broth to bring the creamy texture back.
Can I freeze it?
Yes—freeze in portions for easy lunches. The rice may soften a bit when reheated, but the flavor stays delicious.
Bring Some Magic to Dinner Tonight
If you’ve been craving something cozy, creamy, and “I totally have my life together”-level satisfying, this Chicken Marsala Casserole is it. It’s comforting without being fussy, hearty without being heavy, and it turns an ordinary night into something that feels like a little win.
Make it once, and I’m betting it’ll slide right into your regular rotation—because when dinner tastes this good and cleanup stays reasonable, that’s real kitchen magic.
Keep the Chicken Magic Going
If you loved the cozy, creamy vibe of Chicken Marsala Casserole, here are a few more feel-good dinners you might want to try next—because having a “backup plan” meal is basically a life skill:
- Craving another warm, creamy bake? Try Creamy Asparagus Chicken Casserole for a fresh, cozy twist.
- Want a bold casserole night with a little kick? Buffalo Chicken Casserole brings the fun (and the flavor) without extra stress.
- If you’re in a “dump it, bake it, done” mood, you’ll love Dump and Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole—perfect for those I can’t even evenings.
- And if you’re all about that creamy sauce life, don’t miss Chicken with Boursin Sauce for a rich, dreamy dinner that feels restaurant-ish at home.
Before you go—if you made this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leave a quick review and tap your star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (be honest—your stars help other readers pick their next dinner too!).
Chicken Marsala Casserole
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Creamy, cozy, and packed with flavor, this Chicken Marsala Casserole combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and brown rice baked in a rich Marsala cream sauce. It’s an easy one-pan dinner that feels special enough for guests but simple enough for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
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2 tablespoons butter
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 small onion, diced
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5 cloves garlic, minced
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16 ounces mushrooms, sliced
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1½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
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½ cup Marsala wine (or dry white wine)
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½ cup fat-free half & half
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2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or stock
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1 teaspoon salt
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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1 cup uncooked brown rice
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2 cups coarsely chopped cooked chicken (or 1½ cups shredded chicken)
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¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
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2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
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Cook vegetables: In a large skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and mushrooms. Cook 5–7 minutes until softened and mushrooms release their juices.
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Add garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle flour over mixture and cook another minute.
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Make sauce: Slowly pour in Marsala wine and simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Stir in half & half and cook 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and simmer 2–3 minutes until combined and slightly thickened.
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Assemble casserole: Spread uncooked brown rice evenly in prepared dish. Top with cooked chicken. Pour mushroom Marsala sauce evenly over the top. Sprinkle parsley over mixture.
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Bake: Cover tightly with foil and bake 45 minutes, or until rice is tender and casserole is bubbly. If needed, increase oven to 400°F and bake a few additional minutes until rice is fully cooked.
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Remove foil, sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top, and return to oven for 5 minutes until melted and lightly golden.
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Let rest 5 minutes before serving
Notes
Make sure the foil is tightly sealed to allow the rice to steam properly.
Rotisserie chicken works perfectly in this recipe.
If sauce seems too thick before baking, add 2–3 tablespoons extra broth.
Leftovers store well for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (about 1½ cups)
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 640 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg