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Easy and Flavorful Chicken Marsala Recipe

Easy and Flavorful Chicken Marsala Recipe

Easy and Flavorful Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts sautéed to golden perfection and enveloped in a rich mushroom and Marsala wine sauce. Ready in about 30 minutes, this recipe combines simple pantry staples and fresh ingredients to deliver a deeply savory, restaurant-quality meal perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Dredging

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour/cornstarch for gluten-free version)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Fats

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter, divided

Sauce and Aromatics

  • 8 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, sliced (or shiitake/portobello for variation)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 shallots, finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup dry Marsala wine (or grape juice with a splash of vinegar for non-alcoholic)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Pound chicken breasts to an even 1/2-inch thickness for consistent cooking. Lightly season each piece with salt and pepper, then dredge them in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess to ensure a thin, even coating.
  2. Sauté the chicken: Heat a mix of olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside while you build the sauce.
  3. Cook the mushrooms and aromatics: In the same pan, add a little more butter if needed and toss in sliced mushrooms, garlic, and shallots. Sauté until the mushrooms release their moisture and become tender and golden, approximately 5 minutes.
  4. Make the Marsala sauce: Pour Marsala wine into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Simmer for a few minutes until the wine reduces by half. Stir in chicken broth and let the sauce thicken slightly to a silky consistency.
  5. Combine everything: Return the chicken to the skillet, coating it with the rich Marsala sauce. Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for a few minutes, absorbing all those savory flavors before garnishing with fresh parsley and serving.

Notes

  • Use room temperature chicken to help it cook evenly and stay tender.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan; give the chicken space to brown properly for the best texture.
  • Use a good-quality dry Marsala wine for authentic flavor; avoid cooking wines with salt.
  • Pat mushrooms dry to help them brown nicely instead of steaming.
  • Simmer sauce gently to avoid bitterness; don’t boil too hard.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Marsala, Easy Chicken Marsala, Italian Chicken Recipe, Mushroom Marsala Sauce, Weeknight Dinner, Gluten-free Chicken Dish