When people think of Italian foods, they often mention spaghetti, pizza, focaccia, and risotto. And when it comes to Italian chicken recipes, dishes such as chicken parmigiana and chicken Francese are what people tend to think about first.

But there’s another Italian chicken dish that’s just as delicious. For me, chicken marsala is one of the first recipes that come to mind. This classic dish is made with chicken, mushrooms, and a Marsala wine sauce to die for — if you make it with love!

And if you’ve never made chicken marsala before, don’t worry. I’ll provide one of the most straightforward chicken marsala recipes you can add to your list of easy chicken recipes, perfect for a weeknight. Get ready to meet your new go-to weekday meal!

What Is Chicken Marsala?

Chicken marsala, or marsala chicken, is a tasty dish made primarily with chicken, mushrooms, and a Marsala wine sauce.

It originated in Italy, specifically from the town in Sicily called Marsala, which is how it got its name.

But chicken marsala became popular in the U.S. in the 1970s. Then, this dish started appearing on restaurant menus, and people began to learn how to make chicken marsala at home.

Over the years, this dish has become a classic comfort food in American cuisine. And while chicken marsala is often considered an elegant dish, it’s quite easy to throw together. You’ll have a restaurant-level meal in about 30 minutes, making this recipe ideal for quick weeknight family dinners or an evening with company.

Chicken Marsala

Chicken marsala, or marsala chicken, is a tasty dish made primarily with chicken, mushrooms, and a Marsala wine sauce. It originated in Italy, specifically from the town in Sicily called Marsala, which is how it got its name.

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 6 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• ¼ cups All-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• ½ teaspoons Black pepper
• ¼ cups Olive oil
• 1 pound Mushrooms, sliced
• ½ cups Marsala wine
• ¼ cups Chicken broth

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Prepare chicken by cutting it into 1-inch cubes.
• Place flour, salt, and pepper in a large resealable bag.
• Add chicken cubes to the bag and shake them until coated with flour.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil.
• Add chicken to the skillet and cook until browned, about 4 minutes per side.
• Transfer the chicken to a baking dish.
• Add mushrooms to the skillet and cook until browned, about 4 minutes.
• Add Marsala wine and chicken broth to the skillet and cook until the sauce has reduced by half, about 4 minutes. The sauce should be thin.
• Pour sauce over the chicken in the baking dish.
• Bake until chicken is cooked through completely, about 20 minutes.
• Serve and enjoy!

Keyword chicken marsala, marsala wine sauce

There are many side dishes to choose from that go well with chicken marsala. Some popular options include:

• Garlic mashed potatoes
• Roasted mixed vegetables
• Parmesan risotto or cheesy risotto
• Jasmine rice
• Buttered noodles
• Sautéed green beans
• Sautéed broccoli
• Tuscan white beans
• Classic dinner rolls

Tips & Tricks for Chicken Marsala

Although the instructions are straightforward, there are things to remember to ensure you make the best chicken marsala possible with your skills and supplies. Here are some additional tips and tricks:

• If you don’t have Marsala wine, you can substitute it with dry sherry or white wine.
• When cooking the chicken, make sure not to overcrowd the skillet. This will help the chicken brown properly.
• If you want a richer sauce, add 1/4 cup of heavy cream to the Marsala wine sauce.
• You don’t need an oven to make chicken marsala. However, baking the chicken in the sauce helps to infuse more flavor and keep the chicken moist.
• If you don’t want to bake the chicken, you can simply cook it in the sauce until it’s cooked through; this will take about 10 minutes.
• If you like to meal prep, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Simply prepare the dish following the steps to step 11, then cover and refrigerate it. When ready to eat, reheat it in the oven until warm.
• The best way to store chicken marsala is in an airtight container in the fridge. You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you want to freeze the leftovers, be sure to specifically place it in a freezer-safe container for safe storage. You can store leftovers in the freezer for 2-3 months. When ready to eat, thaw the frozen meal in the refrigerator, then reheat at 350 degrees. 
• Traditional chicken marsala is not gluten-free because the chicken is coated in flour before it’s cooked. However, you can make gluten-free chicken marsala by using a gluten-free flour substitute, such as almond flour or coconut flour. 

Nutrition Information of Chicken Marsala

One serving of this chicken marsala recipe is about 1/6 of the dish and contains the following nutrition information:

• Calories: 400
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated fat: 3.5 g
• Cholesterol: 107 mg
• Sodium: 810 mg
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Protein: 49 g

This chicken marsala recipe is relatively high in protein and low in carbs, making it a great option if you’re following a ketogenic or low-carb diet.

It’s also relatively high in sodium, so if you’re on a low-sodium diet, you may want to consider reducing the amount of salt used in the recipe or avoiding this dish altogether.

Conclusion

Chicken marsala is a delicious, easy-to-make Italian dish perfect for a weeknight meal. It’s made with chicken, mushrooms, and Marsala wine and can be on your dining table in less than an hour.

Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy meal or planning a dinner party, this chicken marsala recipe is sure to please. And with our tips and tricks, you’ll make the best chicken marsala possible!

If you have any questions about this recipe or any insights on making it even better, feel free to leave a comment below, and we’ll be happy to help or hear your thoughts!