Easy Chicken Marsala
Easy Chicken Marsala is a quick and delicious Italian-American classic featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a savory mushroom and Marsala wine sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe combines simple ingredients and a rich, flavorful sauce for an elegant yet approachable weeknight dinner.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Gluten Free (if gluten-free flour used)
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour/cornstarch for gluten-free)
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 shallots, minced
- 1/2 cup Marsala wine (sweet or dry)
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Optional: lemon zest flakes for garnish
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about ½ inch to ensure even cooking and tenderness. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper, then lightly coat the chicken pieces with flour by dredging and shaking off any excess.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, keeping the flavorful pan drippings in the skillet.
- Cook the Mushrooms and Aromatics: Add a bit more butter to the same skillet, then toss in the sliced mushrooms, minced garlic, and shallots. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms release their moisture and begin to brown.
- Deglaze and Make the Sauce: Pour in the Marsala wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits. Allow the wine to reduce slightly, then add the chicken broth. Simmer the sauce until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spoon the mushroom sauce over the top, and simmer on low heat for 2 minutes to blend the flavors. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and, if desired, lemon zest flakes before serving.
Notes
- Do not skip pounding the chicken for even cooking and a juicy texture.
- Use good quality Marsala wine as it defines the flavor of the dish.
- Pat mushrooms dry before cooking for better browning and texture.
- Cook over medium heat to avoid burning and ensure even cooking.
- Allow the sauce to reduce fully for optimal flavor and consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: Easy Chicken Marsala, Chicken Marsala, Italian chicken recipe, quick chicken dinner, marsala wine sauce, weeknight meals