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Homemade Chicken Marsala with creamy Marsala wine sauce and mushrooms served in a cast iron skillet

Chicken Marsala

An easy one-pan Chicken Marsala recipe made with tender pan-seared chicken breasts in a rich and creamy Marsala wine and mushroom sauce. Ready in 45 minutes and perfect for weeknights or dinner parties.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian-American
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts about 3 medium breasts
  • 3 tbsp olive oil plus more as needed for cooking in batches
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour for dredging chicken
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup cremini mushrooms sliced; button, portobello, or shiitake also work
  • 1 medium onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour for the sauce
  • 1/2 cup sweet Marsala wine sweet variety preferred; see notes for non-alcoholic substitute
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth or chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream half-and-half works but sauce will be thinner

Equipment

  • Large deep skillet
  • Meat mallet or rolling pin
  • Whisk
  • Plate for dredging

Method
 

  1. Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise to create two thin pieces. Place between plastic wrap and pound to about 1/4 inch thick using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Even thickness ensures uniform cooking.
  2. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a large deep skillet. Combine flour, salt, and pepper on a flat plate. Dredge each chicken piece in the seasoned flour and shake off any excess.
  3. Cook chicken in batches of 2 to 3 pieces to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deep golden brown and cooked through to 165 degrees F internally. Remove and set aside. Add more olive oil between batches if needed.
  4. Keep heat at medium and melt butter in the same skillet. Add sliced mushrooms and diced onion. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are golden and slightly caramelized and onion has softened.
  5. Stir in the flour and minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a spoon.
  6. Pour in the Marsala wine and whisk to combine. Simmer for 1 minute.
  7. Reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Reducing the heat before adding cream prevents the sauce from breaking.
  8. Raise heat back to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has turned a rich golden color and coats the back of a spoon.
  9. Return chicken to the skillet and nestle each piece into the sauce. Heat for 2 to 3 minutes until warmed through. Serve immediately.

Notes

For a non-alcoholic version, substitute Marsala wine with 1/2 cup white grape juice and 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar. Sauce can be doubled for extra saucy results. Leftovers keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Thin thickened leftover sauce with a splash of chicken broth when reheating. Freezes well for up to 3 months.