This Chicken Marsala is a true Italian-American classic, but without cream. Tender pan-fried chicken is coated in a rich wine and mushroom sauce, and the whole dish comes together in under 30 minutes.
Why Chicken Marsala Still Tastes Rich and Luxurious Without Adding Cream
Over the years, I've adjusted this chicken marsala recipe to suit the way I like it. Instead of pounding the chicken, I slice the breasts in half lengthwise; it's faster, cleaner, and the cutlets brown beautifully every time. The sauce is always the star of this easy dinner for me. The buttery mushrooms, soft shallots, and Marsala wine come together in one pan to create deep, rich flavor, making this Chicken in Marsala wine a favorite for weeknights or any night I want something simple and quick.
Traditional Italian Chicken Marsala is not made with cream, and I prefer keeping it closer to that. Cream became a popular American restaurant addition later, but I find it dulls the depth of the wine. Without cream, the sauce reduces naturally and becomes glossy and rich on its own, allowing the mushrooms and Marsala wine to shine with even more balanced flavor.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: You don't need anything fancy, just a few pantry staples and a good splash of Marsala wine.
- Quick and Easy: You can have this chicken dinner ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for a busy weeknight.
Ingredients
You'll find the exact measurements in the recipe card, but here's a closer look at a few of the ingredients and why I use them.
- Chicken & Seasoning: I use boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced into thin cutlets, then season with salt and black pepper so the chicken stays tender and flavorful.
- Flour, Olive Oil & Butter: A light flour coating helps the chicken brown nicely, and the combination of extra virgin olive oil and butter gives the pan sauce a rich base.
- Mushrooms, Shallot, Garlic & Thyme: Cremini mushrooms soak up the wine beautifully, and I prefer shallot over onion for its mild sweetness. Fresh garlic and thyme add depth and that lovely aromatic finish.
- Marsala Wine, Chicken Broth: Dry Marsala wine builds the signature flavor here, and chicken broth balances it.
How to Make Chicken Marsala
You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Slice the Chicken: Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise to make four thin cutlets.
2. Season and Coat: Sprinkle the cutlets with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then lightly coat them with flour.
3. Cook the Chicken: Heat extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
4. Sauté the Mushrooms: In the same pan, melt the butter and add the mushrooms. Cook until browned and softened.
5. Add Aromatics and Seasonings: Stir in the shallot and garlic, cooking for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add thyme, salt, and pepper.
6. Thicken and Deglaze the Sauce: Stir in a bit of flour to help the sauce thicken. Pour the Marsala wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer briefly.
7. Simmer: Add the chicken broth and simmer again until slightly thickened.
8. Finish and Serve: Return the chicken to the skillet and simmer in the sauce for about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm.
What to Serve with Chicken Marsala
When I serve Chicken Marsala, I usually go with creamy mashed potatoes or fresh pasta to catch all that rich sauce. A few slices of crusty ciabatta or garlic bread are perfect for dipping too.
My Tips for Recipe Success
Let the Wine Reduce Properly: I always give the Marsala wine a few minutes to simmer on its own before adding the chicken broth; it helps concentrate the flavor and keeps the sauce from tasting too sharp.
Use a Wide Skillet: A roomy pan helps the sauce reduce properly and gives you space to stir without spilling.
No Cream: Authentic Chicken Marsala doesn't use cream, and I've kept this version true to that. However, if you prefer a creamier finish, you can stir in about ½ cup (120 ml) of cream at the end to make the sauce richer and silkier.
Storage: I let the chicken cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 3 days, and the sauce actually tastes even better the next day!
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Recipe
Easy Chicken Marsala
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 Chicken Breasts
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper - Freshly ground
- 3 tablespoon Flour
- 4 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
For the Marsala Sauce:
- 3 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
- 200 g Cremini Mushrooms - Thinly sliced
- 1 Small Shallot - Chopped
- 2 Cloves Garlic - Minced
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper - Freshly ground
- 2 Sprigs Fresh Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Flour
- 160 ml Marsala Wine
- 250 ml Chicken Broth
- 1 tablespoon Parsley - Chopped
Instructions
- Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise to make 4 thin cutlets. Season both sides with salt and black pepper, then lightly dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess before cooking.
- In a large skillet, heat extra virgin olive oil over medium heat and cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter and add sliced cremini mushrooms. Cook until browned and tender.
- Add the finely chopped shallot and minced garlic, cooking for 1-2 minutes until softened. Season with salt, black pepper, and thyme. Sprinkle in the flour, stir well, and cook for another minute to remove the raw flour taste.
- Pour in the Marsala wine and bring to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Add chicken broth and let the sauce simmer until slightly thickened.
- Return the chicken cutlets to the skillet and simmer for 3 minutes to absorb the flavors. I add little chopped parsley for garnish (optional).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Susan says
This Chicken Marsala looks perfect for a cozy meal! I love easy dinner ideas that come together in one pan, especially when the sauce is full of rich flavor like this. Definitely saving this for my next home cooking night!