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Chicken Marsala

Chicken Marsala

Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich, savory mushroom and Marsala wine sauce. This recipe is quick and easy to prepare, perfect for cozy dinners, delivering restaurant-quality flavor with simple ingredients and straightforward steps. Ideal for both experienced cooks and kitchen beginners, it offers a balanced, flavorful meal suitable for family dining and adaptable for various dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 large chicken breasts, thinly sliced or pounded
  • 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup Marsala wine (sweet)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour as needed)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Trim the chicken breasts and pound them to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking and tenderness. Lightly season each piece with salt and pepper, then dust them with flour to create a gentle crust for searing.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat a mixture of butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and set aside to rest.
  3. Sauté Mushrooms and Aromatics: In the same pan, add additional butter and toss in the sliced mushrooms. Cook until their juices are released and they turn golden. Add the minced garlic and shallots, stirring until fragrant and translucent.
  4. Deglaze and Make the Sauce: Pour the Marsala wine into the pan to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom for added flavor. Let the wine simmer and reduce by half, then add the chicken broth and continue to simmer until the sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken to the pan, coating it thoroughly with the mushroom Marsala sauce. Cook together for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Pat chicken dry before dredging in flour to achieve a crispy crust.
  • Cook chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan; this prevents steaming.
  • Use quality sweet Marsala wine for authentic flavor.
  • Simmer sauce gently on moderate heat to avoid burning and develop depth.
  • Allow chicken to rest briefly after cooking to retain juiciness and tenderness.
  • For a richer sauce, add heavy cream at the end of cooking.
  • To make gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free flour or cornstarch.
  • Experiment with different mushrooms and herbs like thyme or rosemary for unique variations.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Marsala, Italian-American, mushroom sauce, Marsala wine, quick dinner, gluten free option, creamy sauce option