Easy Chicken Marsala Recipe: A Tasty Italian Classic

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with this classic chicken marsala that combines tender meat and rich, earthy flavors.

Mushrooms and sweet wine create a luxurious sauce that feels like a restaurant-quality meal at home.

Professional chefs adore this Italian-inspired dish for its simplicity and depth of taste.

Wine selection matters tremendously, so choose a quality marsala that complements the chicken’s delicate profile.

Restaurants charge premium prices for similar preparations, but you can master this recipe with just a few key ingredients.

Each bite promises a harmony of savory notes that dance across your palate.

Grab your skillet and prepare to impress everyone around your dinner table with this delectable culinary experience.

Why Chicken Marsala Is a Timeless Dish

• Elevate Weeknight Dining: Transform an ordinary dinner into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal cooking skills required, making gourmet cooking accessible for everyone.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for family gatherings, date nights, or impressing guests with its rich, sophisticated flavor profile that appeals to multiple taste preferences.
• Quick Culinary Magic: Prepare a delicious main course in just a few simple steps, combining classic ingredients like chicken, mushrooms, and Marsala wine for a deeply satisfying meal that looks and tastes professionally crafted.
• Adaptable Side Companion: Pair seamlessly with various sides like roasted vegetables, pasta, or mashed potatoes, offering flexibility for different dietary needs and meal combinations.

Ingredients Needed for Chicken Marsala

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

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a light, crispy exterior for the chicken.
• Salt, Black Pepper, Dried Oregano: Provide seasoning and enhance the overall flavor profile of the coating.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Add rich flavor and help achieve a golden-brown crust on the chicken.

• Mushrooms: Add earthy depth and complement the savory sauce.
• Marsala Wine, Sherry: Create a rich, complex sauce with sweet and slightly nutty undertones that tenderize the chicken.

How to Cook Classic Chicken Marsala

Step 1: Create Flavorful Chicken Coating

In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano.

Whisk thoroughly with a fork to break up lumps and ensure an even, uniform seasoning blend.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken for Cooking

Press each chicken breast gently into the seasoned flour mixture, coating both sides evenly. Shake off any excess flour to prevent clumping during cooking.

Step 3: Sizzle Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add butter and olive oil to create a flavorful cooking base.

Place the coated chicken breasts carefully into the hot pan and cook until the bottom turns a beautiful golden-brown.

Step 4: Add Delicious Mushroom Companions

Flip the chicken breasts and scatter fresh mushroom slices around and between them.

Continue cooking for a few more minutes, allowing the mushrooms to soften and release their savory flavors.

Step 5: Create Luxurious Wine Sauce

Pour Marsala wine and sherry over the chicken and mushrooms.

Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid, reduce heat to a gentle simmer, and cook for about 10 minutes, turning the chicken once halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Step 6: Plate and Serve Delightful Dish

Transfer the cooked chicken to serving plates. Spoon the rich mushroom wine sauce generously over each piece.

Garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve immediately alongside your favorite sides like pasta, rice, or roasted vegetables.

Pro Tips for Perfect Chicken Marsala Every Time

• Opt for chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dryness.
• Select fresh, high-quality mushrooms like cremini or shiitake for deeper, richer flavor in the sauce.
• Maintain medium heat while sautéing to achieve a golden-brown crust without burning the chicken or flour coating.
• Use a dry Marsala wine for a more authentic and balanced taste profile in the final dish.
• Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to help retain its juices and ensure maximum tenderness.

Creative Twists on Traditional Chicken Marsala

• Gluten-Free Marsala: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or cornstarch for a celiac-friendly version that maintains crispy chicken coating.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Swap chicken with portobello mushrooms or firm tofu, using similar seasoning and cooking method for a plant-based protein option.
• Low-Alcohol Version: Substitute Marsala wine with chicken broth and a splash of balsamic vinegar to reduce alcohol content while preserving rich flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Herb Variation: Add fresh rosemary and thyme to the flour mixture, incorporating extra aromatic herbs for a more complex taste experience.

Best Pairings to Serve with Chicken Marsala

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a dry Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc that complements the rich Marsala sauce and cuts through the buttery chicken.
• Create Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes: Dice potatoes, toss with olive oil, garlic, and parmesan cheese, then roast until golden brown to provide a perfect starchy side that absorbs the delicious sauce.
• Match with Fresh Arugula Salad: Prepare a light salad with peppery arugula, shaved parmesan, lemon vinaigrette, and toasted pine nuts to balance the heaviness of the Marsala chicken and add bright, fresh flavors.

How to Store Leftover Chicken Marsala

Store leftover Chicken Marsala in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Carefully transfer chicken and sauce to a freezer-safe container, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 2 months, preventing freezer burn.

Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through, stirring sauce midway.

Gently reheat chicken in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth or water, covering and stirring occasionally to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.

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 wine, or white wine with a splash of brandy as alternatives.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The chicken should be white throughout with no pink areas.

• Can I use different types of mushrooms?

Yes, you can use cremini, shiitake, or button mushrooms. Each variety will bring a slightly different flavor and texture to the dish.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The current recipe uses flour for coating, which contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, replace wheat flour with almond flour, cornstarch, or gluten-free flour blend.

Chicken Marsala Recipe

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4.6 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor Italian-American classic Chicken Marsala, where tender chicken breasts dance with rich mushroom sauce and sweet Marsala wine. Elegant yet simple, this dish brings restaurant-quality comfort straight to your kitchen, promising a delightful culinary experience you’ll want to share.

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Ingredients

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Chicken:

• 4 medium skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (pounded to 1/4 inch thickness)

Seasonings and Coating:

• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Cooking Liquids and Extras:

• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup Marsala wine
• 1/4 cup cooking sherry

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Instructions

1. Combine flour, salt, pepper, and oregano in a shallow dish, creating a versatile coating mixture for the chicken.
2. Thoroughly dredge each chicken breast in the seasoned flour, ensuring complete and even coverage.
3. Warm a large skillet over medium heat, melting butter and olive oil together to create a rich cooking base.
4. Carefully place floured chicken breasts into the hot skillet, cooking until a golden-brown crust develops on the first side.
5. Gently turn the chicken, then scatter sliced mushrooms around the meat, allowing them to release their earthy flavors for approximately 2 minutes.
6. Deglaze the skillet by pouring Marsala wine and sherry over the chicken and mushrooms, creating a luxurious sauce.
7. Reduce heat, cover the skillet, and let the chicken simmer for 10 minutes, occasionally turning to ensure even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
8. Verify the chicken is fully cooked through, with internal temperature reaching 165°F.
9. Transfer the succulent chicken to serving plates, generously spooning the wine-infused mushroom sauce over the top.
10. Accompany with complementary side dishes and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Choose chicken breasts of uniform thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent drying out.
• Use a meat mallet to gently pound chicken to about 1/4 inch thickness for faster, more consistent cooking.
• Replace traditional flour with gluten-free alternatives like almond or rice flour for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Select high-quality Marsala wine for deeper, richer flavor complexity in the sauce.
• Pat chicken completely dry before coating to help flour adhere better and create a crispier exterior.
• Add fresh herbs like thyme or parsley at the end for a bright, fresh finish to the dish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 355 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 480 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg