Can I make Chicken Marsala without wine?

While Marsala wine provides the signature flavor, you can substitute with 2/3 cup chicken broth mixed with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and 1 teaspoon brown sugar. The flavor will be different but still delicious.

Why is my Marsala sauce too thin?

This typically happens if the cornstarch wasn't fully incorporated into the cold liquid before adding it to the pan. Make sure to whisk the cornstarch and chicken stock thoroughly until smooth. If your sauce is still thin, mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir this slurry into the simmering sauce.

What's the difference between Chicken Marsala and Chicken Piccata?

While both are Italian-American classics featuring thin chicken cutlets, Chicken Marsala has a brown sauce made with Marsala wine and mushrooms, while Chicken Piccata features a bright lemon-caper sauce without mushrooms.

Is there a substitute for button mushrooms?

Absolutely! Cremini (baby portobello) mushrooms actually offer more flavor. Wild mushroom varieties like shiitake or oyster mushrooms can add unique textures and tastes. Just avoid larger portobello caps as they can release too much moisture.

Chicken Marsala Recipe

Name: Chicken Marsala Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 38 min
Total time: 53 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 8 ounces button mushrooms, stems trimmed and sliced; 1 medium shallot, diced; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon butter; 2 teaspoons garlic, minced; 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 1/3 cup flour; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided; 1 cup chicken stock; 3 teaspoons cornstarch; 2/3 cup dry Marsala wine; 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped; Salt and pepper, to taste; 12 ounces egg noodles, cooked (optional)

This Chicken Marsala is a restaurant-quality dish you can easily create at home. Tender chicken cutlets, golden-brown mushrooms, and a rich, velvety Marsala wine sauce come together in under an hour for a meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. It’s elegant enough for special occasions yet simple enough for a satisfying weeknight dinner!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Restaurant-Quality at Home: Achieve the same delicious flavors you’d find at an Italian restaurant, without the hefty price tag.
Impressive Yet Easy: This dish looks and tastes sophisticated, but the preparation is straightforward and manageable.
Versatile Serving Options: Serve over pasta, with mashed potatoes, or with a simple side salad for a complete meal that works for both casual dinners and special occasions.
Quick Cooking Time: Despite its gourmet appeal, this dish comes together in less than an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something special.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Button Mushrooms: These provide a meaty texture and earthy flavor that forms the backbone of the dish. Their ability to absorb the Marsala wine makes them essential.
Shallot: Adds a subtle, sweet onion flavor that’s more refined than regular onions. It creates depth without overpowering the dish.
Garlic: Provides that aromatic foundation that enhances all the other flavors in the dish.
Chicken Breasts: The star protein that becomes tender and flavorful when pounded thin and sautéed. Boneless, skinless breasts work best for quick cooking.
Flour: Creates that perfect golden crust on the chicken and helps thicken the sauce.
Chicken Stock: Forms the liquid base of the sauce, adding richness and depth.
Cornstarch: Acts as a thickener for the sauce, giving it that perfect consistency that clings to the chicken and mushrooms.
Dry Marsala Wine: The signature ingredient that gives this dish its name and distinctive flavor. It adds complexity and a slightly sweet, nutty taste.
Butter and Olive Oil: Used for sautéing, these fats add richness and help achieve the perfect golden-brown color on both chicken and mushrooms.
Parsley: Adds a fresh, bright finish and beautiful color contrast.
Egg Noodles: Optional but highly recommended for soaking up that delicious Marsala sauce.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Different Mushroom Options

Try cremini or mixed wild mushrooms for deeper, more complex flavor profiles. Portobello mushrooms, sliced thinly, can also add a meatier texture.

Protein Alternatives

Swap chicken for thinly pounded veal cutlets for a traditional Veal Marsala, or try pork tenderloin medallions for a different take.

Cream Addition

For a richer, more indulgent sauce, add 1/4 cup of heavy cream at the end of cooking.

Herb Variations

Experiment with different herbs like thyme or rosemary added to the sauce for varied flavor profiles.

