Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian dish, celebrated for its rich and creamy character. This delightful creation typically features pan-fried chicken breast, expertly golden-browned and generously coated in a savory mushroom Marsala wine sauce.
This homemade Chicken Marsala rivals your favorite restaurant versions, offering a truly exceptional dining experience. It pairs wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments, including pasta dishes, rice preparations, roasted vegetables, or simple salads for lunch and dinner.
In this Chicken Marsala recipe, I'll guide you through each step with easy-to-follow instructions. Additionally, a detailed video below complements the process, providing a visual aid for a clear and enjoyable cooking experience.
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What is Chicken Marsala?
Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian dish renowned for its rich, creamy, and delectable flavors. This delightful recipe typically involves pan-fried chicken breasts coated in a luscious mushroom Marsala wine sauce. It's a restaurant-style favorite that pairs exquisitely with pasta, and rice dishes like risotto, as well as roasted or baked vegetables and fresh salads.
Derived from the Marsala wine used in its preparation, Chicken Marsala is a beloved Italian-American creation. The wine plays a pivotal role in delivering the dish's distinctive character. You'll often encounter this dish as a signature offering in many Italian restaurants, celebrated for its trademark richness.
Creating Chicken Marsala at home is a breeze, and it allows you to savor the same restaurant-style flavors right in your kitchen. With readily available ingredients, you can whip up a finger-licking good dish in no time. So, if you're yearning for an Italian-inspired dinner, Chicken Marsala is unquestionably worth a try. So why wait, give it a shot tonight and savor the authentic Italian-American flavors in the comfort of your home.
Ingredients & Substitutions
The ingredients you will need for making Chicken Marsala comprise several essential seasonings and key components for crafting the Marsala sauce. These ingredients are readily available at most retail grocery outlets near you. Let's take a closer look at them below.
Main Ingredients
Below are the main ingredients you will need to craft the Chicken Marsala.
- Chicken Breast: For convenience, you can use pre-cut thinly sliced chicken breast. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can use whole chicken breasts, but it's essential to pound them gently and then thinly slice them to ensure even cooking
- Mushrooms: This recipe uses brown mushrooms, but you can also substitute white mushrooms for a different flavor profile. Brown mushrooms offer a robust and earthy taste
- Shallots and Garlic: Shallots add a mild, sweet onion-like flavor, while garlic provides a pungent and aromatic note to the dish
- Herbs: Season with thyme for a savory, earthy flavor and parsley for a fresh, bright note
Other Ingredients
Below are the ingredients you will need to season, coat the chicken with flour, and prepare the Marsala sauce.
- All-Purpose Flour: Use this in the chicken coating to create a crispy texture when pan-frying
- Seasoning Powders: Season the chicken with black pepper powder, Italian seasoning, and optional paprika and chicken seasoning. Paprika adds a hint of spice, while chicken seasoning provides savory depth
- Marsala Wine: Marsala wine brings a rich and slightly sweet flavor profile to the dish, enhancing its signature taste
- Heavy Cream: Heavy cream contributes to the creamy and velvety texture of the sauce, creating a luxurious finish
- Chicken Broth: Chicken broth adds depth and savory notes to the sauce, elevating the overall flavor
- Fats: Use olive oil and butter in the cooking process to achieve even cooking and add richness to the dish. Throughout the recipe, you'll add 1 tablespoon of butter in three portions to enhance the flavors and consistency of the sauce
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Make Chicken Marsala at Home?
The recipe I've shared here is for Chicken Marsala, a classic Italian-American dish known for its rich flavors. Let's explore how to make it at home in the following sections.
