The Best Chicken Marsala Recipe: Savory Elegance Made Simple

Crafting an authentic chicken marsala brings pure culinary magic to your dinner table.

Wine-soaked mushrooms create incredible depth in this classic Italian-inspired dish.

Tender chicken breasts absorb rich, complex flavors during careful preparation.

Restaurants charge premium prices for meals that you can easily master at home.

Delicate herbs and premium ingredients make each bite incredibly satisfying.

Simple techniques unlock professional-level cooking skills in your kitchen.

Delicious comfort awaits when you explore this irresistible recipe.

Kitchen Rockstar: Best Chicken Marsala Recipe

• Boost Culinary Confidence: Master a restaurant-quality dish that impresses family and friends with professional cooking techniques right in your own kitchen.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Prepare a gourmet meal in less than 30 minutes without complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients, making dinner both delicious and stress-free.
• Versatile Flavor Profile: Create a rich, savory dish that pairs perfectly with multiple side dishes, from creamy mashed potatoes to al dente pasta, satisfying different taste preferences.
• Ingredient Accessibility: Use common pantry staples and readily available ingredients like chicken, mushrooms, and Marsala wine, eliminating the need for special shopping trips.

Ingredients for Show-Stopping Chicken Marsala

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender meat that serves as the main protein in this classic Italian-American dish.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides a light, crispy coating for the chicken and helps thicken the sauce.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the chicken.
• Minced Garlic: Adds a rich, pungent flavor that complements the savory mushroom sauce.

• Olive Oil: Helps create a golden-brown crust on the chicken and adds a subtle fruity flavor.
• Butter: Provides a rich, creamy base for sautéing mushrooms and adding depth to the sauce.

• Marsala Wine: A sweet fortified wine that gives the sauce its signature rich and complex flavor.
• Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and deepens the overall savory profile of the sauce.

• Sliced Mushrooms: Provides an earthy, meaty texture and absorbs the delicious sauce flavors.

Stepwise Chicken Marsala Preparation Guide

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

Take your chicken breasts and give them a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper. Then roll them through flour, making sure every inch gets a beautiful white coating.

Shake off any excess flour to keep things light and crispy.

Step 2: Sizzle the Chicken

Fire up a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat.

Carefully place the flour-dusted chicken into the hot pan. Let them dance and sizzle for 3-4 minutes on each side until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Once perfectly cooked, transfer the chicken to a waiting plate.

Step 3: Mushroom Magic

In the same sizzling skillet, drop in some butter.

• Cremini mushrooms
• Button mushrooms

Watch them transform and brown beautifully for 5-6 minutes. Sprinkle in fresh minced garlic and let it become fragrant for another minute.

Step 4: Create the Sauce

• Marsala wine
• Chicken broth

Scrape up all those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the sauce bubble and reduce for 3-4 minutes, concentrating those incredible flavors.

Step 5: Bring It All Together

Gently return the chicken to the skillet. Spoon the mushroom sauce all over the chicken, letting everything mingle and get acquainted for about 5 minutes.

Step 6: Plate and Devour

Transfer the chicken to your serving plates. Lavish each piece with extra mushroom sauce.

Serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes, al dente pasta, or whatever side makes your taste buds dance.

Tips to Impress with Chicken Marsala

• Choose fresh, organic chicken breasts for the most tender and flavorful result, ensuring even thickness by gently pounding them before cooking.
• Shake off excess flour after dredging to prevent clumping and achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that seals in the chicken's moisture.
• Use a mix of button and cremini mushrooms for deeper flavor complexity, and avoid overcrowding the pan to get that beautiful caramelized texture.
• Pick a dry Marsala wine from Sicily for authentic taste – avoid cooking wines, which can add unwanted saltiness to your sauce.
• If the sauce seems too thin, whisk in a small amount of cornstarch mixed with cold water to achieve the ideal silky consistency without compromising flavor.