How to Make Chicken Marsala

Step 1: Prepare the Mushrooms

Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until sizzling. Add the sliced mushrooms, diced shallot, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the mushrooms have released their moisture and turned a beautiful golden brown. Add minced garlic and cook for just one more minute to avoid burning. Transfer this fragrant mixture to a plate and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels – this ensures better browning. Carefully slice each breast horizontally to create two thinner pieces. Place between sheets of plastic wrap and gently pound to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Mix flour with salt and pepper on a plate, then dredge each chicken piece to coat all sides.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat half the olive oil and butter in the same skillet until sizzling. Add half the chicken pieces (avoid overcrowding) and cook for about 6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining oil, butter, and chicken pieces.

Step 4: Make the Marsala Sauce

In a bowl, whisk cornstarch into chicken stock until smooth, then add Marsala wine. Pour this mixture into the hot pan, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all those flavorful brown bits from the bottom. Return the mushroom mixture to the pan and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a glossy consistency, about 5 minutes.

Step 5: Finish the Dish

Return the chicken to the pan, nestling the pieces into the sauce. Let everything warm together for a minute or two. Sprinkle with fresh parsley just before serving. If desired, serve over cooked egg noodles that have been tossed with a little butter.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Pound Chicken Evenly: Take time to pound the chicken to an even thickness – this ensures it cooks uniformly and stays tender.
Don’t Crowd the Pan: Cook the chicken in batches if necessary. Overcrowding causes steaming instead of browning, and you’ll miss out on that golden crust.
Use Dry Marsala: While sweet Marsala works in desserts, dry Marsala is what you want for this savory dish.
Build Flavors in Stages: Using the same pan for mushrooms and then chicken creates layers of flavor that make the final sauce incredible.
Control the Heat: Keep your heat at medium – too high will burn the garlic and too low won’t develop those critical brown bits that flavor the sauce.

How to Serve

Chicken Marsala shines as the star of any meal, but pairing it with the right sides elevates the entire dining experience.

Pasta Pairing

Serve over buttered egg noodles, which provide the perfect neutral canvas for soaking up the rich Marsala sauce. Fettuccine or linguine are excellent alternatives.

Vegetable Sides

Balance the richness with roasted asparagus, steamed green beans, or a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil.

Bread Options

A crusty Italian bread or garlic bread makes the perfect tool for sopping up any remaining sauce on your plate.

Wine Pairing

Since you’re already using Marsala in the cooking, consider serving a medium-bodied Italian red like Chianti or Montepulciano d’Abruzzo to complement the meal.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store completely cooled Chicken Marsala in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the chicken and sauce together for the flavors to continue melding.

Freezing

While possible to freeze, the texture of the sauce may change slightly. If freezing, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

The best way to reheat Chicken Marsala is gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Add a splash of chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much. Cover with a lid to help the chicken warm through without drying out. For smaller portions, microwave on 70% power with a damp paper towel over the top.

FAQs

Can I make Chicken Marsala without wine?

While Marsala wine provides the signature flavor, you can substitute with 2/3 cup chicken broth mixed with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and 1 teaspoon brown sugar. The flavor will be different but still delicious.
Why is my Marsala sauce too thin?

This typically happens if the cornstarch wasn’t fully incorporated into the cold liquid before adding it to the pan. Make sure to whisk the cornstarch and chicken stock thoroughly until smooth. If your sauce is still thin, mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir this slurry into the simmering sauce.
What’s the difference between Chicken Marsala and Chicken Piccata?

While both are Italian-American classics featuring thin chicken cutlets, Chicken Marsala has a brown sauce made with Marsala wine and mushrooms, while Chicken Piccata features a bright lemon-caper sauce without mushrooms.
Is there a substitute for button mushrooms?

Absolutely! Cremini (baby portobello) mushrooms actually offer more flavor. Wild mushroom varieties like shiitake or oyster mushrooms can add unique textures and tastes. Just avoid larger portobello caps as they can release too much moisture.

Final Thoughts

This Chicken Marsala recipe transforms simple ingredients into something truly special. The combination of tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, and that rich, slightly sweet Marsala sauce creates a symphony of flavors that feels like comfort and luxury all at once. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight family dinner or hosting friends for a special occasion, this dish delivers restaurant-quality results with home-cooked care. Give it a try – I’m confident it will earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection!