Creamy Chicken Marsala Recipe

The Most Heavenly Creamy Chicken Marsala Recipe Ever Made

Culinary enthusiasts adore this classic chicken marsala that blends rich, velvety flavors with elegant Italian simplicity.

Succulent chicken breasts create a memorable dining experience that feels like a restaurant-quality meal.

Wine-infused mushroom sauce adds depth and complexity to each tender bite.

Earthy marsala wine brings sophisticated notes that complement the delicate protein perfectly.

Kitchen novices and seasoned cooks alike can master this impressive dish with minimal effort.

Fragrant herbs and a golden-brown crust elevate this recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

You’ll want to savor every luxurious spoonful of this mouthwatering creation.

Why Creamy Chicken Marsala Is Restaurant-Quality

  • Whip Up a Gourmet Delight: Simple steps transform basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish that feels luxurious yet manageable.
  • Customize with Ease: Swap mushrooms or use different herbs to match your taste preferences, making this recipe wonderfully adaptable for picky eaters or adventurous cooks.
  • Family-Friendly Comfort: Creamy, flavorful sauce and tender chicken create a crowd-pleasing meal that satisfies both kids and adults, perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings.
  • Quick Weeknight Winner: Minimal prep and cooking time means you can have a delicious, impressive meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen, making it ideal for busy households.

Everything Needed For Creamy Chicken Marsala Success

Protein:
  • Chicken Breasts: A tender and lean protein that serves as the main star of this Marsala dish.
Coating Mix:
  • All-Purpose Flour, Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Oregano: A seasoned blend that creates a flavorful and crispy exterior for the chicken.
Cooking Fats:
  • Butter, Olive Oil: Provide rich flavor and help achieve a perfect golden-brown color for the chicken and vegetables.
Vegetables:
  • Mushrooms, Onion, Garlic: Add depth of flavor and aromatic complexity to the dish.
Sauce Ingredients:
  • Marsala Wine, Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream, Salt, Black Pepper: Create a rich, creamy sauce that enhances the overall taste and texture of the chicken.

Steps For Perfect Creamy Chicken Marsala At Home

Step 1: Whip Up Coating Blend

Mix the dry ingredients in a roomy zip-top bag.

Toss in flour, salt, black pepper, fragrant garlic powder, and crumbled oregano.

Shake the bag to ensure all spices combine evenly and create a delectable seasoning mix.

Step 2: Dredge Chicken Pieces

Drop chicken cutlets into the seasoned flour bag.

Seal and shake vigorously, ensuring each piece gets a complete, even coating of the spice-infused flour mixture.

This will create a delightful crispy exterior.

Step 3: Sear Golden Chicken

Heat a skillet with butter and olive oil.

Carefully place floured chicken into the hot pan.

Cook each side until a beautiful golden-brown color develops, approximately 2-3 minutes per side.

Once perfectly seared, transfer chicken to a warm plate.

Step 4: Sauté Vegetable Medley

In the same skillet, add remaining oil and introduce:
  • Sliced mushrooms
  • Chopped onions

Cook until vegetables become tender and slightly caramelized, around 7-8 minutes.

Toss in minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds to release aromatic flavors.

Step 5: Create Luxurious Sauce

Pour into the skillet:
  • White wine
  • Chicken broth
  • Heavy cream
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground pepper

Scrape the pan’s bottom to incorporate delicious browned bits.

Simmer and reduce the sauce for 10-12 minutes until it thickens beautifully.

Step 6: Combine and Finish

Return seared chicken to the skillet.

Gently spoon the velvety sauce over the chicken.

Allow everything to simmer together for 2-3 minutes, ensuring chicken is thoroughly heated and sauce reaches perfect consistency.

Tips For Extra Creamy Chicken Marsala Sauce

  • Choose fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are evenly sized for consistent cooking and tender results.
  • Gently pound chicken to uniform thickness using a meat mallet, ensuring even cooking and preventing dry edges.
  • Pat mushrooms dry before sautéing to prevent excess liquid and achieve perfect golden-brown caramelization.
  • Use a dry Marsala wine for authentic taste, avoiding overly sweet varieties that can overpower the dish's delicate profile.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning gradually during sauce preparation, allowing flavors to develop without becoming too salty.

Chicken Marsala Variations With Extra Flair

  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or cornstarch for coating chicken, ensuring a crispy exterior while keeping the dish celiac-friendly.
  • Vegetarian Alternative: Swap chicken with portobello mushrooms or tofu, maintaining the rich Marsala sauce and cooking technique for a plant-based version.
  • Low-Carb Option: Use cauliflower instead of traditional vegetables, reducing carbohydrate content while preserving the classic flavor profile of the dish.
  • Dairy-Free Modification: Substitute butter with olive oil and replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream for a lactose-free preparation that still delivers creamy texture.

