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.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if using gluten-free flour or cornstarch)
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Chicken Marsala, Easy Chicken Marsala, Italian Chicken Recipe, Mushroom Marsala Sauce, Weeknight Dinner, Gluten-free Chicken Dish