The Juiciest Chicken Marsala Recipe Everyone Will Love

Tucking into a delectable chicken marsala brings pure comfort straight to your plate.

Italian cuisine offers incredible depth through simple ingredients and masterful techniques.

Classic dishes like this one showcase how minimal components can create maximum flavor.

Wine-soaked mushrooms and tender chicken become a culinary symphony that dances across your palate.

Restaurants often charge premium prices for such elegant meals, but making it at home feels wonderfully satisfying.

Mastering this recipe means you can impress dinner companions without spending hours in the kitchen.

Grab your skillet and let’s transform ordinary chicken into an extraordinary dining experience.

Welcome to the World of Chicken Marsala – Here’s How to Make It

• Craft Gourmet Magic: Transform ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality dish with simple cooking techniques that make you feel like a professional chef.
• Minimal Ingredient Challenge: Requires basic pantry staples and a few special ingredients, making this recipe accessible for home cooks without complicated shopping trips.
• One-Pan Wonder: Streamline your cooking process by using a single skillet, reducing cleanup time and simplifying meal preparation for busy households.
• Versatile Dinner Solution: Perfect for date nights, family dinners, or impressing guests with a sophisticated yet approachable Italian-inspired meal that suits multiple dining scenarios.

Ingredients to Gather for Chicken Marsala

• Chicken: A tender and lean protein that serves as the star of the dish and absorbs the rich Marsala sauce.

• All-Purpose Flour: A light and fine powder that helps create a golden, crispy exterior for the chicken.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the flavor of the chicken and provide subtle seasoning.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Fats that provide richness, help with browning, and contribute to the overall flavor profile.
• Mushrooms: A savory ingredient that adds earthy depth and texture to the sauce.
• Shallots, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that provide a complex, slightly sweet, and pungent flavor base.
• Chicken Broth: A liquid that adds depth and helps create the foundational flavor of the sauce.
• Marsala Wine: A sweet and fortified wine that brings a rich, caramelized flavor to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: A luxurious ingredient that helps thicken the sauce and adds a smooth, velvety texture.
• Thyme: A fragrant herb that introduces a subtle, earthy note to the dish.
• Parsley: A fresh herb used for garnish that adds a bright, green finish to the presentation.

How to Prepare Chicken Marsala Easily

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Coating

Grab a ziplock bag and mix flour with salt and pepper. Drop chicken pieces into the bag, seal it tight, and give it a good shake to create an even, delicious coating.

Step 2: Sear Golden Chicken

Heat a combination of olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Gently shake off excess flour from the chicken and place the pieces in the pan.

Cook the chicken, flipping once, until it develops a beautiful golden color and is perfectly cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a clean plate.

Step 3: Sauté Mushrooms

In the same skillet, melt additional butter. Add mushrooms and cook them, stirring frequently, until they become tender and develop a rich, caramelized appearance.

Step 4: Introduce Aromatics

Toss in shallots and garlic, sprinkling a bit of salt. Sauté until the kitchen fills with an irresistible fragrant aroma.

Step 5: Create Luxurious Sauce

• Chicken broth
• Marsala wine
• Heavy cream
• Thyme
• Salt
• Pepper

Scrape up the delicious brown bits from the pan. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and let it simmer uncovered, reducing the sauce by half until it becomes slightly thickened.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Return the cooked chicken and its collected juices to the skillet. Lower the heat and let everything simmer together, allowing the sauce to thicken even more.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley on top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve the Chicken Marsala piping hot and watch everyone’s eyes light up with delight.

Pro Tips to Elevate This Classic Dish

• Choose fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are evenly sized for consistent cooking and tender results.
• Gently shake off excess flour to prevent clumping and ensure a light, crispy exterior on the chicken.
• Use a good-quality Marsala wine from Sicily, preferably dry or semi-sweet, to enhance the sauce's depth and flavor.
• Simmer the sauce uncovered to allow natural reduction, creating a rich, concentrated flavor without making it too thick or thin.
• Cook mushrooms until they release moisture and develop a golden-brown color for maximum flavor and texture.

