Chicken Marsala
Chicken Marsala is an Italian-American dish of golden pan-fried chicken cutlets and mushrooms in a rich Marsala wine sauce. Though it’s a classic restaurant dish, it’s really easy to make at home. With just one pan, you can have it on the dinner table in 45 minutes. I buy whole chicken breasts and pound them thin myself (I’m not a fan of the ultra-thin pre-sliced cutlets), but you can skip this step by using chicken tenderloins. Either way, buy pre-sliced mushrooms to save time. Marsala is a brandy-fortified wine from Sicily that is worth adding to your pantry, if only to make this dish time and again; it will keep in a cool, dry spot for months. This recipe yields a lovely sauce that is wonderful over pasta, polenta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Before we get to the recipe, a few words about the chicken. If your chicken breasts are large (like the ones in the photo above that are about 3/4 lb. each), it’s best to first cut them horizontally to form four flat fillets, then pound them to an even 1/4-inch thickness. If you pound large chicken breasts without first halving them, they’ll be huge. Of course, you could also pound them thin first and then cut them in half vertically; the only drawback is that they’ll lose their natural shape (which, admittedly, is not a big deal!).
Place the flour, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a ziplock bag.
Add the chicken to the bag; seal bag tightly and shake to coat chicken evenly. Set aside.
Heat the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. (Use a stainless steel pan for the best browning. Nonstick will work too, but you won’t get that nice golden color on the chicken.) Place the flour-dusted chicken in the pan, shaking off any excess first.
Cook, turning once, until the chicken is golden and just barely cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes total. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
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.
Add the shallots, garlic, and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
Cook for 1 to 2 minutes more.
Add the broth, wine, heavy cream, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper; use a wooden spoon to scrape any brown bits from the pan into the liquid. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium.
Gently boil, uncovered, until the sauce is reduced by about half, slightly thickened, and darkened in color, 10 to 15 minutes (you’re going for a thin cream sauce; it won’t start to thicken until the very end of the cooking time).
Add the chicken back to the pan, along with any juices that accumulated on the plate. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the chicken is warmed through and the sauce thickens a bit more, 2 to 3 minutes.
Sprinkle with parsley, if using, and serve.
Chicken Marsala
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded ¼-inch thick (see note), or chicken tenderloins
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 (8-oz) package pre-sliced bella or button mushrooms
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped shallots, from 1 medium shallot
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2/3 cup chicken broth
- 2/3 cup dry Marsala wine
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Place the flour, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a ziplock bag. Add the chicken to the bag; seal bag tightly and shake to coat chicken evenly. Set aside.
- Heat the oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. (Use a stainless steel pan for the best browning. Nonstick will work too, but you won’t get that nice golden color on the chicken.) Place the flour-dusted chicken in the pan, shaking off any excess first, and cook, turning once, until the chicken is golden and just barely cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes total. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- 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. Add the shallots, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt; cook for 1 to 2 minutes more. Add the broth, wine, heavy cream, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper; use a wooden spoon 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 about half, slightly thickened, and darkened in color, 10 to 15 minutes (you’re going for a thin cream sauce; it won’t start to thicken until the very end of the cooking time). Add the chicken back to the pan, along with any juices that accumulated on the plate. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the chicken is warmed through and the sauce thickens a bit more, 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley, if using, and serve.
- Note: If your chicken breasts are large (like the ones in the photos that are about 3/4 lb. each), it’s best to first cut them horizontally to form four flat fillets, then pound them to an even 1/4-inch thickness. If you pound large chicken breasts without first halving them, they’ll be huge. Of course, you could also pound them thin first and then cut them in half vertically; the only drawback is that they’ll lose their natural shape (which, admittedly, is not a big deal!).
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Nutrition Information
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- Calories: 537
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated fat: 16 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Sodium: 877 mg
- Cholesterol: 203 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Reviews & Comments
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This looks like an amazing chicken marsala recipe! I’m going to make this Monday for a friend. My question isn’t for the chicken. My problem is I don’t know what to serve with it. Thanks, Pattee
Hi Pattee, the chicken would be delicious with French Green Beans with Shallots and Parmesan Smashed Potatoes. Also, I have a feature on the website– for all main dishes, I suggest one or two sides that I think would pair nicely with them. To see what I’ve suggested, scroll to the top of the recipe page and, immediately under the recipe title, you’ll see a bar with several options, one of which says “pair with.” If you click on this, you’ll see the sides I’ve suggested. Hope that helps!
can I use something other then heavy creamy in chicken marsala. Looking to make it a little healthier
Hi Janice, You could use 1/2 & 1/2 in place of the cream, but the sauce won’t thicken as much. Hope that helps!
