A rich and elegant dish featuring tender chicken in a savory Marsala wine and mushroom sauce. This Chicken Marsala is perfect for a romantic dinner at home, offering a restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly easy to make. Serve it with pasta or mashed potatoes for a truly special experience.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Elegant yet easy – A gourmet dish ready in just 30 minutes.
- Rich and flavorful – The Marsala wine sauce adds depth and sophistication.
- Perfect for special occasions – Ideal for date nights, Valentine’s Day, or celebrations.
- Versatile serving options – Pair with pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
- One-pan meal – Fewer dishes, more flavor!
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper
- All-purpose flour
- Olive oil
- Mushrooms, sliced
- Garlic, minced
- Marsala wine
- Chicken broth
- Unsalted butter
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Directions
- Prepare the Chicken – Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Dredge them in flour, shaking off any excess.
- Cook the Chicken – Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Mushrooms – In the same skillet, add the mushrooms and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are browned and tender.
- Make the Sauce – Pour in the Marsala wine and chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly. Stir in the butter until melted.
- Combine and Serve – Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Simmer for 1-2 minutes to absorb the flavors. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with pasta or mashed potatoes.
Servings and Timing
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 2 servings
- Calories: Approximately 420 kcal per serving
Variations
- Creamy Marsala – Stir in ¼ cup of heavy cream for a richer sauce.
- Gluten-free option – Use gluten-free flour for dredging.
- Non-alcoholic version – Substitute Marsala wine with grape juice mixed with a splash of balsamic vinegar.
- Extra veggies – Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for more depth.
- Different proteins – Try this recipe with boneless chicken thighs for extra juiciness.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
FAQs
What can I serve with Chicken Marsala?
It pairs well with pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or crusty bread.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Chicken thighs add extra flavor and stay juicy.
What if I don’t have Marsala wine?
You can substitute with Madeira wine or dry sherry for a similar depth of flavor.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the chicken and sauce separately, then reheat and combine before serving.
How do I thicken the sauce?
If you want a thicker sauce, mix 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 teaspoons of water and stir it in while simmering.
Is Chicken Marsala gluten-free?
Not by default, but you can use gluten-free flour for dredging the chicken.
Can I make a dairy-free version?
Yes! Simply omit the butter or replace it with a dairy-free alternative.
What mushrooms work best for this dish?
Cremini, baby bella, or white button mushrooms all work well.
Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
It’s best to cook the chicken fresh, but you can add pre-cooked chicken to the sauce for a quick version.
How do I make the dish more flavorful?
Let the wine reduce fully and season the sauce to taste with extra garlic or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Conclusion
Chicken Marsala is a simple yet elegant dish that’s perfect for a romantic dinner or a cozy meal at home. With its rich wine sauce, tender chicken, and deep flavors, this recipe is sure to impress. Try it tonight and enjoy a restaurant-worthy meal in just 30 minutes!
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Chicken Marsala
This Chicken Marsala features tender chicken breasts in a rich, savory Marsala wine and mushroom sauce. A restaurant-quality dish that’s surprisingly easy to make in just 30 minutes, perfect for date nights, special occasions, or an elegant weeknight dinner. Serve with pasta or mashed potatoes for a comforting meal!
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to even thickness)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for GF option)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced (cremini, baby bella, or white button)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup Marsala wine
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1️⃣ Prepare the Chicken – Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour, shaking off excess.
2️⃣ Cook the Chicken – Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3️⃣ Sauté the Mushrooms – In the same skillet, add mushrooms and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are browned.
4️⃣ Make the Sauce – Pour in Marsala wine and chicken broth, scraping the pan to deglaze. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly reduced. Stir in butter until melted.
5️⃣ Combine and Serve – Return chicken to the skillet and spoon the sauce over it. Simmer for 1-2 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with pasta or mashed potatoes.
Notes
✔ Creamy Marsala – Stir in ¼ cup heavy cream for a richer sauce.
✔ Gluten-free option – Use gluten-free flour for dredging.
✔ Non-alcoholic substitute – Use grape juice + a splash of balsamic vinegar instead of Marsala wine.
✔ Extra veggies – Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra depth.
✔ Different proteins – Try chicken thighs for a juicier alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Searing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free
