Homey Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms Recipe for Cozy Nights

Weeknight dinners call for easy yet elegant meals like this rustic chicken marsala with mushrooms that brings restaurant-quality flavors straight to your kitchen.

Tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, velvety sauce capture the essence of Italian-inspired comfort food.

Earthy mushrooms and a splash of marsala wine create a deeply satisfying combination that feels both sophisticated and homey.

The golden-brown chicken promises a delightful texture in every forkful.

Perfectly seasoned and quickly prepared, this dish transforms simple ingredients into something truly special.

Each bite delivers a harmony of flavors that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Prepare to be transported to a cozy trattoria with this irresistible chicken marsala.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 4

Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms: Ingredients Guide

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps create a golden, crispy exterior for the chicken and thickens the sauce.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the dish.
• Black Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth to the chicken's seasoning.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that serves as the main star of the dish, best when fresh and boneless.
• Olive Oil: Provides a rich, smooth base for searing the chicken with a heart-healthy touch.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps caramelize the mushrooms, creating deep flavor layers.

• Marsala Wine: Brings a complex, slightly sweet and nutty undertone to the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to create a silky, flavorful sauce.
• Fresh Thyme: Introduces an earthy, aromatic herb note that complements the mushrooms.
• Garlic: Provides a pungent, aromatic base that elevates the entire dish.
• Mushrooms: Adds an umami-rich texture and earthy flavor to the sauce.
• Heavy Cream (Optional): Creates a luxurious, velvety sauce finish.
• Fresh Parsley: Offers a bright, fresh garnish that adds color and a light herbal note.

Tools You’ll Need for Chicken Marsala

• Large skillet: Key for searing chicken and making sauce, preferably with heavy bottom for even heat.
• Shallow dish: Perfect for dredging chicken in seasoned flour mixture.
• Tongs: Great for flipping chicken and moving pieces safely in hot skillet.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Essential for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps stir mushrooms and scrape pan bits.
• Meat thermometer: Ensures chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165F/74C.
• Cutting board: Needed for preparing ingredients and resting cooked chicken.
• Sharp knife: Used for chopping garlic and parsley, trimming chicken.

How to Make Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms

• Flour the Chicken

Blend flour with salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Coat chicken breasts, shaking off extra flour.

• Sear the Meat

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, about 3-4 minutes per side.

• Saute the Mushrooms

Lower heat and melt butter in the same skillet. Add mushrooms and cook until they turn golden and release moisture. Toss in minced garlic and cook briefly.

• Create the Marsala Sauce

Pour Marsala wine into skillet, scraping up browned bits. Let simmer to reduce. Add chicken broth and thyme. If desired, stir in heavy cream for extra richness.

• Finish and Plate

Return chicken to skillet, covering with mushroom sauce. Warm through for a few minutes. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and serve immediately with your favorite side dish.

Tips for Saucy and Flavorful Chicken Marsala

• Pat chicken breasts completely dry before dredging to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior that seals in delicious juices.
• Swap traditional flour with almond flour or cornstarch for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same delectable coating and texture.
• For non-alcoholic versions, replace Marsala wine with chicken broth mixed with a splash of balsamic vinegar to replicate the rich, complex flavor profile.
• Transform this recipe by replacing chicken with portobello mushroom steaks or firm tofu, keeping the same elegant sauce and cooking technique.
• Prepare the entire dish in advance and gently reheat in the skillet, allowing flavors to meld together even more intensely for a stress-free dinner experience.

Serving Chicken Marsala with Elegance

• Elegant Dinner Party Delight: Create a sophisticated table setting with crisp white plates, soft candlelight, and a small side of roasted asparagus to complement the rich Marsala sauce.
• Wine Pairing Paradise: Serve alongside a glass of dry Pinot Noir or Chardonnay that matches the wine's depth in the Marsala sauce, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Hearty Plate Companions: Pair with creamy garlic mashed potatoes or buttery wild rice pilaf to soak up the delicious mushroom and wine sauce, creating a complete and satisfying meal.
• Leftover Lunch: Transform remaining chicken Marsala into a gourmet sandwich filling or chop and toss with pasta for a delicious next-day lunch that keeps the flavors alive.

Store Chicken Marsala the Right Way

• Keep chicken marsala in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Separate chicken and sauce if possible to maintain optimal texture.
• Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and restore sauce's silky consistency.
• Package in freezer-safe containers with minimal air exposure. Chicken marsala can be frozen up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Prepare extra chicken marsala during weekend cooking. Portion into individual containers for easy grab-and-go lunches or quick weeknight dinners. Label with date and contents for organized meal planning.

FAQs

• What is Marsala wine and can I substitute it?

Marsala is a fortified wine from Sicily, Italy. If unavailable, you can substitute with dry sherry, Madeira wine, or dry white wine, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.

• How do I know the chicken is properly cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C. The chicken should look golden brown and feel firm when pressed.

• What type of mushrooms work best for this recipe?

Cremini or button mushrooms are traditional, but you can also use shiitake or a mix of wild mushrooms for more depth of flavor.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, replace regular flour with gluten-free flour or almond flour when dredging the chicken. Ensure all other ingredients are also gluten-free.

Rustic Chicken Marsala With Mushrooms Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms delights palates with classic Italian-American flavor profiles. Tender chicken medallions bathed in rich, wine-infused sauce invite culinary exploration for passionate home cooks.

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Ingredients

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• 4 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless, pounded to 0.5 in/1.27 cm thickness)
• ½ cup (120 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or ½ tsp dried thyme)
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 g) unsalted butter
• 8 oz (226 g) cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ cup (120 ml) dry Marsala wine
• ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
• ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream (optional, for a creamier sauce)
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Flour Preparation: Mix flour, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Thoroughly coat chicken breasts with seasoned flour, ensuring an even, light dusting and shaking off excess.
2. Chicken Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken breasts until golden-brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C, then transfer to a warm plate.
3. Mushroom Sautéing: Reduce skillet heat to medium, melt butter, and add mushrooms. Sauté until moisture evaporates and mushrooms caramelize, then quickly stir in minced garlic to release its aromatic essence.
4. Sauce Creation: Deglaze skillet with Marsala wine, scraping browned bits from the bottom. Simmer and reduce, then add chicken broth and fresh thyme. Optional: Incorporate heavy cream for a velvety texture, continuing to simmer and develop flavors.
5. Final Assembly: Return seared chicken to the skillet, coating each piece with the rich mushroom-wine sauce. Warm thoroughly, ensuring complete coverage. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately while piping hot.

Notes

• Flour Coating Technique: Ensure an ultra-light, even coating by gently pressing flour onto chicken breasts and shaking off excess to prevent heavy, clumpy breading.
• Temperature Control: Maintain medium-high heat for perfect golden-brown searing without burning chicken or creating bitter flavor compounds.
• Mushroom Caramelization Secret: Cook mushrooms without overcrowding the pan to achieve deep, rich caramelization and concentrate their natural umami flavor.
• Sauce Consistency Hack: Simmer sauce slowly to develop complex flavors and allow natural reduction, creating a silky, restaurant-quality texture without thickeners.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg