Quick & Savory Classic Chicken Marsala Recipe for Tonight
Crafting an authentic classic chicken marsala delivers pure culinary comfort straight to your plate.
Rich Italian traditions inspire this delectable dish with tender chicken and robust mushroom flavors.
Wine-infused sauce creates magical moments around the dinner table.
Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore this simple yet sophisticated meal.
Mediterranean ingredients merge beautifully in every delightful bite.
Fragrant herbs and perfectly seared chicken promise a restaurant-quality experience at home.
You’ll want to savor each mouthwatering forkful with pure delight.
The Sauce! The Mushrooms! Why Chicken Marsala Reigns Supreme
Here’s What You’ll Need to Make Marsala Shine
For the Protein:For the Seasoning and Coating:For the Cooking and Sauce Base:For the Aromatics and Garnish:Sauté, Simmer, Serve – Marsala Made Simple
Step 1: Prepare Chicken
Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet. This helps the chicken cook evenly and ensures a tender bite.
Step 2: Season and Coat Chicken
Sprinkle salt and pepper over the chicken. Dust each piece with flour, gently shaking off any excess to create a light, crispy exterior.
Step 3: Heat Cooking Pan
Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it starts to shimmer and dance with heat.
Step 4: Cook Chicken to Golden Perfection
Carefully place floured chicken into the hot skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until you see beautiful golden-brown edges forming.
Step 5: Keep Chicken Warm
Transfer the browned chicken to a plate and loosely cover to maintain its warmth and juiciness.
Step 6: Sauté Mushrooms
In the same skillet, melt butter and add mushroom slices. Cook until they release their moisture and turn a rich golden brown.
Step 7: Add Aromatic Garlic
Toss in minced garlic, stirring quickly to prevent burning and release its incredible fragrance.
Step 8: Create Marsala Sauce
Pour in:Scrape up the delicious browned bits from the skillet bottom to build deep, complex flavor.
Step 9: Reduce Sauce
Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to thicken and concentrate its rich, savory character.
Step 10: Reunite Chicken with Sauce
Gently return chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces into the bubbling marsala sauce. Warm for 2 minutes to blend flavors.
Step 11: Finish with Fresh Herbs
Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the dish, adding a bright, fresh final touch.
Step 12: Serve and Enjoy
Plate immediately, generously spooning extra sauce over the chicken to maximize flavor in every bite.
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Got Questions About Chicken Marsala? We’ve Got Answers
The light dredging technique ensures a crispy, delicate exterior that helps seal in chicken’s moisture while creating a golden-brown crust.
Look for a golden-brown color with crispy edges and an internal temperature of 165°F, which guarantees juicy and safe-to-eat chicken.
Sautéing mushrooms first allows them to release moisture and develop a rich, caramelized flavor that enhances the overall depth of the marsala sauce.
While marsala wine provides a unique flavor, you can use dry sherry or a combination of white wine and chicken broth as an alternative, though the taste profile will slightly differ.
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Classic Chicken Marsala Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Culinary magic happens when classic chicken marsala delivers Italian-inspired comfort straight to dinner tables. Tender chicken medallions bathed in rich mushroom wine sauce promise a restaurant-quality meal that delights home cooks seeking simple elegance.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup marsala wine
Protein and Coating:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 8 oz mushrooms (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- Carefully pound chicken breasts to an even 1/4-inch thickness, ensuring uniform cooking and tender texture.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, then generously dredge each piece in flour, shaking off excess for a light, crisp coating.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2-3 minutes.
- Gently place floured chicken into hot skillet, cooking 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy edges form.
- Transfer browned chicken to a warm plate, covering loosely to retain heat.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and add sliced mushrooms, sautéing until they release moisture and turn golden brown, approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic to the mushrooms, stirring quickly to prevent burning and enhance aromatic complexity.
- Pour marsala wine and chicken broth into the skillet, scraping up browned bits from the bottom to maximize flavor depth.
- Simmer the sauce for 3-4 minutes, allowing it to reduce and concentrate its rich, savory essence.
- Carefully return chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces into the marsala sauce and letting them warm through for 2 minutes.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, adding a vibrant, herbaceous finish to the dish.
- Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce over the chicken for maximum flavor absorption.
Notes
- Pounding chicken evenly prevents uneven cooking and ensures a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture that impresses dinner guests.
- Use gluten-free flour for a celiac-friendly version, creating a crispy coating that matches the original recipe’s deliciousness.
- Choose high-quality marsala wine for deeper, more complex flavor, preferably a dry variety that enhances the sauce’s richness.
- Pat chicken completely dry before flouring to achieve the perfect golden-brown crust that provides delightful crispiness and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 465
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 573 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 99 mg
Jackson Reid
Founder & Recipe Developer
Expertise
Education
Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and hands-on kitchen training
Jackson’s love for cooking began one dish at a time. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Holyoke Community College’s HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he focused on what mattered most: creating recipes that are simple to follow and full of flavor.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Jackson brings together global influences and a less-is-more approach. His recipes reflect his belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to make sense, taste great, and feel right.
When he’s not testing ingredients or adjusting seasonings, you’ll find him hiking near Asheville, exploring local markets, or chasing the best light for food photos.