Variations to Elevate Your Marsala Dish

• Spicy Marsala Kick: Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the flour mixture for a fiery flavor boost.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace Marsala wine with white wine and add sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
• Creamy Mushroom Style: Stir in heavy cream or cream cheese at the end to create a rich, velvety sauce texture.
• Herb-Infused Version: Mix fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley into the flour coating for an aromatic herbal enhancement.

Pairing Ideas for Chicken Marsala

• Pair Creamy Parmesan Risotto: A luxurious, velvety side dish that complements the rich Marsala sauce and absorbs its savory flavors perfectly.
• Uncork Bold Italian Red Wine: Select a Chianti or Sangiovese that matches the wine's depth in the Marsala sauce, enhancing the chicken's robust taste.
• Sprinkle Fresh Herb Garnish: Chop parsley or thyme to add brightness and cut through the sauce's richness, providing a fresh counterpoint to the hearty dish.
• Serve Roasted Asparagus: Lightly seasoned roasted asparagus brings a crisp texture and earthy undertone that balances the creamy, tender chicken Marsala.

Storage Tips for Chicken Marsala Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed chicken marsala will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Transfer chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.

Warm chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir gently and heat until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to distribute heat evenly.

FAQs

• What is Marsala wine, and can I substitute it?

Marsala is a fortified wine from Sicily, Italy. If unavailable, you can use dry sherry, Madeira, or dry white wine as alternatives.

• How do I prevent the chicken from becoming tough?

Use a meat mallet to pound chicken breasts to an even thickness before cooking. This ensures uniform cooking and helps keep the meat tender and juicy.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, replace all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend when dredging the chicken. This maintains the crispy coating without gluten.

• Why should I scrape the browned bits from the skillet?

The browned bits, called fond, contain concentrated flavor that adds depth to the sauce. Scraping these bits helps create a more delicious and complex sauce.

The Best Chicken Marsala Recipe

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4.9 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken marsala dances with rich mushroom sauce, bringing Italian-American comfort to your dinner table. Crispy, golden chicken and earthy mushrooms meld perfectly, offering a restaurant-quality experience you’ll savor with every delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 chicken breasts, pounded thin

Coating and Thickening:

• 1/2 cup (60 g) flour

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Liquid Components:

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) Marsala wine
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) chicken broth

Vegetables:

• 1 cup (200 g) mushrooms, sliced

Fats and Oils:

• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 g) butter

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Instructions

1. Coat chicken breasts thoroughly with seasoned flour, ensuring an even, light layer that will create a golden exterior when cooked.
2. Preheat a large skillet to medium-high heat with olive oil, creating a sizzling surface for perfect chicken searing.
3. Carefully place floured chicken into the hot skillet, cooking each side for 3-4 minutes until a rich, caramel-brown crust develops. Transfer chicken to a holding plate.
4. Reduce skillet heat and melt butter, then introduce sliced mushrooms. Saute for 5-6 minutes, allowing them to caramelize and release their earthy flavors.
5. Add minced garlic to the mushrooms, stirring quickly to prevent burning and infuse aromatic depth into the mixture.
6. Deglaze the skillet with Marsala wine and chicken broth, scraping accumulated browned bits from the pan’s surface to incorporate rich, concentrated flavors.
7. Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to reduce and concentrate its complex taste profile.
8. Gently return seared chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces into the luxurious mushroom sauce.
9. Allow chicken to warm through and absorb sauce flavors for an additional 5 minutes, creating a harmonious, succulent dish.
10. Transfer chicken to serving plates, generously spooning mushroom-laden Marsala sauce over the top for a final dramatic presentation.

Notes

• Use chicken cutlets instead of whole breasts for faster, more even cooking that helps achieve a perfect golden-brown exterior.
• Ensure flour coating is light and even by using a shallow dish and gently pressing chicken into flour to create a delicate, crispy layer.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help flour adhere better and create a crispier crust that locks in moisture.
• Choose a dry Marsala wine for a more balanced and less sweet sauce that complements the savory chicken and mushrooms.
• For a gluten-free version, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or almond flour to maintain the crispy texture without compromising flavor.
• Slice mushrooms uniformly to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg