Easy Chicken Marsala - Delicious Recipe - Dishes Delish (2024)

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Discover the joys of a hassle-free chicken marsala with this simple recipe. By using succulent thigh meat that requires no pounding, you’re guaranteed a dish that’s as tender and moist as it is flavorful and satisfying. Indulge in the rich, savory sauce of this comforting meal that’s sure to become a quick favorite in your kitchen.

Easy Chicken Marsala - Delicious Recipe - Dishes Delish (1)

One of the things I love about this recipe is how easy it is. Another thing I enjoy is how the sauce is so flavorful that you can eat it on just about everything. Or even sop it up with a big piece of crusty bread.

But ladle it on pasta and you have the best meal ever.

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What is marsala wine?

Marsala Wine is a fortified wine produced exclusively in the region of Marsala, located in Sicily, Italy. It comes in both dry and sweet versions. The dry version is generally used as a cooking wine, which we use in this recipe.

It has a rich and smoky flavor, which adds depth and complexity to the dishes. Its unique flavor profile is the key ingredient to the distinctive taste in our chicken marsala recipe.

Ingredients and substitutions

  • Olive oil – extra virgin, but if you don’t have it, you can use a vegetable oil or for a richer taste, butter.
  • Chicken thighs – boneless and skinless, cut in 3 pieces per chicken. If you prefer, you can use boneless chicken breasts instead.
  • Flour – all-purpose white flour. Gluten-free flour will also work in this recipe.
  • Driedtarragon – rosemary or thyme can be substituted, if you prefer.
  • Driedbasil – or parsley.
  • Salt – sea salt.
  • Portobello mushrooms – baby bellas
  • Chicken broth
  • Dry marsala wine
  • Garlic – crushed or minced.

Helpful tips

  • I prefer thigh meat over breast meat in this chicken recipe, but if you prefer, use breast meat.
  • I don’t pound the chicken thin but if you do, it will take less time to cook through. My thigh pieces took approximately 10 minutes.
  • Sometimes I sauté shallots with the mushrooms to give the dish even more depth.
  • Depending on your preference, you may add a splash of heavy cream to the marsala sauce. This gives it a rich, creamy texture and enhances its flavor. Although we prefer it without in our household.
  • For those who love spicy food, next time, try adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the marsala sauce to give the dish a nice kick.
  • Always use a good-quality marsala wine for the best results. Remember, if it isn’t good enough to drink, it isn’t good enough to cook with, either.
  • Ensure you sauté the mushrooms until they release their juices. This will prevent them from becoming too chewy in the final dish.
  • If you can’t find baby portobello mushrooms, you can use white button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms.
  • Using fresh herbs instead of dried ones can significantly enhance the dish’s flavor. If you have fresh tarragon or basil at hand, use them.
  • You can serve this delicious marsala dish on mashed potatoes instead of pasta.
  • This dish can be prepared ahead of time. Follow the steps until the chicken is added to the marsala sauce. Instead, let the sauce cool and store it separately. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce, add the cooked chicken, and allow it to simmer until heated through.

Storage

Leftovers of this delicious chicken marsala can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. Ensure the dish has cooled to room temperature before storing it to avoid condensation, which can affect the texture and flavor.

You can freeze this dish. After it has cooled completely, transfer the chicken marsala into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, defrost overnight in the refrigerator and warm it up on the stove or in the microwave until heated through. The texture of the mushrooms might change slightly after freezing and reheating.

Easy Chicken Marsala - Delicious Recipe - Dishes Delish (2)

How to make easy chicken marsala

Pre-step

Get a sauté pan and a deep plate for the breading.

Step one

Gather the ingredients – all-purpose flour, tarragon, basil, and salt. Mix together and set aside. (A)

Step two

Cut each piece of boneless and skinless thigh in three or four pieces.

Step three

Heat a sauté pan on medium and once it heats up, add olive oil and let that heat up to a shimmer.

Step four

Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture and make sure it’s completely covered.

Step five

Place the pieces of chicken into the pan and sauté each side until the chicken is browned and fully cooked. (B)

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Since I didn’t pound the thighs thin, it takes about 10minutes to cook.(The thinner meat cooks faster.)

Once cooked, remove from the pan and set aside.

Step six

Scrape out any flour bits with a metal spatula.

Gather the rest of the ingredients – Marsala wine, sliced mushrooms, and chicken broth. (C)

Step seven

Heat up the pan and add olive oil. Once it shimmers, add the sliced mushrooms and sauté for up to 5 minutes until they release some of their juices. (D)

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Step eight

Add chicken broth and marsala wine to the mushrooms and let the mixture come to a boil and cook for 5 minutes.

Step nine

Add the chicken back to the pan and lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes longer.

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Time to gather the rest of the meal, some pasta and squash souffle.

If you like a really saucy chicken marsala, either eat it on some rice or by itself. Christopher and I love eating it on pasta. But just know that the pasta soaks up the marsala sauce.

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I hope you enjoyed this easy chicken marsala recipe. Christopher and I loved eating it. I crack some black pepper on my food and dig right in.

Delicious!

Other chicken dishes

  • Cordon bleu
  • Meatballs
  • Saltimbocca

And as always, may all your dishes be delish!

If you’ve tried thisor any other recipe on the blog, I’d love the hear what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can alsoFOLLOW MEonFACEBOOK,TWITTER,INSTAGRAMandPINTERESTto see more of my delicious food and delightful co*cktails!

Easy Chicken Marsala - Delicious Recipe - Dishes Delish (7)

Easy Chicken Marsala

This chicken marsala recipe is so delicious and easy. No pounding!

5 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Poultry

Keyword: chicken dinner, chicken marsala, easy chicken marsala

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 17 minutes minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 Servings

Calories: 323kcal

Author: Elaine Benoit

Ingredients

Chicken Marsala

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 chicken thighs (boneless and skinless, cut in 3 pieces per chicken)
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon tarragon (dried)
  • 1 teaspoon basil (dried)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Mushroom and marsala sauce

  • 10 ounces portobello mushrooms (package sliced baby mushrooms)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup marsala wine
  • 2 cloves garlic (crushed or minced)

Instructions

Chicken

  • Heat a sauté pan on medium, add 2 tablespoons olive oil.

    2 tablespoons olive oil

  • Combine flour, tarragon, basil and salt.

    1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon tarragon, 1 teaspoon basil, 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • Dredge chicken in flour mixture and place in pan. Cook for 10 minutes turning chicken every 3 minutes or so, until done.

    4 chicken thighs

  • Take out of pan, place on a plate and set aside.

  • Remove any flour bits from the pan, heat again and add 1 tablespoon olive oil.

    1 tablespoon olive oil

  • Add mushrooms, and garlic, and sauté for 5 minutes.

    10 ounces portobello mushrooms, 2 cloves garlic

  • Add chicken broth and marsala wine and let boil for 5 minutes.

    3/4 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup marsala wine

  • Lower heat to a simmer and add chicken back to the pan and cook for 5 minutes.

  • Plate marsala

  • Eat a piece of chicken

  • Smile

  • Enjoy

Equipment

Easy Chicken Marsala - Delicious Recipe - Dishes Delish (9) See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!

Notes

If you like a saucy marsala but want to eat it on pasta as I do, double the marsala sauce ingredients.

Helpful tips

  • I prefer thigh meat over breast meat in this chicken recipe, but if you prefer, use breast meat.
  • I don’t pound the chicken thin but if you do, it will take less time to cook through. My thigh pieces took approximately 10 minutes.
  • Sometimes I sauté shallots with the mushrooms to give the dish even more depth.
  • Depending on your preference, you may add a splash of heavy cream to the marsala sauce. This gives it a rich, creamy texture and enhances its flavor. Although we prefer it without in our household.
  • For those who love spicy food, next time, try adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the marsala sauce to give the dish a nice kick.
  • Always use a good-quality marsala wine for the best results. Remember, if it isn’t good enough to drink, it isn’t good enough to cook with, either.
  • Ensure you sauté the mushrooms until they release their juices. This will prevent them from becoming too chewy in the final dish.
  • If you can’t find baby portobello mushrooms, you can use white button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms.
  • Using fresh herbs instead of dried ones can significantly enhance the dish’s flavor. If you have fresh tarragon or basil at hand, use them.
  • You can serve this delicious marsala dish on mashed potatoes instead of pasta.
  • This dish can be prepared ahead of time. Follow the steps until the chicken is added to the marsala sauce. Instead, let the sauce cool and store it separately. When ready to serve, reheat the sauce, add the cooked chicken, and allow it to simmer until heated through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 562mg | Potassium: 612mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 3.3mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1.8mg

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Elaine Benoit

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From lighting up stages with her BA in theater to food journalist, Elaine Benoit's journey is a testament to passion's transformative power. As the CEO of Dishes Delish, she offers a blend of healthy, comforting recipes and exquisitely crafted co*cktails. Beyond the kitchen, Elaine voiced her culinary adventures on her podcast, "Dishing," and co-owns Food Blogger Help, extending her expertise to guide budding food bloggers to success. Whether it's for a heartwarming dish or insights into food blogging, Elaine's diverse experiences make her a beacon in the culinary digital landscape.

Easy Chicken Marsala - Delicious Recipe - Dishes Delish (2024)

FAQs

What is better for Chicken Marsala dry or sweet? ›

However, when we tried both styles in recipes for chicken Marsala, mushroom stuffing, and zabaglione, tasters preferred the dry style in all instances. Though both were acceptable, tasters found that dry Marsala offered more depth of flavor, while sweet Marsala added sweetness and some flavor but wasn't as complex.

How can I thicken my Chicken Marsala sauce? ›

Flour plus fat (butter) = roux. A roux is used as a thickening agent in sauces. Sooo, with the butter from the pan and the butter the mushrooms have absorbed, plus the chicken cutlets coated in flour… This all means when the cutlets get added back to the sauce – that flour and butter combo is what thickens the sauce.

What is the best wine to use in chicken marsala? ›

For cooking savory dishes like this one, use a secco (dry), fine (aged one year) ambra or oro Marsala. This impressive dish leans on the wine's flavor profile, giving it a deep and nutty richness. Even better, it comes together quickly, which makes it just as suitable for busy weeknights as weekend entertaining.

Can you use regular wine for chicken marsala? ›

Just buy a cheap wine and make sure it's not sweet. You're generally better of with a white but you can use red too. You don't need to use “good” wine, but don't buy cooking wine. We always have something open so it's not a problem.

Which Marsala is best for Chicken Marsala? ›

Use dry marsala rather than sweet marsala which is more commonly used in desserts. Sub with port wine, sherry, or madeira. For non alcoholic version, better to make Chicken with Creamy Mushroom Sauce!

What can I use instead of Marsala in Chicken Marsala? ›

The best substitute for marsala wine is madeira, another kind of fortified wine with a similar flavour profile. Other alternatives include other fortified wines such as commandaria, sherry, vermouth, and port.

What can I use if I don t have Marsala wine for Chicken Marsala? ›

Possible substitutes would be a dry Madeira wine or a darker sherry such as Oloroso. If you don't have these then you could also use port or red vermouth.

How long is leftover Chicken Marsala good for in the fridge? ›

Transfer your leftover chicken marsala to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. To freeze your leftovers, store in an airtight container for up to 4 months. Thaw either in the microwave or in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of chicken broth.

Does the alcohol cook off in Chicken Marsala? ›

Contrary to popular belief, alcohol does not completely cook out of a dish. In fact, according to the USDA, in a dish that's cooked this long it would only burn off about 40%.

Is Chicken Marsala an Italian or Indian dish? ›

Chicken marsala (Italian: pollo al marsala or scaloppine al marsala) is an Italian-American dish of chicken escalopes in a Marsala wine sauce. It is a variation of traditional Italian scaloppina dishes, of which there are many varieties throughout Italy.

What's the difference between Marsala and Madeira? ›

Madeira (named after the Portuguese island where it is made) uses Sercial, Verdelho, Boal and Malvasia grapes. Marsala, the famed Italian fortified wine some consider one the world's best, is made in Sicily from Grillo, Inzolia (white), Catarratto and Nerello Mascalese (red) grapes.

What if Chicken Marsala sauce is too thin? ›

For a too-thin sauce, try adding a slurry (equal parts flour and water, whisked together) or beurre manie (equal parts softened butter and flour, kneaded together to form a paste)—both are ideal thickeners for rich and creamy sauces, such as steak sauce recipes.

What is a Marsala sauce made of? ›

Add olive oil to heavy hot saucepan. Add onions, garlic, mushrooms, saute until mushrooms are tender. Add flour and cook about 1 minute then deglaze pan with Marsala wine. Add beef stock and cook until thick and flavors are blended.

Do you use red or white Marsala wine for Chicken Marsala? ›

Chicken Marsala is a traditional Italian dish that is made with chicken, white wine, and sweet marsala wine. Chicken Marsala is served with tomato sauce and creamy white sauce. The marsala wine used in this dish is a dry marsala.

What kind of Marsala wine is used in cooking? ›

In cooking

One of the most popular Marsala recipes is chicken marsala, in which flour-coated pounded chicken breast halves are braised in a mixture of Marsala, butter, olive oil, mushrooms, and spices. Marsala is also used in some risotto recipes.

What does dry Marsala taste like? ›

Marsala tends to have a nutty, brown sugar flavor with notes of dried fruit and can be lightly sweet (dry) to very sweet. Because it is fortified with brandy, it is higher in alcohol than most wine, especially when aged for a long period of time.

Is Holland House Marsala wine sweet or dry? ›

Made from specially selected grapes, Holland House Marsala Cooking Wine has a dried fruit and caramel flavor and sweet aroma.

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