Just made this tonight! So delicious! I did add a little cornstarch mixed with water toward the end so that the sauce would thicken up a bit, but the flavors were on point. Thank you for another great recipe.
I made this a couple of days ago and did something that I rarely do, followed the recipe. It was perfect, no changes needed, rave reviews!
Thank you ☺
Hi Jenn, I know this is a long shot but is there a suitable substitute for heavy cream?
Hi Amy, You could use half and half in place of the cream, although the sauce won’t thicken as much. Hope that helps!
This chicken marsala was plate licking good! Great recipe. I added a couple tbsp of flour to the pan just before adding the garlic & onion and it made a thicker sauce which i prefer. Make mashed potatoes with this and pour on the sauce. And buy good marsala. Loved this! Thank you, chef!
Phenomenal dish! My family loved it! This is seriously a restaurant quality dish. I’ve made many of Jenn’s dishes and while I’ve never been disappointed with one, I have favorites and this is definitely one. I’ve made other chicken Marsala recipes in the past that were pretty good, but none close to this one. It is definitely a keeper and is already filed in my recipe binder.
On a side note, I followed the recipe exactly and my sauce did not thicken to the degree that perhaps it should have. Not sure if it was my technique or pan; either way it was still delicious. I served with a small side of fettuccine alfredo and even drizzled some of the Marsala sauce with mushrooms on it. Thank you Jenn for the smiles and gratitude I received from my two sons after they ate this.
I am making this for my guests on Saturday night. Can I prepare the chicken with mushrooms an hour ahead and put in a warming drawer till we eat??
Hi Jeanette, it’s doable, but I do think this is really best served right after cooking.
Spectacular !!! Easy, quick, super delicious and impressed the hell out of boyfriend !
Went through hell to get my hands on some Marsala wine in France and when I found it it was not cheap, so I was worried that the dish wont work out and I’d be stuck with a 25 euro bottle of wine, but it was SO good that I was requested to make it again in the same week.
Added to my folder of Favourite Recipes.
Fantastic Jenn !
Simple and delicious. As wonderful left over as the first time around. Love this with buttered dutch noodles. Thank you!
Hello,
Can this recipe be made ahead of time?
Thanks
Hi Clara, I’m sorry but I wouldn’t recommend making this ahead – it’s really best served right after it’s cooked.
This was wonderful. My daughter and son went back for thirds. My son says he is putting this in my top three chicken dishes I make.
Absolutely the best recipe ever! Tried others and they never worked out for me. Your recipes are fabulous. I can count on accuracy of your printed recipes, the ingredients listed and easy instructions. Your photos add to the ease and i love how you show ingredients. Your recipes are great enough for me to feel confident to share with friends and family! I love telling others my secret when i am asked. I simply say, “ i follow Once Upon A Chef” and hand them the web address. Keep up the awesome recipes. I am getting your cookbook.
Thank you, Liz! 💕
All of your recipes are absolutely delicious, but this was my husbands favorite! I’ve made this recipe twice. First time I followed everything to the T, but used veal cutlets and the second time I used bone-in pork chops and finished them in the oven before topping with the sauce. So good! Thanks, Jenn! PS I am counting down the days until I get your book.
So easy and quick to make, and is so tasty, I got several compliments on this dinner. I’ve made it twice now, the second time I didn’t have any heavy cream, so I used two percent milk and it still turned out great. The sauce was not quite as thick, but that’s was ok. Thanks for another great recipe.
I made this recipe for my family and it was great! My father-in-law was scooping up all the extra sauce off of his plate with a spoon. One question when making something like this for a crowd—the pan/oil/butter are at a great temperature for the first few pieces of chicken, but then I have trouble keeping them warm but not burnt and smokey, especially when adding more butter and oil or the pan. Do you have any suggestions to prevent that next time? Thanks!!
Hi Sara, glad to hear you enjoyed this! Yes, maintaining the correct heat is always tricky when you’re sauteeing several batches of something. I find that sometimes I need to turn the heat down just a tiny bit as I cook a second or third batch of something to avoid it from getting too brown on the outside before being fully cooked. (It’s definitely a delicate balance!)
I have made Chicken Marsala in the past- but it never turned out as good as this! I followed this recipe step by step (super easy and simple to follow), and it came out perfect. The ingredients needed really do not cost very much which is very helpful. I also cooked angel hair pasta to add to the dish for the chicken marsala to lay on top of. I will definitely be making this dish again soon!
I made a double batch of the Chicken Marsala, doubling the ingredients. The recipe was easy to follow. I tweaked the recipe by adding 4 ounces of softened cream cheese,when making the sauce. It made for a creamier sauce . I will make again.
So easy to make and the taste was fabulous! Will be a keeper and made more often for family Sunday night dinners!