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
Season and Flour Chicken
- Season Chicken: In a bowl, add the chicken breast and season with paprika, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Ensure that the seasonings are mixed thoroughly to coat the chicken evenly. Note that paprika is optional; it provides a mild hint of spice, and you can skip it if you prefer. For convenience, I've used thinly sliced chicken breast here, but if you prefer, you can use whole chicken breasts and slice and gently pound them for the best results
- Prep Flour Mix: In a shallow tray, combine all-purpose flour, black pepper powder, and salt. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly
- Dredge Chicken: Now, coat the seasoned chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring that you shake off any excess flour. Your chicken breast is now perfectly prepared for pan-frying
Pan-Fry Chicken
- Fry the chicken: In a pan over medium heat, add olive oil and 1 tsp of butter. Use a spatula to spread the fats across the pan. Add the prepared chicken breast and fry them for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until they achieve a beautiful golden color
- Remove and cover: Once done, remove the golden fried chicken breast, cover them with foil, and set them aside for later use
Prepare Chicken Marsala
- Saute mushrooms: In the same pan, using the remaining oil, add 1 tsp of butter and the mushrooms. Sauté them for 2-3 minutes or until they become tender and soft
- Saute aromatics: Now, add another 1 tsp of butter and introduce the chopped garlic and shallots to the mix. Sauté them until their aromatic fragrance is released
- Season: Season the vegetables with approximately 1 tsp of chicken seasoning, black pepper, and salt, and add fresh thyme leaves. Give everything a good mix to ensure the flavors meld
- Prep Marsala sauce: Pour in the Marsala wine, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Stir the mixture thoroughly, bringing it to a boil. At this stage, you can taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary
- Simmer chicken in the sauce: Add the pan-fried chicken breast to the pan and coat them generously with the Marsala sauce. Allow the chicken to simmer over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens, ensuring you coat the chicken with the sauce intermittently
- Garnish and serve: As a finishing touch, garnish the dish with fresh parsley leaves, and then remove it from the heat. Your delicious Chicken Marsala is now ready to be savored
Tips
- Chicken Preparation: For convenience, use thinly sliced chicken breast. However, you can opt for whole chicken breasts but it's essential to pound them gently and then thinly slice them to ensure even cooking
- Seasoning: Ensure that you mix the seasonings (paprika, black pepper, onion powder, and salt) thoroughly to evenly coat the chicken. You can skip paprika if you prefer a milder flavor
- Pan-Frying: When pan-frying the chicken, ensure the oil and butter are evenly spread across the pan, and be patient to achieve that beautiful golden color on both sides of the chicken breast
- Sautéing Vegetables: When sautéing mushrooms, garlic, and shallots, ensure they become tender and aromatic before proceeding to the next step
- Sauce Consistency: Monitor the sauce's thickness as it simmers with the chicken. Adjust the heat as necessary to achieve the desired consistency
- Taste Testing: Throughout the cooking process, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed to achieve the desired flavor
- Reheating: When reheating the dish, be aware that the sauce may thicken over time. To restore the desired saucy consistency, add a splash of water or half-and-half while reheating
Storage Suggestions
This Chicken Marsala can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days in a sealed container. However, over time, the sauce may thicken. Therefore, when reheating, it's advisable to add a splash of water or half-and-half to restore the desired saucy consistency.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Marsala boasts an abundance of rich and savory flavors, making it essential to pair it with complementary sides. Here are some popular options:
- Pasta Dishes: You can serve the Chicken Marsala over a bed of cooked pasta, such as fettuccine, linguine, or spaghetti. The pasta will help soak up the delicious sauce
- Potatoes: Another great choice is creamy mashed potatoes. They provide a comforting and hearty element that balances out the flavors of the dish
- Rice Dishes: White or brown rice is a good alternative to pasta. It can also help absorb the flavorful sauce and provide a neutral base for the dish
- Polenta: Creamy polenta is an excellent choice as well. Its smooth texture and mild flavor make it a great companion to the rich Chicken Marsala sauce
- Vegetables: For a healthy and colorful addition to your meal, consider steamed or roasted vegetables like asparagus, green beans, broccoli, or carrots
- Salad: If you're looking for something refreshing, a simple green salad with fresh lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light vinaigrette dressing can provide a delightful contrast to the dish
- Bread: A side of crusty Italian bread or garlic bread can be served to mop up the delicious sauce
Related Recipes
You can also find similar recipes below and more at Italian recipes and chicken breast recipes.
- Garlic Butter Chicken
- Filipino Chicken Adobo
- Chicken Parmesan
- Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Lemon Chicken
- Pesto Chicken
- Parmesan Crusted Chicken
- Chicken Cutlets
- Pesto Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Alfredo Pasta
- Eggplant Parmesan
Chicken Marsala Recipe Video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Chicken Marsala recipe below that I hope will help you make a flavorful Italian meal at home. You can also find this recipe in a story format.
