Stuffed Chicken Marsala with Mushroom Sauce Recipe
If you’re looking to impress with a dish that’s both comforting and a bit fancy, you’ve got to try this Stuffed Chicken Marsala with Mushroom Sauce Recipe. It’s everything you love about classic chicken marsala but kicked up a notch with a creamy, cheesy filling that’ll have you coming back for seconds. Trust me, once you taste this, you’ll be adding it to your regular dinner lineup—and I’m here to walk you through every step so you nail it perfectly!
Why This Recipe Works
- Flavor Fusion: Combining the rich mushroom marsala sauce with a creamy, cheesy filling creates layers of deliciousness in every bite.
- Texture Balance: The seared chicken stays juicy, while the topping melts into a gooey, satisfying center.
- Simple Techniques: You don’t need to be a pro chef; with basic steps like searing and broiling, you get restaurant-quality results at home.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This recipe is elegant enough for guests but easy enough for a family weeknight dinner.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients come together beautifully to create that classic Marsala charm, with the cheese blend bringing a lovely richness and the mushrooms packing earthy depth. Shopping tip: grab fresh cremini mushrooms—they add a nutty flavor that’s perfect here.

- Avocado oil: Great for searing chicken because it has a high smoke point and neutral flavor.
- Chicken breasts: Choose plump, boneless and skinless breasts for even cooking and easy stuffing.
- All-purpose flour: Used to thicken the Marsala sauce just right without clumping.
- Butter: Key for richness in both the sauce and sautéing mushrooms.
- Marsala wine: The star of the sauce, lending that sweet, slightly nutty flavor characteristic of classic chicken Marsala.
- Heavy cream: Adds creaminess and smooths out the sauce’s texture.
- Cremini mushrooms: Earthy, meaty mushrooms that soak up flavor perfectly.
- Smoked Gouda cheese: Imparts a smoky richness in the filling that pairs beautifully with the Marsala notes.
- Mozzarella cheese: Melts wonderfully, making the filling luscious and gooey.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds sharp, nutty depth to the mix.
- Breadcrumbs: Helps bind the cheese filling so it holds nicely during cooking.
- Sour cream: Brings moisture and tang, balancing the richness of the cheeses.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Provide a burst of sweet, concentrated flavor that cuts through the creaminess.
- Green onions: Freshness and subtle bite brighten the filling.
- Fresh parsley: Adds a herbaceous punch for balance and color.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning everything perfectly.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love how versatile this Stuffed Chicken Marsala with Mushroom Sauce Recipe is—you can easily swap out ingredients or adjust the flavors to suit your mood or dietary needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment; that’s part of the fun!
- Variation: I sometimes add fresh spinach to my cheese filling for a pop of color and extra nutrients—totally delicious and sneaky healthy!
- Dairy-Free Version: Use a dairy-free cream and cheese alternative. The Marsala sauce still shines on its own, and the mushrooms keep things flavorful.
- Extra Herbs: Try adding thyme or rosemary to the mushroom sauce—herbs really enhance that earthy, savory vibe.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Stuffed Chicken Marsala with Mushroom Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and Butterfly the Chicken
Start by slicing your chicken breasts in half lengthwise, just like a butterfly cut but going all the way through so you get two equal thinner pieces from each breast. This step makes it easier to stuff and fold later. Don’t forget to season both sides with salt and pepper—that’s your base layer of flavor!
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Heat your avocado oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering hot, add the chicken and sear about four minutes each side until golden-brown. Then, reduce to medium-low and cook another minute or so until just done. The key here is to create a nice crust while keeping the chicken juicy—if you overcook now, your stuffed chicken won’t be as tender.
Step 3: Make the Marsala Sauce
Using the same pan (don’t clean it—those flavorful browned bits add magic), melt 2 tablespoons of butter and whisk in the flour to form a roux. Cook for 1–2 minutes to get rid of the raw flour taste. Slowly pour in the Marsala wine, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. After it thickens slightly, add heavy cream and simmer gently. If it gets too thick, loosen the sauce with extra Marsala or a splash of chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 4: Sauté the Mushrooms
In a separate pan, melt one tablespoon of butter and add your sliced cremini mushrooms along with minced garlic. Sauté for about five minutes until golden and fragrant. Once done, fold them right into your marsala sauce, stirring to infuse those savory mushroom flavors throughout.
Step 5: Prepare the Cheese Filling
Grab a medium bowl and mix together the shredded smoked Gouda, mozzarella, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, sour cream, sliced green onions, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and parsley until combined. This filling is the heart of the dish, so make sure it’s evenly mixed and creamy. If your chicken breasts are on the larger side, you might have some leftover filling—that’s fine, you can bake it alongside or save it for another use!
Step 6: Assemble and Broil
Divide the cheese mixture evenly over half of the chicken pieces, then top with their counterpart halves to make sandwiches. Place these stuffed chicken breasts in an oven-safe pan and broil on high for 6 to 8 minutes until the cheese melts and gets bubbly. Watch carefully—broilers can turn things from perfect to burnt quickly!
Step 7: Plate and Serve
Once broiled, plate your stuffed chicken and generously spoon over that luscious mushroom marsala sauce. Your kitchen will be filled with heavenly aromas at this point—time to dig in!
Pro Tips for Making Stuffed Chicken Marsala with Mushroom Sauce Recipe
- Don’t Overstuff: Use just enough cheese filling so the breasts close without spilling—too much can make broiling messy.
- Watch the Broiler: Keep a close eye during broiling to get the cheese perfectly melted without burning.
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Cheese and sour cream at room temp combine more smoothly and melt better inside the chicken.
- Let Rest Briefly: After broiling, let the chicken rest a few minutes to let juices redistribute and avoid losing filling when cutting.
How to Serve Stuffed Chicken Marsala with Mushroom Sauce Recipe

Garnishes
I love to finish this dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a few cracked black peppercorns for that little extra pop of color and freshness. Sometimes, I add a few thinly sliced green onions on top as a nod to the filling and for a subtle crunch.
Side Dishes
Mashed potatoes are my go-to side because they soak up the mushroom sauce so well. I also love pairing this with roasted asparagus or garlicky green beans to add a bright, fresh contrast to the richness of the chicken.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I serve the stuffed chicken whole for a rustic look, letting the sauce pool around it artfully. Another time I sliced the breasts crosswise to reveal that cheesy center, plated over a bed of spinach risotto—it got rave reviews!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually store leftover stuffed chicken in an airtight container in the fridge and try to eat it within 2-3 days. The sauce stays creamy and the chicken remains tasty if reheated gently.
Freezing
This recipe freezes surprisingly well! I assemble and cook the stuffed chicken, then let everything cool before wrapping it tightly in foil or plastic wrap. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven to preserve the sauce and melty cheese.
Reheating
I reheat leftovers covered with foil at 350°F in the oven to warm through evenly without drying out the chicken or making the cheese rubbery. Microwave works in a pinch, but goes better for small bites.
FAQs
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Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this Stuffed Chicken Marsala with Mushroom Sauce Recipe?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs bring extra juiciness and flavor. Just adjust your cooking time slightly as thighs may need a bit longer to cook through fully. Butterfly them just like the breasts for stuffing.
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What’s the best Marsala wine to use in this recipe?
Look for a dry Marsala wine rather than sweet, especially for cooking. It has a balanced flavor that produces a rich sauce without becoming overly sugary. You can find cooking Marsala in most liquor stores or well-stocked supermarkets.
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Can I make the mushroom sauce ahead of time?
Yes! You can make the Marsala mushroom sauce a day ahead and reheat it gently on the stove. Give it a good stir and add a splash of broth or water if it has thickened too much. It keeps the flavors even more melded and saves you time on the day of cooking.
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Is there a gluten-free version of this Stuffed Chicken Marsala with Mushroom Sauce Recipe?
Definitely! Swap the all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs for gluten-free alternatives. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers, and thickening the sauce can be done with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend.
Final Thoughts
This Stuffed Chicken Marsala with Mushroom Sauce Recipe is one of those dishes that turns an ordinary night into something special. I love how it combines elegant flavors with comforting, cheesy goodness that’s approachable for home cooks like us. Give it a try—you’ll enjoy the warm compliments as much as the food itself, and you might just find it becoming a new favorite in your recipe box!
Print
Stuffed Chicken Marsala with Mushroom Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Olive Garden Stuffed Chicken Marsala recipe features juicy chicken breasts stuffed with a savory blend of smoked Gouda, mozzarella, Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, green onions, and fresh parsley. The chicken is seared to perfection and finished under the broiler to melt the cheese filling, then topped with a rich Marsala wine and mushroom sauce for a delicious Italian-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
Chicken and Stuffing
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
- ½ cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes (around 6 pieces), chopped
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce and Cooking
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 3 tbsp butter, divided
- ¾ cup Marsala wine
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 10 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create two equal pieces per breast (butterfly cut all the way through). Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Sear Chicken: Heat avocado oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear until browned, about four minutes per side. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for an additional minute until chicken is cooked through. Remove and set aside on a plate.
- Make Marsala Sauce: In the same pan, add 2 tablespoons of butter and flour. Whisk them together and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in Marsala wine and cook for a few minutes until slightly reduced. Add heavy cream and stir to combine. If sauce is too thick, add extra Marsala wine or a splash of chicken broth. Keep sauce warm on low heat.
- Sauté Mushrooms: In a separate pan, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Add sliced mushrooms and minced garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring often, until mushrooms are tender. Add mushroom mixture to the prepared Marsala sauce and stir to combine.
- Prepare Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine breadcrumbs, sour cream, shredded Gouda, shredded mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, sliced green onions, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh parsley. Mix well to form a uniform filling.
- Stuff Chicken: Divide the cheese mixture evenly over two of the chicken breast pieces. Top each stuffed piece with the corresponding chicken piece to form a sandwich. Use all or part of the cheese mixture depending on chicken size.
- Broil Chicken: Preheat your oven’s broiler to high. Place the stuffed chicken breasts in an oven-safe pan. Broil for 6 to 8 minutes or until the cheese filling is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Plate the stuffed chicken breasts and spoon the mushroom Marsala sauce over the top. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Butterflying the chicken thinly helps it cook evenly and makes stuffing easier.
- If Marsala wine is not available, dry sherry or port can be used as a substitute.
- Adjust the amount of cheese filling to your preference or based on the size of your chicken breasts.
- Using avocado oil is good for high-heat searing; olive oil is an alternative.
- Monitor closely while broiling to avoid burning the cheese topping.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg

