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Classic Italian Chicken Marsala Recipe

Classic Italian Chicken Marsala Recipe


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4.6 from 25 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Chicken Marsala brings classic Italian-American comfort straight to your dinner table with tender chicken and rich mushroom sauce. Simmered in sweet Marsala wine, this restaurant-quality dish comes together easily in one skillet for a weeknight meal that feels special.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 ounces sliced cremini, shiitake, or mixed wild mushrooms
  • ½ cup dry Marsala wine

Supporting Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons softened unsalted butter
  • ½ cup chicken broth

Flavor Enhancers:

  • 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme or 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Pound 2 chicken breasts to ¼-inch thickness using a meat mallet. Sprinkle ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper across both sides. Dust chicken evenly with ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ensuring complete coverage.
  2. Warm 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat at 375°F. Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a clean plate.
  3. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Sauté 1 finely chopped shallot and 3 minced garlic cloves for 2 minutes until fragrant. Incorporate 8 ounces sliced mushrooms and cook for 4-5 minutes until they release moisture.
  4. Pour ½ cup Marsala wine into the skillet. Add 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar and ½ cup chicken broth. Scrape browned bits from pan bottom and simmer sauce for 3-4 minutes until reduced by one-third.
  5. Return chicken to skillet, nestling pieces into sauce. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 2-3 minutes. Swirl in 2 tablespoons softened butter and 2 teaspoons fresh thyme. Coat chicken thoroughly with pan sauce before serving.

Notes

  • Pounding the chicken evenly helps it cook quickly and uniformly, preventing dry or undercooked spots.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for the best heat distribution and gorgeous golden-brown crust on the chicken.
  • Choose a good-quality Marsala wine for deeper, richer flavor – dry Marsala works best for this savory dish.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap wheat flour with almond flour or cornstarch when dredging the chicken.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Sautéed
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 450 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 850 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 40 g
  • Cholesterol: 140 mg