Chicken Marsala
Ingredients
For Seasoning and Flour Mixture
- 4 piece Chicken Breast, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp Paprika, optional
- 1 tsp Black Pepper, ½ tsp for chicken + ½ tsp for flour
- 2 tsp Salt, 1 tsp for chicken + 1 tsp for flour
- ½ tsp Italian Seasoning, for flour
Other Ingredients
- 2 cups Mushroom, sliced, brown, or white bella mushrooms
- 3 cloves Garlic, chopped
- 2 Shallots, medium size, chopped
- 1 tsp Chicken Seasoning, optional
- ½ tsp Black Pepper, powder
- Salt, to taste
- ½ cup Marsala Wine
- ½ cup Chicken Broth
- ¼ cup Heavy Cream
- 1 tbsp Butter, added as 3 portions
- 3 tsp Olive Oil
Instructions
Season and Flour Chicken
- In a bowl, place the thinly sliced chicken breast and season it with paprika, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix everything well to coat the chicken evenly. You can skip paprika if you don't prefer it; it's optional for a mild hint of spice
- In a shallow tray, add all-purpose flour, black pepper powder, and salt. Combine them thoroughly
- Now, coat the seasoned chicken in the flour mixture, making sure to shake off any excess flour. Your chicken breast is now ready for pan-frying
Pan-Fry Chicken
- In a pan over medium heat, add olive oil and 1 tsp of butter. Use a spatula to spread the fats evenly across the pan. Add the chicken breast and fry them for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until they turn golden in color
- Remove the golden fried chicken breast, cover them with foil, and set them aside for later use
Prepare Chicken Marsala
- In the same pan with the remaining oil, add 1 tsp of butter and the mushrooms. Sauté them for 2-3 minutes or until they become tender and soft
- Now, add another 1 tsp of butter and toss in the chopped garlic and shallots. Sauté them until they release their aromatic fragrance
- Season the veggies with a little chicken seasoning, black pepper, salt, and add fresh thyme leaves. Mix everything thoroughly
- Pour in the Marsala wine, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Stir well to combine, and bring the mixture to a boil. At this stage, you can taste and adjust the seasoning if needed
- Add the pan-fried chicken breast and coat them well with the Marsala sauce. Cook the chicken over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens. Make sure to coat the chicken with the sauce occasionally
- Finally, garnish the dish with fresh parsley leaves and remove it from the heat. Your delicious Chicken Marsala is now ready to enjoy
To Serve
- Serve this Chicken Marsala over pasta, rice, or alongside roasted vegetables for a well-rounded meal
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Chicken Preparation: For convenience, use thinly sliced chicken breast. However, you can opt for whole chicken breasts but it's essential to pound them gently and then thinly slice them to ensure even cooking
- Seasoning: Ensure that you mix the seasonings (paprika, black pepper, onion powder, and salt) thoroughly to evenly coat the chicken. You can skip paprika if you prefer a milder flavor
- Pan-Frying: When pan-frying the chicken, ensure the oil and butter are evenly spread across the pan, and be patient to achieve that beautiful golden color on both sides of the chicken breast
- Sautéing Vegetables: When sautéing mushrooms, garlic, and shallots, ensure they become tender and aromatic before proceeding to the next step
- Sauce Consistency: Monitor the sauce's thickness as it simmers with the chicken. Adjust the heat as necessary to achieve the desired consistency
- Taste Testing: Throughout the cooking process, taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed to achieve the desired flavor
- Reheating: When reheating the dish, be aware that the sauce may thicken over time. To restore the desired saucy consistency, add a splash of water or half-and-half while reheating
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer: We’re not nutrition experts. Nutritional info is estimated and should be used as a guide. For precise details, consult a professional.
FAQ
If you don't have Marsala cooking wine on hand or prefer a non-alcoholic alternative, you can substitute it with dry sherry, port wine, or red, or white wine.
While heavy cream provides a rich and creamy consistency to your sauce, I recommend using half-and-half if heavy cream is not available. If you opt for milk, it may not give you the same creamy consistency. In that case, I suggest adding a bit of all-purpose flour while sautéing the mushrooms and onions to create a roux for a creamier consistency.
No, paprika and chicken seasoning are not classic ingredients in traditional Chicken Marsala. Classic Chicken Marsala typically includes chicken breasts, Marsala wine, mushrooms, shallots or onions, garlic, and sometimes thyme or parsley for seasoning. The flavor profile of Chicken Marsala is defined by the Marsala wine and the earthy, savory notes of mushrooms. However, I have added it to my recipe for additional heat.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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