Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian-American dish that's perfect for a quick yet flavorful dinner. Tender chicken breasts are lightly floured and pan-fried, then simmered in a rich, savory sauce made with Marsala wine and mushrooms. This easy-to-make meal delivers restaurant-quality results at home, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to something special.
Prepare the chicken. Place each chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet, pound the chicken to an even 1/2-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Dredge in flour. Coat each chicken breast lightly in flour, shaking off any excess.
Sear the chicken. Heat the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
Cook the mushrooms. In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they’re golden and softened.
Make the sauce. Add the minced garlic to the mushrooms and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the Marsala wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Add the chicken broth. Stir in the chicken broth and let the sauce simmer for another 5 minutes to thicken. If you prefer a creamier sauce, add the heavy cream at this stage.
Finish the dish. Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, turning to coat them in the sauce. Let the chicken simmer for 5 minutes, allowing it to absorb the flavors of the sauce.
Serve. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot, with mashed potatoes or pasta on the side.
For more flavor, use a mixture of cremini and shiitake mushrooms. Don’t skip the step of reducing the Marsala wine, as this intensifies the flavor of the sauce. If you don’t have Marsala wine, a dry sherry or even a sweet white wine can be used as a substitute. For a low-carb version, skip the flour dredging and just pan-sear the chicken.