Marsala chicken may look impressive, but it’s surprisingly easy to make. Just like my sun dried tomato chicken similar to marry me chicken, zesty lemon chicken piccata, and creamy chicken Florentine, it’s made in one pan in less than 30 minutes. Despite the simple method, the chicken is juicy and tender, while the classic wine sauce makes it more than “just” a chicken dinner.
What Is Chicken Marsala?
Chicken Marsala is an Italian-American dish that consists of sauteed chicken cutlets in a Marsala wine mushroom sauce, sometimes with cream added. Creamy chicken Marsala recipes like this one are a little similar to creamy mushroom chicken, but the Marsala wine provides a unique, slightly sweet flavor.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for this creamy chicken Marsala recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
Chicken – I used boneless skinless chicken breasts and sliced them in half lengthwise, which helps them cook quickly and at the same rate. Boneless skinless chicken thighs are also a great option for chicken Marsala, though less common. Sea Salt & Black Pepper – For seasoning the chicken. Olive Oil – For sauteing. A classic choice for an Italian dish like this, but you can substitute avocado oil or your favorite cooking oil. Butter – Butter makes the base of the sauce for the richest flavor. Use unsalted butter, because otherwise this dish will be too salty from the other ingredients. Garlic – Use fresh garlic for the best flavor, or jarred minced garlic for convenience. Cremini Mushrooms – Sometimes these are called “baby bellas” at the store. Other fresh mushrooms such as sliced portobellos, shiitake, or everyday white mushrooms will work as well. Marsala Cooking Wine – Marsala wine is the star of the chicken Marsala sauce! It’s a delectable brandy fortified wine with an unforgettable flavor. I used Marsala cooking wine, but you could use sweet Marsala wine, dry Marsala wine, or even vermouth. You could use extra broth (in addition to what is already in the recipe) as an alcohol-free substitution for the wine, but the flavor will be different. Chicken Broth – Use reduced sodium store-bought or homemade chicken broth to avoid an overly salty dish. If you like, you can use chicken bone broth for extra richness and nutrition. Arrowroot Powder – Just a tablespoon helps thicken the sauce without any flours, making it a great cornstarch substitute. You could also use cornstarch if it fits your lifestyle. Feel free to omit the thickener altogether, but be aware that the sauce will be thinner. Heavy Cream – You can make chicken Marsala recipes without cream, but I totally recommended it to create a sauce that’s thick, smooth, and (of course) creamy. If you need a dairy-free substitute, full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream are good alternatives. Fresh Parsley – Optional, for garnish. You could use other herbs such as fresh basil or rosemary if you prefer.
How To Make Chicken Marsala
This section shows how to make easy chicken Marsala, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
Storage Instructions
Store: You can keep leftovers from this easy chicken Marsala recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat: Warm on the stovetop over medium heat, or in the microwave at low power, until heated through. Freeze: Cover the chicken Marsala tightly with plastic wrap or seal in a zip top bag and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating. The sauce may separate a little, but should come back together if you stir it.
What To Serve With Chicken Marsala Recipes
What goes with chicken Marsala? There are so many options: Instead of slicing chicken, you can pound the chicken breasts with a meat mallet. Either slicing or pounding are both methods to tenderize the meat and helps the chicken Marsala cook evenly. Preparing a deliciously savory and tender chicken Marsala dish is very easy, but don’t forget to follow these helpful tips:
Turn the heat up if needed. If the mushroom liquid or Marsala wine is not evaporating quickly enough, you can turn the heat up to medium-high as needed. Deglaze the pan. After adding the Marsala wine, scrape the bottom of the pan to release any brown bits. This adds a lot of flavor to the final dish. Beware of curdles. Acid from the wine can sometimes cause cream to curdle. To prevent this, make sure the wine has reduced by half before adding the broth and cream.
Starches – The classic options for serving creamy chicken Marsala over is over pasta or mashed potatoes. For lighter options, try fast baked spaghetti squash, easy zucchini noodles, or quick mashed cauliflower. Soup – If you want the full Olive Garden experience, you have to have soup AND salad. Pair this dish with a classic copycat Zuppa Toscana soup. Simple Salads – My favorite pairing is a Caprese salad, but other Italian salads (like roasted vegetable salad, or marinated artichoke salad) would also compliment chicken Marsala with mushrooms nicely. Easy Veggies – I like serving this marsala chicken recipe with simple veggies like roasted fennel or roasted green beans, but when I need a faster side, air fryer eggplant is quick and easy.
More Easy Italian Inspired Dinners
Italian recipes are some of my favorites because they’re so fresh and easy! If you like this recipe for chicken Marsala, try some of these meals next: Please enter your first name for your account. Your saved recipe will also be sent to your email. Nutrition info does not include the optional arrowroot powder and parsley. 📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes!
