The Best Chicken Marsala Recipe for a Cozy Family Dinner

Chicken marsala brings culinary magic to dinner tables with its rich, sophisticated flavors that redefine ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Wine-soaked mushrooms and tender chicken create a harmonious dance of taste and texture that feels both elegant and comforting.

Italian-inspired cuisine rarely gets more approachable or delicious than this classic dish that marries simplicity with gourmet flair.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike treasure this recipe for its impressive presentation and remarkably straightforward preparation.

marsala wine provides a deep, complex undertone that elevates each bite with subtle sweetness and depth.

Delicate browning techniques and carefully selected ingredients guarantee a restaurant-quality experience right in your own kitchen.

The combination of golden-seared chicken and velvety sauce promises a dining adventure that will impress even the most discerning palates.

Highlights of Chicken Marsala

• Savor Quick-Prep Elegance: This chicken marsala recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish in under 30 minutes, making gourmet cooking accessible for busy home chefs.
• Enjoy Textural Perfection: Pounding chicken cutlets creates incredibly tender meat while dredging in flour ensures a delightfully crispy exterior that locks in succulent flavors and provides satisfying crunch.
• Master Simple Culinary Technique: The step-by-step method teaches fundamental cooking skills like meat preparation, proper seasoning, and precise dredging, empowering home cooks to confidently create professional-level dishes with minimal kitchen expertise.
• Customize with Ease: The straightforward recipe allows flexible adaptations, enabling cooks to adjust seasoning, swap proteins, or modify cooking techniques without compromising the dish's delicious essence.

Chicken Marsala Ingredient List

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that forms the base of the dish, best when fresh and boneless with even thickness.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a light, crispy exterior for the chicken and helps thicken the sauce.

• Marsala Wine: Rich, sweet wine that provides depth and signature flavor to the sauce.
• Mushrooms: Adds earthy umami taste and complementary texture to the dish.
• Butter, Olive Oil: Provides rich flavor and helps with sautéing and creating a smooth sauce.
• Shallots or Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that build a robust flavor foundation.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb for garnish and a touch of freshness at the end.

Cooking Instructions for Chicken Marsala

Step 1: Flatten the Chicken

Place chicken cutlets between two large parchment sheets. Gently pound to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet.

Step 2: Season and Dredge

Sprinkle cutlets with salt and pepper. Dredge both sides in flour and shake off excess. Transfer to parchment.

Step 3: Pan-Fry the Chicken

In a skillet, heat oil and butter over medium-high. Sear cutlets for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

Step 4: Sauté Mushrooms and Build Sauce

Add more oil and butter. Cook mushrooms until browned, then add garlic. Stir in flour, then pour in broth slowly. Simmer until thickened.

Step 5: Simmer and Serve

Return chicken to skillet. Spoon sauce over and simmer briefly. Remove thyme. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Chicken Marsala Tips and Techniques

• Select Quality Cutlets: Choose thin, evenly sized chicken cutlets to ensure uniform cooking and consistent flavor absorption.
• Control Flour Coating: Lightly dust chicken with flour, shaking off excess to prevent a heavy, pasty texture and achieve a delicate, golden-brown crust.
• Manage Mushroom Moisture: Sauté mushrooms on high heat to remove excess water, creating a rich, concentrated flavor and preventing a watery sauce.
• Master Pan Temperature: Use medium-high heat when searing chicken to develop a beautiful golden-brown exterior without burning the meat.
• Balance Marsala Wine: Select a high-quality, dry Marsala wine to create a deep, complex sauce that complements the chicken's delicate flavor.

Storage and Reheating Chicken Marsala

• Refrigerate: Transfer chicken marsala to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Separate sauce from chicken to prevent soggy texture.
• Microwave: Reheat individual portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating. Add a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture.
• Oven: Warm chicken marsala in a covered baking dish at 325°F for 10-15 minutes. Drizzle extra marsala sauce over the top to keep the meat juicy and prevent drying out.

Pairing Suggestions for Chicken Marsala

• Pair with Silky Chardonnay: The buttery, oak-aged Chardonnay complements the rich Marsala sauce, matching its creamy texture and enhancing the chicken's delicate flavor profile.
• Serve alongside Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Creamy potatoes soak up the luxurious Marsala sauce, creating a perfect side that adds depth and comfort to the main dish.
• Match with Crisp Arugula Salad: A light, peppery arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette cuts through the dish's richness, providing a fresh contrast to the hearty chicken Marsala.
• Recommend Crusty Ciabatta Bread: Warm, crusty bread becomes the ideal tool for mopping up every last drop of the delectable Marsala sauce, ensuring no flavor goes to waste.

Chicken Marsala Recipe Variations

• Mushroom Medley Marsala: Enhance the classic recipe by adding a mix of wild mushrooms like shiitake, cremini, and oyster mushrooms for a more complex, earthy flavor profile.
• Herbed Chicken Marsala: Incorporate fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley into the flour coating and sauce to brighten the dish with aromatic herb notes.
• Spicy Marsala Kick: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne to the flour mixture and sauce for those who enjoy a subtle heat with their chicken.
• Vegetarian Marsala Adaptation: Replace chicken with portobello mushroom caps or thick slices of eggplant, maintaining the rich Marsala wine sauce and traditional preparation method.

Chicken Marsala Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 2 1x

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Description

Chicken marsala brings Italian culinary magic to your dinner table with tender chicken cutlets bathed in a rich, velvety wine sauce. Earthy mushrooms and a splash of marsala create a classic comfort dish that will transport diners straight to a charming trattoria in Tuscany.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 2 (6-ounces/170 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or 4 chicken breast cutlets)

Seasonings and Flour:

• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided

Cooking Liquids and Fats:

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• ⅔ cup low-sodium chicken broth or water

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 8 ounces (226 grams) cremini or button mushrooms, cleaned and thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme (or ¼ teaspoon dried thyme leaves)
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Tenderly transform whole chicken breasts into delicate cutlets by slicing horizontally and gently flattening with a meat mallet between parchment sheets, ensuring uniform thickness for even cooking.
2. Transfer prepared chicken cutlets onto a clean parchment-lined baking sheet, ready for seasoning and coating.
3. Generously sprinkle salt and freshly ground black pepper across each chicken cutlet, creating a foundational flavor profile.
4. Carefully coat chicken pieces in a light, even layer of flour, methodically turning to ensure complete coverage while shaking off any excess powder.
5. Discard the used flour-dusted parchment to maintain a clean workspace and prevent cross-contamination.
6. Heat a large skillet over medium-high temperature, preparing for the next cooking phase with a thin layer of olive oil or butter.
7. Gently place floured chicken cutlets into the hot skillet, allowing each piece to develop a golden, crispy exterior without overcrowding the pan.
8. Cook chicken until achieving a beautiful amber-brown crust, approximately 3-4 minutes per side, ensuring internal temperature reaches safe consumption levels.
9. Remove perfectly seared chicken cutlets and set aside on a warm plate, preserving their crisp texture.
10. In the same skillet, sauté sliced mushrooms until they release their moisture and develop a rich, caramelized appearance.
11. Deglaze the pan with Marsala wine, scraping up flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
12. Create a luxurious sauce by incorporating heavy cream and fresh herbs, allowing the mixture to reduce and thicken.
13. Reunite the chicken with the velvety Marsala sauce, gently coating each cutlet to marry the flavors.
14. Serve immediately, garnishing with additional fresh herbs and accompanying with your preferred side dishes.

Notes

• Meat Preparation Matters: Properly pounding chicken to 1/4-inch thickness ensures even cooking and tender, juicy results that melt in your mouth.
• Flour Power: Dredging chicken in flour creates a delicate, crispy exterior that helps seal in moisture and provides a beautiful golden-brown color when sautéed.
• Smart Seasoning Strategy: Generously seasoning chicken with salt and pepper before flouring builds layers of flavor that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
• Parchment Paper Trick: Using parchment paper while pounding and dredging chicken minimizes mess and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Cutlet Convenience: Pre-sliced chicken cutlets can save time if you’re looking for a quicker meal preparation method.
• Texture Transformation: The light flour coating helps create a delicate crust that perfectly complements the rich Marsala sauce.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 2
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Cholesterol: 80mg