Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Restaurant-worthy flavors made right at home.
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Ready in just half an hour.
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Rich, savory marsala sauce with a hint of sweetness.
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Simple ingredients, big flavor payoff.
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Pairs beautifully with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Large chicken breasts
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Salt and black pepper
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Garlic powder
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All-purpose flour (for dredging)
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Olive oil
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Butter
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Cremini mushrooms, sliced
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Garlic clove, minced
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Marsala wine (semi-sweet or dry)
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Heavy cream (whipping cream)
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Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Directions
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Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise to make 4 cutlets. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Dredge lightly in flour.
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In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Once hot, add chicken and sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to a plate (it will finish cooking in the sauce).
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Add remaining butter and mushrooms to the skillet. Cook 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned.
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Stir in garlic and pour in marsala wine. Let bubble 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
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Add cream, then return chicken to the skillet. Cook 4–5 minutes more until chicken is cooked through (165°F) and sauce slightly thickens.
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Adjust seasoning to taste, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Servings and timing
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Servings: 4
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Prep time: 10 minutes
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Cook time: 20 minutes
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Total time: 30 minutes
Variations
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Use boneless chicken thighs for a richer flavor.
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Swap marsala for sherry or a dry white wine for a different twist.
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Add a splash of chicken broth for a lighter sauce.
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Stir in a spoonful of Dijon mustard for gentle tang.
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Add spinach or asparagus for extra greens.
Storage/Reheating
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Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or cream to loosen the sauce.
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Not recommended for freezing due to cream separation.
FAQs
What type of marsala wine should I use?
Semi-sweet or dry marsala both work—semi-sweet will add more depth and a subtle sweetness, dry will be more savory.
Can I make this without wine?
Yes, substitute chicken broth plus a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar for a similar depth of flavor.
How do I know the chicken is done?
Use an instant-read thermometer—165°F is the safe internal temperature for chicken.
Can I make the sauce thicker?
Let it simmer longer after adding cream, or whisk in a little extra flour before adding the wine.
What should I serve with chicken marsala?
Mashed potatoes, pasta, polenta, or rice soak up the sauce beautifully.
Conclusion
Easy Chicken Marsala delivers big, comforting flavor in just 30 minutes. With juicy chicken, earthy mushrooms, and a velvety wine cream sauce, it’s the kind of dish that feels special yet is easy enough to put on repeat.
PrintEasy Chicken Marsala
Easy Chicken Marsala is a quick Italian-American classic with tender pan-seared chicken cutlets in a rich, mushroom-studded marsala wine cream sauce—ready in just 30 minutes and perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts, halved lengthwise to make 4 cutlets
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/3 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp butter, divided
250 g cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
3/4 cup marsala wine (semi-sweet or dry)
3/4 cup heavy cream (whipping cream)
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Season chicken cutlets with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then dredge lightly in flour.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Add chicken and sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to a plate.
- Add remaining butter and mushrooms to the skillet. Cook 3–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned.
- Stir in garlic, then pour in marsala wine. Let bubble 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in heavy cream, then return chicken to the skillet. Cook 4–5 minutes until chicken is cooked through (165°F) and sauce thickens slightly.
- Adjust seasoning, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve hot with pasta, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Use boneless chicken thighs for richer flavor.
- Swap marsala for sherry or dry white wine for variation.
- Add chicken broth for a lighter sauce.
- Stir in Dijon mustard for a tangy twist.
- Add spinach or asparagus for extra greens.
- Store in fridge up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of water or cream.
- Not suitable for freezing due to cream separation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg