No, Olive Garden has not gotten rid of the chicken Marsala from their menu. Chicken Marsala remains a popular menu item at Olive Garden locations nationwide.
What is Chicken Marsala?
Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian chicken dish made with sautéed chicken breast, mushrooms, and Marsala wine sauce. It has been a staple menu item at Olive Garden for years.
The dish features boneless chicken breast cooked with fresh mushrooms and onions in a Marsala wine sauce. The wine sauce has a sweet, rich flavor that perfectly complements the juicy chicken and mushrooms.
Olive Garden serves the chicken Marsala with a side of fettuccine noodles or risotto. Customers can also substitute grilled chicken for the traditional sautéed chicken breast.
Why People Thought It Was Discontinued
In July 2022, some customers expressed concern on social media that Olive Garden had removed chicken Marsala from their menu. This led to speculation that the popular entrée had been discontinued.
However, Olive Garden responded to several customers on Twitter to confirm that chicken Marsala was still available. The menu mix-up seems to have been caused by supply chain issues affecting some locations.
With nationwide food shortages due to pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, some Olive Garden locations may have temporarily run out of ingredients for chicken Marsala. But it remained on the national menu.
Chicken Marsala Availability
Olive Garden has not discontinued or removed chicken Marsala from their menu. It continues to be a menu staple due to its popularity among customers.
However, there may be occasional availability issues at some locations. Customers who don’t see chicken Marsala on their local Olive Garden’s menu are encouraged to ask their server about it.
With over 800 Olive Garden restaurants in the U.S., it’s not unusual for temporary location-specific shortages to occur. But the company states that they are working diligently to minimize disruptions.
Ways to Check Chicken Marsala Availability
- Ask server upon arrival if chicken Marsala is available
- Check restaurant’s online menu for listing of chicken Marsala
- Call ahead to ask if chicken Marsala can be prepared
Olive Garden aims for a consistent national menu. But they recommend that customers call ahead if concerned that a specific menu item may not be available on a given day.
History of Chicken Marsala at Olive Garden
Olive Garden first introduced chicken Marsala in 1995 when they launched their ‘Hospitaliano’ branding campaign. The dish quickly became one of their most popular menu items.
Chicken Marsala appealed to customers seeking an Italian chicken entrée beyond the standard pasta dishes. Its savory wine sauce and mushrooms made it stand out as a heartier option.
By 2002 chicken Marsala had become Olive Garden’s #1 top-selling non-pasta entrée. Today it remains a signature menu item along with staples like lasagna and fettuccine alfredo.
Key Facts About Chicken Marsala at Olive Garden
- Introduced in 1995
- Olive Garden’s top chicken dish
- Featured marsala wine sauce and mushrooms
- Original preparation uses sautéed chicken breast
- Served with fettuccine noodles or risotto
Nutritional Information
Chicken Marsala is a relatively healthy menu option at Olive Garden. Here are the approximate nutritional facts for a standard chicken Marsala order:
| Nutrition Facts | Chicken Marsala with Fettuccine |
|---|---|
| Calories | 800 |
| Carbohydrates | 57g |
| Protein | 54g |
| Fat | 32g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Sodium | 1550mg |
Chicken Marsala delivers a good serving of protein along with vitamins and minerals from the mushrooms. The Marsala wine sauce adds a boost of antioxidants. Ordering the dish with grilled chicken and a vegetable side can make this a healthy Italian meal.
Variations on the Original
While traditional chicken Marsala features sautéed chicken breast, Olive Garden offers some variations on the original dish:
- Grilled chicken – Replaces the sautéed chicken with grilled chicken for a lower fat option.
- Shrimp Marsala – Substitutes shrimp for chicken to create a seafood Marsala dish.
- Cauliflower Marsala – Swaps chicken for cauliflower to make a vegetarian Marsala entrée.
- Marsala sauce – Customers can order marsala sauce on the side to use with other menu items.
These alternatives allow customers to get the Marsala flavor while customizing to their dietary needs and preferences.
Where to Find Marsala Wine
Marsala wine originated in Sicily and gives this chicken dish its signature flavor. If you want to recreate chicken Marsala at home, you’ll need a bottle of Marsala wine.
Marsala can be found at most liquor stores alongside other fortified wines like sherry and port. The two main styles are:
- Sweet Marsala – Made from white grapes with caramel added. Most commonly used in cooking.
- Dry Marsala – Made from white grapes in a drier style typically reserved for sipping.
For chicken Marsala, a sweet Marsala is preferred to give the sauce rich caramelized notes. Some of the most popular brands include Florio, Pellegrino, and Rallo.
Price Range for Marsala
| Marsala Style | Average Price Range |
|---|---|
| Sweet cooking Marsala | $8 – $15 per 750ml |
| Fine dry Marsala | $15 – $25 per 750ml |
Cooking Marsala is very affordable at around $10 a bottle. Dry Marsala for drinking tends to cost slightly more. Overall, Marsala offers an inexpensive way to add big flavor to chicken dishes.
Get the Chicken Marsala Experience at Home
You don’t need to rely on dining at Olive Garden to enjoy chicken Marsala. Consider making it at home with this easy recipe:
Olive Garden Copycat Chicken Marsala
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup flour
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 1/4 cup Marsala wine
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- Fettuccine noodles or risotto, for serving
- Pound chicken breasts thin and coat in flour.
- Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken 5 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken and add mushrooms to the pan. Cook 5 minutes.
- Stir in Marsala wine and chicken broth. Return chicken to pan and simmer 10 minutes.
- Serve chicken and sauce over fettuccine or risotto.
This simple recipe lets you enjoy restaurant-quality chicken Marsala in your own kitchen for a fraction of the price. Pair it with a Caesar salad and some wine for the full Italian meal experience.
Conclusion
Chicken Marsala remains a beloved classic on Olive Garden’s menu despite rumors of it being discontinued. Supply chain issues may occasionally cause temporary outages at some locations. But it continues to be a staple menu item customers can enjoy.
Olive Garden’s chicken Marsala delivers a taste of Italy with its marsala wine sauce and mushrooms. Customers craving this dish can check availability at their local restaurant or even cook up an easy version at home. So fear not – chicken Marsala is still alive and well at Olive Garden restaurants nationwide.