Chicken Marsala Recipe – An Easy Yet Impressive Recipe For Two

Whether you are searching for a quick and easy-to-make dinner or simply want to cook something that has a ton of flavor, this Chicken Marsala recipe is exactly what you are looking for. Tender and juicy chicken breasts and sliced mushrooms coated in a thick Marsala wine sauce that is flavored with shallots, garlic, and thyme.

It is an amazingly delicious dish that is sure to become your favorite special occasion dinner for two. Although it looks like an elegant Italian-American dish, it is actually extremely easy to prepare.

Not to mention that it tastes even better than the dish that you order at your favorite restaurant. In addition, you can make this recipe at a fraction of the cost! And who couldn’t use a recipe like that?

And if that isn’t reason enough to make this delicious recipe, this chicken is much healthier than the classic dish that you get at most restaurants. That is because you will not be making this recipe with breaded and pan-fried chicken.

Instead, boneless, skinless chicken breasts will be added to the skillet to make a healthier version of this iconic dish. With the mouthwatering flavor brought by Marsala wine and all the veggies, you can indulge in a gourmet tasting meal without the guilt of the extra calories.

How To Prepare The Chicken Breast

Preparing the boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe is easy. If you have a large chicken breast cut it in half to make two thinner breasts.

Then place each breast between two sheets of plastic wrap or in a resealable plastic bag. Use a flat meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy pan and gently pound the chicken until it reaches 1/4 inch thickness across the entire surface.

Next, create a seasoned coating for the chicken by combining 1 1/2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper. Place this mixture in a clean, large resealable plastic bag, seal it shut, and shake to coat the meat with the mixture. 

What Type of Mushrooms To Use

When it comes to making Chicken Marsala, you must include mushrooms in the sauce. Although there are many varieties of mushrooms to choose from, there are two classic choices when making this dish at home.

Bella or button mushrooms are my recommendations for this recipe. They are easy to find at most grocery stores and have similar textures and flavors. You won’t need an entire package of mushrooms, so save the other sliced mushrooms for this One Pot Chicken and Rice Recipe.

The earthy flavor is the perfect compliments to the Marsala wine sauce. Bella mushrooms (also known as cremini mushrooms) are simply a more mature version of button mushrooms and have a more intense taste.

However, they tend to cost a little more than white button mushrooms. Because of the strong flavor of the sauce itself, either variety will work will in this recipe.

What Is Marsala Wine?

And now, the million-dollar question: What is Marsala wine? As a brief introduction, Marsala wine is the wine of choice for Chicken Marsala as it is a fortified wine from Marsala, an Italian city in Sicily. While Marsala wine can either be dry or sweet, dry is better for this specific recipe because it pairs well with the other ingredients. 

So where do you find Marsala wine? You can most often find it in the supermarket’s speciality wine section or in liquor stores that sell wine.

However if you’re struggling to find Marsala wine or want an alternative, there are options. White wine or dry sherry can work as replacements for Marsala, but the flavor may vary slightly.

Dry sherry has a more distinct flavor with a higher alcohol content, while white wine is more neutral and provides a nice level of acidity to this dish.

And for those who prefer not to cook with alcohol you can use chicken or vegetable broth with a splash of white/balsamic vinegar to mimic the acidity and taste of Marsala wine.

What To Serve With Chicken Marsala for Two

Once you ready to make Chicken Marsala you may be wondering what to serve with this iconic dish. Here are some common pairings:

Mashed potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes make an ideal pairing with flavorful Chicken Marsala.

Pasta: Try serving the chicken and sauce over pasta, like fettuccine or linguine. The noodles soak up the delicious Marsala wine sauce and make each bite full of flavor.

Rice or risotto: White/brown rice or creamy mushroom risotto compliment the recipe, absorbing the savory sauce flavors perfectly.

Vegetables: If you want to make your meal lower in carbs serve the chicken with roasted or steamed veggies. Asparagus, green beans, or broccoli all bring a good balance to the meal.

Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken dish.

Crusty bread or baguette: You can always sop up the savory Marsala wine sauce with a slice of crusty bread or baguette for a tasty and comforting finish.

Chicken Marsala For Two Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 3⁄4 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded ¼-inch thick
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1⁄2 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 4-oz pre-sliced bella or button mushrooms
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped shallot
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1⁄3 cup chicken broth
• 1⁄3 cup dry Marsala wine
• 1⁄3 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley, for serving (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS (Chicken Marsala For Two)

Place the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken to the bag, seal the bag shut and shake it vigoursly to coat the chicken. Set aside.

Heat the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet placed over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken pieces from the bag, shake off any excess flour and place in the hot skillet.

Cook for 3-4 minutes or until the exterior starts to turn golden brown in color. Fiip and cook on the other side for 2-3 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a plate. Set aside.

Make The Marsala Sauce

Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in the pan. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms begin to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Next add the shallots, garlic, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt and cook for 1-2 minutes.

Pour the broth, Marsala wine, heavy cream into the skillet and add the thyme, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and a pinch of ground black pepper. Stir and use a wooden spatula to scrape any brown bits from the pan into the liquid.

Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and gently boil, uncovered, until the sauce is reduced by half and becomes slightly thick (approximately 8-10 minutes).

Add the chicken and juices from the plate back to the pan with the Marsala sauce and reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the chicken is warmed through, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the heat and garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve warm.

Enjoy! Mary

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