My husbands favorite dish is Chicken Marsala. I already make a pretty decent one but noticed some subtle changes in this recipe so I wanted to try it. I loved it and so did my husband. It’s now my go to recipe for Chicken Marsala.
Thanks for sharing this with the rest of us!
This has become a go to recipe at my house. If my son is home I substitute a veggie like asparagus for the mushrooms. Also serve it over rice sometimes or with shrimp instead of chicken. But the creamy Marsala sauce is so good.
This is the 2nd time I made this. Love the taste of the sauce and the chicken is so tender. I personally think the ratio of mushrooms to sauce is too many mushrooms. I doubled the amount of the sauce and served with a side of angel hair pasta and sautéed green beans. Perfect meal!
I usually make this for a special occasion because it really is a fancy meal, but surprisingly easy. I use Holland House Marsala from the grocery store and Perdue Freshcuts thin sliced breasts that I don’t pound. Other than that, I follow the directions completely. Green beans are a perfect vegetable to go with this, but I live with broccoli lovers, so I serve that steamed with butter. Also serve parm smashed potatoes that Jenn recommends – sooo easy! A very satisfying meal!
This is the second time I made this recipe! I increased the amount of the sauce since this time I served with rice.
This is one of our favor recipes!
Thank you for making cooking so much easier(for me)!!
Amazing recipe! I wouldn’t change a thing. Made this for a dinner party and everyone loved it!
One word,,,DIVINE !
Improvision did not prove well this time. Instead of chicken breasts I used chicken thighs thinking the breast meat would be too dry, whereas thigh meat would be juicy and tender. However the thighs were too fatty and the sauce ended up being too greasy and overly rich. Follow Jennifer’s recipe and use chicken breasts as directed.
Chicken Marsala is so easy to make and really delicious. I used chicken fillets and already sliced mushrooms to save time.
Next time I would use have the amount of heavy cream (1/3 cup) to make a lighter version. I paired it with fresh green beans and a salad.
This Chicken Marsala recipe has been a huge hit at our Sunday “Family Dinners” for my gang of 14! Takes a bit more time to make this quantity, but the fact that all six grandkids cleaned their plates made it well worth repeating. I serve it with Polenta prepared with extra butter and parmesan. I’ve learned that when making large quantities, you can place the chicken with the sauce as well as the polenta in separate casseroles and keep them warm in a low oven until the whole gang shows up!
Delicious! However I took out the chicken stock and added more wine with pure lemon juice and it turned out fantastic!
This was way too delicious for as easy as it was to prepare! I love to cook and this is now one of our favorite dinners. Thanks for a great recipe.
This is the best chicken masala I have ever tasted. The recipe is so easy to follow and accurate just follow it step by step and you will serve the most delicious meal better than any restaurant. You will feel like you went to school to be a chef. Once upon a chef is making me into a chef. Everyone I have served this to raves about my cooking. It is a must to make and eat. LOVE IT!!
I LOVE this recipe. It’s easy to make and absolutely delicious. I have made it several times in the last month, it’s that addictive. This recipe is so much better than anything I’ve ever had in a restaurant. I personally used sliced white mushrooms instead and served with cacio e pepe. Mashed potatoes would be amazing too to soak up the sauce or I’ve also used some soft french bread that I picked up at the store. Definitely give this recipe a try!
I made this dish and it was delicious. I used half and half instead of the cream and it turned out very good. I served it with mashed potatoes and a spinach salad.
This easy and delicious chicken marsala has become one of our go to weeknight dinners. Simple with only a few steps and then add a salad and you have a not run of the mill satisfying meal that people think you slaved over.
Hey Jenn, I’ve made a few of your dishes and every single one is amazing! Absolutely loved this chicken marsala, just served it with a parm mashed (not your recipe but thanks for the idea), and the French string beans. Will definitely make this again! I made this as written but I didn’t have a mallet so I just cut the chicken in half and then finished the cook in the sauce. The best advice I could give to someone is to precut and measure everything beforehand so it’s easy to put together. Thanks for a great recipe!
Delicious. Easy to make.
I have made this recipe twice in the past two weeks. First time, I made it with the Marsala wine I had on time – it was good. Second time, I bought DRY Marsala wine and that made all the difference. My suggestion is to skip the Gallo or whatever American Marsala you will find and search for the Italian dry Marsala. It is a deeper color and the resulting sauce is much more delicious.
Shout out to the reviewer who said to up the amount of sauce – I used 1 cup each: wine, chicken broth and cream and extra mushrooms! And I did not pound the chicken breasts – I took frozen breasts, thawed for about 30 minutes and then using a very sharp boning knife (a 6 inch utility knife would also work) and cut them fairly equally in half. Took a minute or two to cook.
Finally, I made the dish and hubby was still outside working so I covered the stainless steel fry pan with the thickened sauce and chicken and put it in a 275 degree oven to hold until dinner was ready. Still delicious. Based upon the holding in a warm oven, I think this could be a way to make ahead and serve for company. 🙂
I agree about the Dry Marsala wine. It makes all the difference! I got Cribari and it is wonderful. I’ve tried the Holland House Marasala Cooking “Wine” in the past and it didn’t taste the best but buying Marsala from the wine aisle truly makes all the difference.
This is seriously delicious! I’m making it again tomorrow night just as written. Thanks Jenn!
Easy to follow and absolutely delicious. Whenever I’m in need of a recipe I look for one here first because each and every single time I have used one of your recipes, it’s been an absolute dream.
I wish I could post pictures of every single dish you have helped me make. Thank you so much for making me a better cook. I think my family loves me a little more 😉
This was AWESOME and easy! I served it with egg noodles and my whole family loved it. I can’t tell you what a relief it is to know that any recipe I try will turn out perfectly. Thank you Jenn!
Jen we really enjoyed this meal. My question is there a substitute seasoning for Thyme? Some thought it a little to strong.
Sure, Scott – you could try sage or just leave the herbs out entirely.
Yum!! This recipe was fabulous just like all the others on this site! Probably my favorite! (Next to the Enchiladas!)
I served this over white cheddar cheese grits with a roasted aspearagus as a side! So yummy!!
I would double the sauce and mushrooms next time!
I have to say that I can COOK!!! Only because of you and your recipe for Chicken Marsala! I just finished two helpings myself!! My teenage daughter said, Mom this belongs in a restaurant!! I have never heard that before. Thank you so much for this flavorful and easy recipe. I will definitely make it again.
Jenn – Another winner! I made chicken Marsala for our Valentine’s Day dinner. It was a huge hit and I will be making it again I’m sure. It took a little longer to prepare than I had thought it would but it was so worth it. Now that I’ve done it once, next time will be a breeze. And next time I am going to double the amount of mushrooms – totally yum!!
Hi Jenn,
I made the chicken marsala and I thought I followed the directions correctly. The dish tasted very good, but the sauce looked like it separated a little. The only thing that I did differently was that I used half and half as I did not have heavy cream. Would the difference in the fat content have made a difference in the appearance? Other than that the dish tasted very very good.
Hi Mary, Yes that would explain it – this recipe definitely needs the cream to thicken properly.
We rarely cook. We eat out most of the time. But for Valentine’s Day, we decided to stay in and try to make something, and found this recipe. I would say that we are die hard foodies, and this dish beats most of the dishes we get when we eat out in the North End (Italian neighborhood in Boston). This prob ranks in the top 2 chicken marsala dishes I’ve had in my life…the other being at Pete’s Diner in NYC which alas is no longer.
She is right – use a stainless steel pan or cast iron to get the right browning of the chicken. Great taste and I would up the marsala, chicken broth and heavy to 1 cup so there is more of that delicious sauce.
This was absolutely fantastic!! Six stars!! Tasted even better reheated! Thank you Jenn!
Chicken Marsala is my husband’s favorite Italian dish and he rated this better than that of any restaurant. I had to substitute sweet onion for the shallots and i/2 and 1/2 for the cream so it wouldn’t be too rich for his delicate stomach. Delicious! I had no problem with the 1/2 and 1/2 as I added it after the wine and broth warmed. A few sprinkles of Wondra flour assured the sauce would not be too thin.
This was absolutely delicious. I used bella mushrooms (not button) and a good quality Marsala. This is the only recipe I’ve found that tastes the way Chicken Marsala should taste! I could eat it every day!!! I suggest allowing a bit more time than the recipe states if, like me, you have thinner chicken cutlets and need to cook them in two batches.
Can this be made ahead (eg in the morning) and then served warmed up in the evening? If so, what would be the best way to warm it up without making the chicken tough?
Hi Susan, I wouldn’t recommend making this ahead – it’s really best served right after it’s cooked – sorry!
I made this a couple of nights ago. It’s easy to make and was absolutely delicious! The leftovers the following day had an even better flavour! I really appreciated having the amounts of salt and pepper because I nearly always under season and my husband didn’t need to add salt as he always does. I served mine with rice. Any suggestions Jenn for other accompaniments? Thanks for the delicious food.
So glad you enjoyed this! This would pair nicely with Parmesan Smashed Potatoes and French Green Beans with Shallots. BTW, I have a relatively new feature on the website– for all main dishes, I suggest one or two sides that I think would pair nicely with them. To see what I’ve suggested, scroll to the top of the recipe page and, immediately under the recipe title, you’ll see a bar with several options, one of which says “pair with.” If you click on this, you’ll see the sides I’ve suggested.
Thank you for all the recipes you share.
Every one has been so wonderful and has received raves every time I’ve made one.
You’re very welcome – glad you’re enjoying them! 🙂
I made these last weekend and we loved them! Full of flavor and so easy to prepare- served them with buttered noodles and steamed asparagus. I’ll definitely make again!
I made this for the first time. Seems I am always looking for something to do with boneless chicken breasts and this looked appealing. The directions and pictures were very clear re “how to”, easy to make and delicious; the dish turned out perfect! We all loved it and will definitely make it again. I stayed true to the recipe. Thank you.
I have some nakke filet (pork neck slices) but no marsala. Would port wine work?
Thanks
Marq
Hi Marquita, I haven’t tried this with port wine, but I think it should work. Would love to hear how it turns out!
Hi Jenn,
The chops themselves were very good, the sauce itself was not as sweet as marsala. I think if I had used chicken instead it may have worked better. it lacked the sweetness.
Thanks,
Marq
Hi Marq, If you prefer a sweeter Marsala, you might try a sweet Marsala wine.
Made this for my husband’s birthday and he raved for days about how tasty it was.
Delicious! Even my son who is not a chicken fan liked this dish.
We loved everything about this recipe! We bought a bottle of Marsala but had everything else on hand. My husband and I enjoyed making this dish together. We cut the chicken into smaller pieces (just a personal preference) after pounding it thin. The directions and timing were spot on and the sauce was so flavorful. As suggested, we served this with some steamed baby red potatoes and green beans. Leftovers were served over rice. We will definitely make this again.
Wonderful!!! I’ve made Veal and Chicken Marsala before but this seemed simpler for some reason and just as delicious. I used the tenderloins, which also made it easy. Jenn your recipes are fantastic! And I don’t have to look for obscure ingredients or spend hours in preparation to produce incredible dishes that are husband approved. This is my go to sight now.
My husband says this is the best thing I’ve ever made!
Best chicken Marsala i’ve ever made. Excellent recipe,
Another winning recipe! Delicious. Followed the recipe exactly, except that I let the chicken simmer in w/ the wine & broth while the sauce was reducing, and then added the cream towards the end. (just wanted to be sure the chicken was cooked through). I don’t know if this changed the sauce, but it was delicious. Will definitely make again.
I made this for my wife, and she loved it. I used up what was left in my bottle of Marsala wine, and she wants me to make sure I always have a bottle on hand. I’m wondering what else I could “Marsala” in addition to chicken, perhaps a firm white fish?
Glad you all enjoyed it, Tom. You could definitely use a firm white fish; veal or pork cutlets would be good too.
Bomb. No surprise though, even though I made a zillion changes- seriously wanted to lick the bowl. Used twice the amount of broth because I didn’t use wine. Used mostly milk with a bit of Greek yogurt instead of cream. Used dried thyme (1/3 the amount).
This dish was so delicious! My husband loves Chicken Marsala so I thought I’d check your recipes and found it. So easy to do, your directions and how to photos are so well laid out, unpretentious and great! I served this with French green beans & buttered fettuccine noodles. This one is now in our “excellent recipes to always use” folder.
I also made your Beef Stew with Carrots & Potatoes and WOW-SERS! My spouse liked it so much, he shared his delight with our small group meeting yesterday. He went on about it, “she hit it out of the park”, etc. I was embarrassed but pumped. My friends asked for your website. The changes: we only had ¼ c of Marsala wine so used that with ¾ c dry white wine. I didn’t have beef broth so used chicken. Jennifer, I am finding out I just simply can’t go wrong with your recipes, I’m sold! Thanks!
😊
This recipe is easy to prepare and delicious! It’s the first time I cooked with Marsala wine, and the dry wine wor,ed well. Some other recipes recommended sweet and it was confusing. Thanks, Jenn, for your guidance And the fantastic wonderful recipe!
Fabulous! My family immediately responded to this dish with a resounding ‘YUMMM’ around the table ( and we all know how great that feels 😉
Another great chicken dish to add to my go-to list!
The recipe came together very well; looked great. However, I found it a little too rich for my taste. Probably the cream in the sauce. Has anyone tried it with half and half instead? I would love to make this again with less effect on my digestive system. Thanks for any input
Hi Selma, You could definitely use half and half, although the sauce won’t thicken as much. Hope that helps!
I tried this with half and half last week and it did not work. It curdled which left bland flavor and off texture. May try it without cream next time. Used marsala wine from Trader Joe’s which also seemed lacking in flavor.
Good to know that the half and half gave you lackluster results – thanks for weighing in – I’m sure other readers will appreciate it (and sorry to hear this was not a total success for you)!
This dish was so good! My husband requested that I make Chicken Marsala and I’m so glad that I checked this website for a recipe. I’m making your Beef Stew with Carrots & Potatoes today!
I just can’t go wrong with your recipes! Thank you!!
I just made this and served it with gnocchi and green beans. I think I was a little too impatient with the sauce and it didn’t quite thicken as much as I hoped BUT I’m not upset because it tasted fabulous. I took Jenn’s advice and cut my chicken breasts horizontally and they cooked evenly and quickly. Also only had dried instead of fresh thyme, no matter it was still gorgeous.
Thank you for all your recipes Jenn, they’re always wonderful!!
I’m on a marsala high…This dish was SO GOOD! I literally just finished eating and I had to tell someone how good it was. I’ve made a lot of Jenn’s dishes and this one made me feel like a solid chef. Chicken was perfect, sauce was balanced…I have no complaints. I added 2T of arrowroot at the end with 1/2 T (ish) of flour to thicken a little more. I didn’t want to sacrifice anymore liquid. Sides were long-grain white rice and broccolini. *typical italian finger to lip kiss* Oh, I happen to use buttermilk because that’s what I bought and forgot I needed the heavy cream. That may have been factor of needing to add thickener. I’ll make with HC next time, but just know, if you run into the same predicament, buttermilk ain’t too bad either. Can’t wait for the cookbook to get here!!
SO SO SO good! I only had 1% milk, so I thickened the sauce with some Wondra flour and it turned out perfectly (and I only cooked the sauce for about 7 minutes). I served with roasted broccoli and cauliflower. Both my husband and my toddler thought it was delicious and asked for it again soon.
This is amazing! I’ve made it twice already and it will certainly go into my regular repertoire. I served it once over egg noodles and once over riced cauliflower–you definitely want something to soak up the delicious sauce!
I made the chicken marsala and it was fabulous! A definite do again!
I made this for a dinner with my inlaws, everyone enjoyed it. It’s very easy and quick if you’re looking for something fast and impressive to serve company.
I have made this twice now! It is the most delicious chicken Marsala that I have had anywhere even my husband and mother in law agree. So easy to make, instructions are very easy to follow. I feel like a 5 star rated chef when I make this! Thank you so much for all you do to help the Home cook feel like a gourmet chef and baker!!
I made your delicious Chicken Marsala recipe, and it was absolutely delicious!!! My husband and son could not get enough. I made a double batch of the sauce because I made pasta noodles as a bed for the chicken, and the sauce became a base for the noodles, as well. I also added baby Bella mushrooms in addition to Cremini, and it made a delightful tasting sauce. Thanks Jenn, for the great recipe. I can’t get enough! It is definitely a keeper!
Would using a cast iron skillet work? I’ve been using mine a lot lately. I know it can get hot and hold heat so perhaps it would be a bit drying of the chicken breasts?
Thank you!
Hi Holly, As long as your cast iron pan is well seasoned, it should be just fine. Hope you enjoy!
I made this last night for dinner and it was amazing! served with orzo tossed with my best olive oil and fresh asparagus.
My husband loved it!
These is a wonderful dish. I want to make it for 8 people – do I just double everything? I have preordered your book at Amazon.
Your recipes are great and I am a senior citizen who still loves to cook.
Hi Bernice, So happy you’re enjoying the recipes — and thank you for your support with my cookbook! Yes, you can just double everything and of course you’ll need to cook the chicken in two separate batches. Hope it turns out well!
Possibly the best chicken recipe I have ever cooked. Wow! The whole family loved it. Thank you for another amazing meal.
I made this recipe the other night with one substitution, I used thin sliced boneless pork chops. I did not bread them, just browned them. Everything turned out fabulous! My kitchen smelled wonderful, the dish tasted incredibly good. Paired it with basil risotto, it was heaven! A bit of work, but well worth it! Thank you!
An interesting happening…I made Chicken Marsala using a 5-star recipe from the Food Network and it was a real disappointment!! Since there are just two of us, I saved 3 pieces of the browned chicken to eat as leftovers the next day. Then, I received your email and saw your recipe (which was very different from the other) and decided to make Chicken Marsala again the next night using your recipe. Your recipe did not disappoint, the result was night and day different and absolutely delicious even using my leftover chicken breasts!! I will be making this again for guests. Your recipes never disappoint and I am always excited to receive them in my email. Looking forward to your cookbook! Thanks Jenn!
OMG! Another big hit! I made this recipe on Sunday and my husband and I loved it! I can’t wait to get your cookbook! I preordered it last year. Thanks for all your wonderful recipes. We enjoy making and eating them!
I loved this recipe. As a matter of fact every recipe that I try that’s yours I love. If you put it out there I know it’s going to be good. I told my daughter I wanted her to come over for dinner this week because I want to cook this for her. It Is Absolutely EXcellent!!!
😊
I made this recipe and it was great I would say that the next time I make it, I will use a stainless steel pan to ensure the chicken browns. Also, in my impatience for the sauce to thicken, I added some cream cheese which did not change taste but did for the consistency. The next time I make, I will add some patience and prepare according to recipe.
This recipe was absolutely delicious! I had never had chicken Marsala before and wanted to take a stab at it. Seriously so good and easy! I’m pretty sure this will be a go to meal of mine!!
I made this earlier this week and, as I was eating, thought to myself, “This is one of the best recipes I’ve ever made!”. I blushfully admit to literally licking my plate clean! : ) Thanks, Jenn, for another wonderfully delicious meal – you never disappoint!
Just made this for the first time. Yummy!
Question: why did you add the cream so early in the cooking process? Most recipes like this want you to reduce the wine and broth, then add a smaller quantity of cream to finish. Am curious why you opted to do it this way. Thanks!
Good question, Christine. I know that’s different than the norm. I used a process of trial and error when I was developing the recipe and found the sauce was taking a long time to reduce; I decided to add the cream in earlier and, because it worked, I just kept it as is. 🙂
Hi Jenn,
I just made this tonight and it was absolutely delish! I followed the recipe exactly and it turned out perfect! Thanks again for the recipe!
Thank you again Jenn. Made this last night. (I halved the recipe since it was just my bf and I) It was excellent. (and I had no doubt that it would be)Wouldn’t change a thing.
fyi – I made with (my version) of mashed cauliflower and your wonderful Brussel sprouts. (i’ll try your mashed cauliflower at some point… mine i just steam, add a little olive oil and a little cream cheese) Hugs!
I was dying to make this since I saw it on your website. I made it tonight, and I’m happy to report that it was fantastic! I had a big package of chicken so I did two batches. There was plenty of butter and oil left in the pan, so I didn’t have to add any more. Thanks!
Hi Jenn,
The marsala that you used is it dry or sweet.
Thanks in advance for your response.
Arlene Nelson
It’s dry Marsala. Hope you enjoy!
I made this last night and it was delicious. I was wondering if I used this recipe with veal if there was anything that I would need to change? Thank you for another incredible recipe.
Glad you enjoyed it! I think it would work nicely with veal with no changes necessary.
I made this delicious dish. Can I make it ahead of time like in the morning of serving?
Hi Hugh, I do think this is best made right before serving but leftovers do reheat well, so you could probably get away with it.
Tried this and love it. Easy to make and so delicious
Another thumbs up after a OUAC dinner! This was delicious!
I only had oyster mushrooms but they tasted just fine with the sauce.
I served it with potatoes and steamed broccoli. Perfect meal! This would be so easy to make ahead for a dinner party!
How can I make it wheat and gluten free?
I have subs for the cream based on readers feedback. I’m on gluten, wheat and dairy free for 6 weeks.
Hi Diane, you can use gluten-free flour in place of the all-purpose here, and just make sure the chicken broth you use is gluten-free. Enjoy!
Just excellent! Easy, tasty and good enough for guests! Had no Marsala and, after consulting Ms Google, I substituted a slurp of cognac and white wine to give the same volume. Worked well 😋
Adding to my previous review, I served the Chicken Marsala over angel hair pasta with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a side of steamed broccoli. Delicious!
This recipe is excellent – we loved it! Thank you, Jenn, for sharing all of your great recipes❤️
Awesome recipe! Made this for the family and it was easy and delicious!
This recipe looks great! I have guests who can’t eat either onion/shallots or garlic. Do you have any suggestions for substitutions?
Hi Sue, If they’re able to eat scallions, I’d suggest finishing the dish off with a sprinkling of them. If they can’t, I would just leave the onions and garlic out (although, unfortunately, I will affect the flavor of the dish).
Hi Jen:
I love your recipes so I’m going to give this a try. I do not have fresh thyme right now so if I use dried, how much should I use?
Hi Debbie, I’d use a half teaspoon. Hope you enjoy it!
Rich’s makes a non-dairy coffee creamer (frozen) which I have used as a substitute and it works well.
I am planning to cook your chicken Marsala recipe for dinner with friends. I need a few suggestions of what to fix that would complete this meal.
Thank you.
Patsy
Hi Patsy, This would go well with the Green Beans with Shallots and Parmesan Smashed Potatoes. Also, I have a relatively new feature on the website– for all main dishes, I suggest one or two sides that I think would pair nicely with them. To see what I’ve suggested, scroll to the top of the recipe page and, right under the recipe title, you’ll see a bar with several options, one of which says “pair with.” If you click on this, you’ll see the sides I’ve suggested. Hope that helps!
Hello Jenn,
This recipe looks great! Will be trying it shortly. Did you use red or white Marsala?
Thanks,
Lisa
Hi Lisa, I have not seen dry Marsala classified as white or red – it is more of a rich caramel color. Hope that helps!
Hi Jennifer, Going to make this tomorrow. Could I sub whole milk for heavy cream for a tad lighter sauce? Thanks, Sally
Hi Sally, You can but the sauce won’t thicken up like it would with the cream. Please LMK how it turns out!
I made this tonight and it was delicious! I used cutlets bc I’m short on time(2 babies) and used the parsley as my greens! Served over angel hair pasta. I also used regular red wine not Marsala and we loved it!
I have Sweet Marsala wine. Would this be an appropriate substitution?
Thank you!
That’s fine, Rita – it won’t make a big difference. You may find you need a squeeze of lemon at the end to balance the sweetness though.
Hi Jennifer,
I wonder what stainless steel pan you are using for the recipe “Chicken Masala”?and what size?
Best Regards,
Marjanne
Hi Marjanne, I’m using a 12-inch All-Clad pan. Hope that helps!
I plan to make it substituting Trader Joe’s unflavored non-dairy creamer for the heavy cream. Having used it as a substitution before, it adds richness and thickens a bit.
Please report back on how it turns out with that!
The recipe calls for dry Marasala wine, but is it red or white?
Hi Stewart, Typically Marsala is not classified as red or white, but rather dry or sweet. Dry Marsala is a rich caramel color. Hope that clarifies!
Hi Jen,
The dish looks great and I want to try it. However I don’t use any alcohol, so should I substitute it with something else?
Thanks
Hi Najwa, You can omit the Marsala wine – it won’t be Chicken Marsala but it should still be delicious. You might consider a squeeze of lemon at the end for some bright flavor. 🙂
Hi, could this dish be made dairy free?
Hi Kate, This is a tough one to make dairy-free. You could try replacing the butter with olive oil and replacing the cream with more chicken broth, but the sauce wouldn’t thicken.
What if I used a cornstarch or cup 4 cup (just about the same thing!) slurry to thicken?
Good idea! I’d love to know how it turns out if you try it.
This looks fabulous but I don’t like mushrooms. Is there a substitute?
I’ve really gotten back into cooking in the last year and I love your site. Looking forward to your cookbook and some warmer weather this spring!
Hi Lisa, I think you could just leave them out – or thinly sliced bell peppers would be good.
I made this tonight with no mushrooms but followed all other directions and it was AMAZING!!! Thank you for all of your wonderful recipes!
In your notes, you specify using a stainless steel pan to brown the chicken. I use a cast iron pan virtually for all my cooking…can that be used as well in this recipe?
Hi Aron, As long as your cast iron pan is well seasoned, it should be just fine. Hope you enjoy!
Hi Jenn, We love your recipes! I’m wondering if you have any ideas on how to make this recipe dairy free as I don’t mix meat and dairy together?
Thanks, Sharon
Hi Sharon, So glad you’re enjoying the recipes! Unfortunately, this recipe is very reliant on the cream, both to thicken the sauce and mellow the flavor. You could try replacing the butter with olive oil and replacing the cream with more chicken broth, but the sauce wouldn’t thicken.
Hi Jenn,
I’ve made quite a few of your recipes and love them all! I’ve preordered your cook book for all of my sisters. One for me, too, of course. I just wondered if I could make this recipe right before my guests arrive and keep it warm in the oven until we eat.
Hi Cindy, Glad you’re enjoying the recipes! I think that’d be fine as long as it’s not in the oven for too long, otherwise the chicken will overcook. You could also just hold it at room temp for 30 minutes or so, then reheat.
I think your photos are wonderful. Every step is clear. I must also add…delicious.
Thanks, Betsy – glad you like them! 🙂
Hi Jen,
Could you offer some advice for altering the recipe for people who can’t do dairy?
Hi Mimi, Unfortunately, this recipe is very reliant on the butter and cream, both to thicken the sauce and smooth the flavor. You could try replacing the butter with olive oil and replacing the cream with more chicken broth, but the sauce wouldn’t thicken.
What would you pair this with ?
This would pair nicely with French Green Beans with Shallots and Parmesan Smashed Potatoes. And just a heads up that I have a relatively new feature on the website– for all main dishes, I suggest one or two sides that I think would pair nicely with them. To see what I’ve suggested, scroll to the top of the recipe page and, immediately under the recipe title, you’ll see a bar with several options, one of which says “pair with.” If you click on this, you’ll see the sides I’ve suggested. Hope you enjoy!