Chicken Marsala Recipe
Introduction
Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian-American dish known for its tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich mushroom and Marsala wine sauce. This flavorful and comforting meal is perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 medium breasts)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (more as needed)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Marsala wine
- 3/4 cup chicken broth (or chicken stock)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create thin pieces. Pound each piece to about ¼ inch thick.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large deep skillet.
- Step 3: On a plate, whisk together 1/4 cup flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- Step 4: Cook the chicken pieces in the hot oil without overcrowding the pan. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step 5: In the same skillet, melt butter. Add mushrooms and diced onion, cooking for about 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 6: Stir in 1 tablespoon flour and minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute, scraping the bottom of the pan to release browned bits.
- Step 7: Whisk in the Marsala wine and simmer for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and heavy cream.
- Step 8: Bring the sauce to a low boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until thickened and rich in color, stirring and deglazing the pan occasionally.
- Step 9: Return the chicken to the skillet and heat through in the sauce for a few minutes. Serve warm.
Tips & Variations
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour to coat the chicken and thicken the sauce.
- Substitute dry white wine if Marsala is unavailable, though the flavor will vary slightly.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Storage
Store leftover Chicken Marsala in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat to avoid overcooking the chicken. The sauce may thicken after refrigeration; add a splash of broth or cream when reheating if needed.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?
Boneless chicken is best for even cooking and easy coating, but you can use bone-in pieces if you adjust the cooking time accordingly, ensuring the chicken is cooked through before finishing with the sauce.
What if I don’t have Marsala wine?
If you don’t have Marsala wine, a dry white wine or a mixture of grape juice and a splash of vinegar can be used as a substitute, though the flavor will be somewhat different.
PrintChicken Marsala Recipe
Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts sautéed to golden perfection and served in a rich, creamy Marsala wine sauce with mushrooms and onions. This elegant yet simple meal is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner or special occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 3 to 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 medium breasts)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (more as needed)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Marsala wine
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise to create 2 thin pieces from each breast. Pound the chicken pieces to about 1/4 inch thickness for even cooking.
- Heat the oil: Warm 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat, ensuring the pan is hot before cooking the chicken.
- Coat the chicken: On a plate, whisk together 1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Dredge each chicken piece in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off the excess before placing into the hot oil.
- Cook the chicken: Cook the chicken in batches without overcrowding the pan, about 3-4 minutes on each side until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove cooked chicken and set aside.
- Make the Marsala sauce: In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add sliced mushrooms and diced onions, cooking for about 3 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and flour: Stir in minced garlic and 1 tablespoon flour. Cook for 1 minute, scraping the bottom to release flavorful bits.
- Deglaze and simmer: Whisk in 1/2 cup Marsala wine and simmer for 1 minute. Then whisk in 3/4 cup chicken broth and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Bring to a low boil.
- Thicken the sauce: Reduce heat and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes until the sauce is thickened, rich in color, and flavorful. Stir occasionally and scrape the pan to incorporate all flavors.
- Finish the dish: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and simmer in the sauce for a few minutes to reheat and coat the chicken thoroughly.
- Serve: Plate the chicken with a generous amount of mushroom Marsala sauce. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
- For a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
- If Marsala wine is unavailable, dry sherry or a mixture of white grape juice and sherry vinegar can be used as a substitute.
- Do not overcrowd the pan while cooking the chicken to ensure a nice golden sear and even cooking.
- Pounding the chicken evenly helps it cook quickly and uniformly.
- Leftover Marsala sauce can be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Keywords: Chicken Marsala, chicken breasts, Marsala sauce, creamy mushroom sauce, Italian-American recipe, sautéed chicken, easy dinner

