Easy Chicken Marsala Recipe - I Heart Naptime (2024)

This easy chicken marsala recipe is an Italian-American favorite made with pan-fried chicken, mushrooms and rich marsala wine sauce. It’s restaurant quality made at home in 30 minutes!

More easy chicken recipes made in one pan include chicken piccata and this chicken Madeira recipe!

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Restaurant Quality Chicken Marsala Recipe

We love to make this homemade chicken marsala for date nights or dinner parties. It’s an easy 30-minute meal made in just one pan. Other date night favorites oven baked steak, chicken Alfredo and for dessert this easy no-bake cheesecake.

Chicken marsala is one of my favorite classic dishes to order out at a restaurant. Making it home only requires a few simple ingredients, though, and the results are tender, flavorful meat with a rich sauce just like my recipe for marry me chicken!

Marsala Chicken Ingredients

If you love Italian food, you will love this easy chicken marsala! Start by dredging your chicken in these pantry staple ingredients then make the rich and creamy Marsala wine sauce.

Find the fullprintable recipewith specific measurements below.

• Chicken breasts: Make sure to slice your boneless skinless chicken breasts in half so that they cook faster in the pan. You can also pound with a mallet.
• Flour and garlic powder: A flour and garlic powder mixture gives the meat that crispy coating, thickens the sauce as it cooks in the pan and adds flavor to the dredging mixture.
• Oil: This is for frying the meat in the skillet. It helps make the coating extra crispy and delicious. Extra-virgin olive oil is recommended.
• Butter: Added in with the oil to add some richness to the dish.
• Mushrooms: Traditional chicken marsala always includes sliced mushrooms. Any type of mushroom will work. Cremini mushrooms work great in savory dishes!
• Marsala cooking wine: The alcohol cooks out and creates a nutty and rich flavor.
• Chicken broth: Adds some liquid to the sauce, as well as another layer of flavor.
• Heavy cream: Just a splash adds to the creamy consistency of the sauce.

How to Make Chicken Marsala

Chicken marsala is an elegant dinner that is simple to make! Coat the chicken, cook, then add a special mushroom sauce to make the perfect combination!

1. Cut and coat chicken. Slice the chicken cutlets in half horizontally, then coat each piece with the flour mixture (flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper).
2. Cook in a skillet. In a large skillet (I used cast iron), heat the oil and butter over medium-high heat. Gently shake off excess flour from the meat, then place in the skillet. Cook until the chicken is golden brown and no longer pink in the middle, about 4 to 5 minutes on each side.
3. Add mushrooms and sauce. Add in the mushrooms and cook for about 3 minutes. Pour in the marsala and let boil for a minute or so to burn out the alcohol. Then pour in the broth and simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Cook chicken in sauce. Once the consistency of the sauce has thickened, slowly whisk in the cream and cook until it’s just lightly simmering. Stir occasionally. Add in the chicken and let cook in the sauce for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or thyme if desired.

Expert Tips

Here are a few tips to help with cooking chicken marsala. Use these to create the best weeknight dinner for your family or when entertaining.

• Thickness of chicken: If your chicken breasts are on the thicker side, I’d recommend thinning them out even more with a meat mallet after you slice them in half. It will tenderize the meat and help cook more evenly (and quickly) in the skillet.
• Thickening the sauce: To thicken marsala sauce even more, mix a teaspoon of flour with a teaspoon of water and add to the sauce, then simmer until it thickens up.
• Add a splash of Worcestershire. This really enhances the umami taste of the savory sauce.
• Avoid overcooking the chicken. Have a meat thermometer handy to know when your chicken reaches 165°F.

Serving Suggestions

Here are a few favorite ways to serve this chicken marsala recipe!

• Potatoes: Serve over creamy mashed potatoes, smashed potatoes or garlic mashed red potatoes with a side of green beans.
• Pasta: Any type of cooked pasta works although fettuccine is a popular choice. Add some roasted asparagus to round out the meal.
• Rice: A simple rice pilaf with roasted broccoli or steamed vegetables is a favorite.
• Bread: To complete the restaurant feel to the meal add a basket of garlic bread or dinner rolls.

Storing Leftovers

• Store: Cool to room temperature than place the remaining leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for three to four days long.
• Reheating: When ready to reheat, place in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until warmed through. You can also place in small saucepan over low heat.
• Freezing: Due to the amount of dairy in this dish, I don’t recommend freezing leftovers.

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