Variations to Customize Your Marsala

• Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Marsala: Add diced jalapeños to the mushroom mixture for a fiery kick and extra heat.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken Marsala: Incorporate rosemary, oregano, and sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor profile.
• Smoky Bacon Chicken Marsala: Crisp bacon pieces and sprinkle on top before serving, adding a rich smoky element to the dish.
• Vegetarian Mushroom Marsala: Replace chicken with portobello mushroom steaks, keeping the classic sauce and cooking technique intact.

Pairing Ideas That Compliment Chicken Marsala

• Uncork Robust Red Wine: Medium-bodied Italian reds like Chianti or Sangiovese complement the rich, savory Marsala sauce with their balanced acidity and fruity undertones.
• Create Creamy Sidekick: Smooth parmesan polenta or garlic mashed potatoes provide a luxurious base that soaks up the delectable Marsala sauce, enhancing every delightful bite.
• Brighten with Fresh Greens: Crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the dish's richness, adding a zesty contrast that refreshes the palate and balances the heavy sauce.

How to Store Chicken Marsala Leftovers

• Store leftover Chicken Marsala in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, ensuring the sauce and chicken are completely cooled before sealing.
• Transfer chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place chicken and sauce in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until thoroughly warmed.

FAQs

• What type of wine is used in Chicken Marsala?

Marsala wine, a fortified wine from Sicily, Italy, gives the dish its distinctive rich and slightly sweet flavor.

• Can I substitute the Marsala wine?

While authentic Marsala wine is preferred, you can use dry sherry or Madeira as alternatives, though the flavor profile will slightly change.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring it’s safe to eat while remaining juicy.

• Why is it important to shake off excess flour?

Shaking off excess flour prevents the chicken from becoming too heavily coated, which can result in a gummy or thick exterior instead of a light, golden crisp.

Chicken Marsala Recipe

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4.8 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful chicken marsala brings Italian culinary magic straight to dinner tables with tender chicken breasts simmered in rich mushroom wine sauce. Savory flavors blend seamlessly, offering you a restaurant-quality meal that promises comfort and elegance in every delicious bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded 1/4-inch thick
• 1 (8-ounce) package pre-sliced bella or button mushrooms
• 2/3 cup dry Marsala wine
• 2/3 cup chicken broth
• 2/3 cup heavy cream

Seasonings and Spices:

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

Cooking Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped shallots (from 1 medium shallot)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare a seasoned flour mixture by combining flour, salt, and pepper in a ziplock bag. Add chicken pieces and thoroughly coat by shaking the sealed bag.
2. Preheat a large skillet with olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Remove excess flour from chicken and carefully place into hot pan. Sear each side for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
3. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and introduce mushrooms. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring consistently to ensure even cooking and caramelization.
4. Incorporate shallots, garlic, and additional salt. Cook briefly until aromatic, approximately 1-2 minutes.
5. Deglaze the pan by adding chicken broth, Marsala wine, heavy cream, thyme, salt, and pepper. Use a wooden spoon to scrape accumulated browned bits from skillet bottom. Simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes, allowing sauce to reduce and thicken naturally.
6. Gently return seared chicken and accumulated juices to the skillet. Reduce heat to low and continue simmering for 2-3 minutes, enabling sauce to reach desired consistency.
7. Finish the dish by sprinkling fresh chopped parsley over the top and serve immediately while hot.

Notes

• Flour coating helps create a crispy, golden exterior that seals in the chicken’s moisture and adds delightful texture to the dish.
• Choose a dry Marsala wine for the most authentic flavor, which balances sweetness and depth in the sauce.
• Pat chicken breasts dry before flouring to ensure maximum crispiness and prevent soggy coating.
• For a gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with almond flour or cornstarch, maintaining the same coating technique.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 132
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 187 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 2.5 g
• Fiber: 0.3 g
• Protein: 17 g
• Cholesterol: 52 mg