Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich, flavorful Marsala wine sauce. This dish offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and umami flavors that are sure to impress your guests.
The recipe is easy to prepare and delivers a sophisticated taste without requiring advanced cooking skills. With simple ingredients like chicken, mushrooms, and Marsala wine, this meal is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Marsala Recipe
This Chicken Marsala recipe is simple to make and bursting with flavor. The chicken is tender and juicy, while the Marsala wine sauce adds a rich, sweet depth. It’s a perfect blend of savory and sweet!
The recipe uses just a few ingredients, making it easy to cook on a busy weeknight. With chicken, mushrooms, and Marsala wine, you can create a restaurant-quality dish at home without much effort.
One of the best parts of this recipe is how quickly it comes together. In under 30 minutes, you’ll have a delicious meal that will impress your family or guests. It’s both fast and flavorful!
Ingredient Notes for a Chicken Marsala Recipe
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for a tender and easy-to-cook dish. They cook quickly and absorb flavors well.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning. Adjust to taste to bring out the flavor of the chicken and sauce.
- All-Purpose Flour: Helps create a light coating on the chicken, which adds texture when sautéed and helps thicken the sauce.
- Olive Oil: Ideal for cooking the chicken. It adds flavor and helps prevent sticking. You can also use vegetable oil if preferred.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and depth to the sauce. Using unsalted allows you to control the salt content better.
- Mushrooms: Typically, cremini or button mushrooms are used. They add a savory, earthy flavor and a meaty texture that complements the chicken and Marsala wine sauce.
- Marsala Wine: A key ingredient for the sauce. Choose a dry or semi-dry Marsala wine for the best balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Chicken Broth: Enhances the sauce’s flavor and adds moisture. You can use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt level in your dish.
Pre-preparation of Chicken Marsala Recipe
Before you get cooking, it’s important to prep everything for smooth cooking. Start by:
- Flattening the Chicken Breasts: Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. This ensures they cook evenly and stay tender.
- Slicing the Mushrooms: Clean and slice your mushrooms. You can use cremini or button mushrooms; both work well in this dish.
- Measuring the Wine: Marsala wine is the star of the sauce, so make sure you have it ready. You’ll need dry Marsala wine for the best flavor.
- Preparing Your Seasonings: Get your flour, salt, pepper, and other seasonings ready for easy access while cooking.
Nutrition and Health Benefits of Chicken Marsala Recipe
Nutrition Benefits:
- High in Protein: Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, which helps in muscle building and repair.
- Rich in Vitamins: The recipe includes mushrooms, which are packed with B vitamins, such as niacin and riboflavin, important for energy production.
- Low in Carbs: Chicken Marsala is a low-carb dish, making it a great choice for those on keto or low-carb diets.
- Rich in Minerals: Chicken provides essential minerals like phosphorus, zinc, and selenium, which support immune function and bone health.
- Low in Saturated Fat: This recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken, which is a leaner cut of meat with less saturated fat compared to other options like beef or pork.
- Antioxidants: Marsala wine and mushrooms provide antioxidants that help combat free radicals in the body.
Health Benefits:
- Supports Muscle Health: The protein in chicken is crucial for maintaining healthy muscles, especially for active individuals or those in recovery.
- Promotes Healthy Skin: The vitamins in mushrooms, along with chicken’s protein, support healthy skin by helping with collagen production.
- Boosts Immune System: Selenium and zinc found in chicken are important for boosting immune functions, helping your body fight off infections.
- Supports Weight Management: With its low-calorie and low-carb content, Chicken Marsala can be part of a balanced diet that helps with weight control.
- Improves Heart Health: The recipe’s lean protein content and lower fat make it a heart-healthy choice, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease.
- Bone Health: Chicken and mushrooms both provide important nutrients, like phosphorus and calcium, which are essential for maintaining strong, healthy bones.
Chicken Marsala Recipe Variation
You can easily customize Chicken Marsala by swapping ingredients. Try using different types of mushrooms, such as cremini or shiitake, for a unique flavor. If you prefer a richer sauce, add a splash of heavy cream. You can also make the dish gluten-free by using cornstarch instead of flour.
How to Serve Chicken Marsala Recipe
Serve Chicken Marsala with a side of mashed potatoes or pasta to soak up the delicious sauce. For a lighter option, steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans pair perfectly with the dish.
You can also serve it with a fresh salad for a balanced meal. A crisp white wine, such as Chardonnay, complements the flavors of Chicken Marsala beautifully.
Storage Options
Store leftover Chicken Marsala in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken and sauce in a skillet over low heat until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze the dish for up to 2 months.
FAQs About Chicken Marsala Recipe
Can I use a different wine for Chicken Marsala?
While Marsala wine is traditional, you can substitute with dry white wine or a port wine. However, the taste will be slightly different.
How do I make Chicken Marsala tender?
To make the chicken tender, you should lightly pound the chicken breasts before cooking. This helps them cook evenly and stay juicy.
Can I make Chicken Marsala ahead of time?
Yes, you can make Chicken Marsala ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove before serving.
What should I serve with Chicken Marsala?
Chicken Marsala pairs well with pasta, mashed potatoes, or rice. You can also serve it with steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Easy Chicken Marsala Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Dredge them in the flour, shaking off any excess. This step helps the chicken brown nicely while cooking.
- Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
- Sauté the Mushrooms: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 4-5 minutes until they become tender and release their moisture.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the Marsala wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. This step adds extra flavor to the sauce.
- Add the Chicken Broth: Stir in the chicken broth and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce slightly.
- Return Chicken to the Pan: Place the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over the top. Let everything simmer for an additional 5 minutes so the chicken absorbs the flavors.
- Finish and Serve: Once the chicken is heated through and the sauce is rich and flavorful, remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve your Chicken Marsala over pasta, mashed potatoes, or with a side of sautéed vegetables.