Serving Creamy Chicken Marsala With Pasta Or Rice

  • Cozy Pasta Companion: Serve this rich Chicken Marsala over al dente fettuccine or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the delicious sauce.
  • Wine Pairing Delight: Pour a glass of crisp Pinot Grigio or medium-bodied Chardonnay to complement the savory mushroom and wine sauce.
  • Fresh Green Boost: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or thyme and add a side of roasted asparagus or crisp green salad for a balanced meal.
  • Bread Dipping Pleasure: Warm garlic bread or crusty Italian bread slices are perfect for soaking up the remaining creamy sauce on your plate.

Storing Chicken Marsala Sauce And Chicken Separately

  • Store leftover Chicken Marsala in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Transfer cooled chicken and sauce to freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
  • Place chicken and sauce in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  • Pour chicken and sauce into skillet. Add splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring gently until heated thoroughly. Takes about 5-7 minutes.

FAQs

  • What ingredients make the coating for chicken Marsala?

A mixture of flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oregano creates the flavorful coating that helps seal in moisture and adds delicious seasoning to the chicken.

  • Why use a zip-top bag for coating chicken?

A zip-top bag makes coating chicken easy and mess-free. You can shake the bag to evenly distribute the seasoned flour, ensuring each piece of chicken is perfectly covered without using multiple dishes.

  • How do I know when the chicken is properly cooked?

Cook chicken until it’s light brown on each side, about 2-3 minutes. When returned to the sauce, simmer for 2-3 minutes to ensure it’s fully cooked through and heated evenly.

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Creamy Chicken Marsala Recipe

Creamy Chicken Marsala Recipe


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4.6 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Succulent chicken breasts meet rich Marsala wine in this classic Italian-American Creamy Chicken Marsala dish that promises restaurant-quality flavor. Mushroom-studded sauce and tender chicken create a luxurious meal you’ll savor with every delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4-inch thickness
  • 16 ounces (454 grams) crimini or button mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups Marsala wine
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

Seasoning and Coating:

  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper

Cooking Ingredients:

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Combine flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and oregano thoroughly in a large resealable plastic bag, creating a fragrant seasoning mixture.
  2. Gently place chicken pieces into the seasoned flour bag, sealing and shaking vigorously to ensure complete and even coating.
  3. Melt butter with oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, reaching approximately 375°F. Sauté chicken pieces until golden brown, approximately 2-3 minutes per side, then transfer to a warm plate.
  4. In the same skillet, sauté sliced mushrooms and diced onions until they release moisture and become tender, about 7-8 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, releasing aromatic flavors.
  5. Deglaze the pan by pouring in Marsala wine and chicken broth, scraping accumulated browned bits from the bottom. Introduce heavy cream and season with salt and pepper, allowing the sauce to simmer and reduce for 10-12 minutes until slightly thickened.
  6. Carefully return chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces into the creamy sauce. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, ensuring chicken is heated through and sauce reaches desired consistency, coating the meat with rich, velvety sauce.

Notes

  • Customize Coating Mix use gluten-free flour or almond meal for a low-carb alternative that keeps the crispy texture intact.
  • Enhance Flavor add a pinch of dried thyme or rosemary to the coating mix for deeper, more complex taste profile.
  • Control Sauce Consistency whisk a small amount of cornstarch with cold water and add gradually if sauce needs thickening without altering flavor.
  • Wine Substitution replace Marsala wine with chicken broth and a splash of balsamic vinegar for non-alcoholic version that maintains rich depth.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 409 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 631 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 34 g
  • Cholesterol: 122 mg
Michael Reyes

Michael Reyes

Founder & Lead Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Southwestern and Latin American cuisine
  • Developing easy single-serving recipes
  • Food styling and food photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Practical, hands-on learning in essential kitchen skills, including food safety, hygiene, knife techniques, and kitchen organization.

Michael’s love for cooking runs deep, rooted in the bold, colorful flavors of his New Mexico upbringing.
After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Santa Fe Community College, he spent years sharpening his skills in kitchens that celebrated traditional Southwestern and Latin American dishes.
He believes cooking should feel approachable and fun, never complicated. When he’s not stirring up new recipe ideas, Michael’s out hiking scenic trails, chatting with farmers at local markets, or chasing the perfect sunset shot for inspiration.

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