Chicken Marsala is a beloved Italian-American dish that combines tender chicken breasts with the rich, earthy flavors of mushrooms and the slightly sweet finish of Marsala wine. Inspired by Sicilian traditions, this dish brings warmth, comfort, and a touch of elegance to any dinner table.
2poundsboneless skinless chicken breastssliced horizontally and pounded to 1/2 inch thick
1cupall-purpose flourfor dredging
1teaspoonkosher saltto season flour
½teaspoonfresh black pepperto season flour
4tablespoonsunsalted butterdivided
2tablespoonsolive oilextra virgin preferred
10ouncescremini mushroomssliced
3clovesgarlicminced
¾cupdry Marsala winereputable brand such as Florio recommended
1cuplow-sodium chicken brothpreferably homemade or organic
¼cupheavy creamoptional, for creamier version
2tablespoonsfresh parsleychopped, for garnish
Instructions
Place chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
In a shallow bowl, combine flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess.
Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and all of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat (375°F / 190°C). Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate and tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the pan. Sauté the mushrooms for 6–8 minutes or until they release their juices and begin to brown. Stir in garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.
Deglaze the pan with Marsala wine, scraping up fond from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Reduce volume by half, about 4–5 minutes.
Pour in chicken broth and optional cream. Simmer another 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
Return seared chicken to the skillet, spooning sauce over the top. Simmer 5 more minutes to reheat chicken through and meld flavors. Garnish with chopped parsley.
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Notes
For a gluten-free option, substitute rice flour or almond flour for dredging.
Deglazing the pan properly unlocks incredible flavor—don’t skip it!
Use dry Marsala wine, not sweet, for balance. Florio is a widely respected brand.