This Chicken Marsala recipe is made all in one pan, in less than 30 minutes, prep included! Whip up this easy dinner and enjoy rich creamy marsala sauce studded with caramelized mushrooms on top of seared, juicy chicken.
Creamy Chicken Marsala is an easy, one-pan, 30 minute meal. Mushrooms and chicken, simmered in a rich marsala wine sauce is a quick, delicious dinner for both family and guests.
If there’s one trick I’ve learned for making a weeknight dinner exciting, it’s to include a luscious, flavorful sauce. It can jazz up the simplest ingredients, even the humble chicken breast.
In just one pan, with common, easy to find ingredients, this easy chicken marsala takes 2 chicken breasts and feeds at least 4. Caramelized mushrooms, garlic, and marsala wine build a beautiful flavor profile for a sauce that’s finished with all the good things, butter and cream.
The result? A lick-the-spoon-clean chicken dinner that will take you only 30 minutes to get on the table.
To make this all you’ll need is…
- 2 chicken breasts
- Button or baby bella mushrooms
- Garlic
- Marsala Wine
- Chicken stock
- Unsalted butter
- Oil
- Salt & Pepper
- Heavy Cream
- Cornstarch
- Water
PRO TIP: Cornstarch is thickener made from corn. Mix it with cool water to make a slurry, then whisk into a hot liquid, to create a glossy, creamy sauce in just moments. It doesn’t affect flavor, and it’s fairly foolproof!
This creamy chicken marsala recipe is designed to yield plenty of extra, creamy marsala sauce. We all know that’s the best part!
Fun Fact: Marsala wine is a fortified, sweet wine that originated in Sicily. It can be marketed as sweet, or dry, and is most commonly used to make delicious sauces. While the authentic stuff is fantastic, your supermarket marsala works perfectly in this recipe!
Be sure to have a pot of pasta, rice, or a nice loaf of bread on hand to soak up all the extra goodness.
Tips for making the best Chicken Marsala
- Pull your chicken out of the fridge before you do anything else, the closer it comes to room temperature, the more evenly it will cook.
- Prep ALL of your ingredients before you begin cooking. Slice your chicken and mushrooms, mince your garlic, and have your other ingredients measured and ready. Those first 10 minutes of prep time are the secret to a successful 30 minute meal!
- Taste as you go! Try a mushroom once they’re caramelized and add a dash more salt if you want it. Taste the marsala sauce before you add the cornstarch and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Adjust the heat on your pan for different steps. Sear on higher heat, let the sauce simmer on medium to low.
- Be sure to whisk constantly and add your cream and cornstarch slurry in slowly. This helps the sauce become creamy without lumps, and ensures your sauce won’t break.
This has pretty instantly become a family favorite in my house. It’s so easy and satisfying.
Pro Tip: Wiping mushrooms clean with a damp paper towel, rather than washing them under water, will prevent them from retaining excess water. You’ll get better, quicker caramelization.
I promise you won’t be missing pricey chicken marsala from a restaurant when you can make this insanely delicious, creamy chicken marsala at home in less time!
Can I pound the chicken flat instead of slicing?
Absolutely. You can either slice in half, pound to about ½ inch thick, or use thin chicken cutlets that are prepped for you.
I found that slicing an average chicken breast in half gave me the right thickness for it to cook through, without over or undercooking.
Can I leave out the cream?
The cream plays an essential role in mellowing out the intensity of the wine for a pleasant rounded flavor.
If you need to leave it out, increase the chicken stock to 1 cup, and use 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with half a tablespoon of water to thicken it properly.
Can this be used for pork cutlets?
Sure! I think that’d be delicious. Use thin cuts of pork and the same exact recipe.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Let it cool to room temperature then store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw in the fridge, then reheat in a pan or the microwave to enjoy later.
Serve this chicken marsala with:
Here are more of my favorite mushroom recipes:
- Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms
- Mushroom Sauce for Steak
- Asiago Mushroom Salmon
- Garlic Herb Sauteed Mushrooms
- Alfredo Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
- Even more dinner ideas!
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Chicken Marsala
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cups brown mushrooms , sliced (12 small mushrooms)
- 4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 ½ cups marsala wine
- ⅔ cup chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil , divided
- 3 tablespoons butter , unsalted
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 1/4 teaspoon salt , divided
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon cold water
Instructions
- Slice your chicken breasts in half and set aside. Wash and slice your mushrooms and set aside. Mince garlic and assemble remaining ingredients.
- Heat a large, rimmed skillet over medium heat. When hot add in a tablespoon each of oil and butter. When butter is melted, add in your mushrooms with a ¼ tsp of salt. Let caramelize, stirring occasionally, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Season your sliced chicken with 1 tsp of salt and a ½ tsp of pepper.
- Once golden, remove mushrooms to a bowl. Turn heat to medium high and add another tablespoon each of oil and butter.
- When the butter is melted, add chicken to the pan and sear on each side, until golden brown. About 3-4 minutes per side.
- Remove chicken and turn heat to low. Add garlic and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Slowly pour in Marsala wine, scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. When all the wine is added, add the chicken stock and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Once bubbling, let cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Slowly, while stirring, add in the heavy cream and final tablespoon of butter until completely combined. Taste and adjust salt if desired.
- Whisk together two teaspoons of cornstarch with one teaspoon of cool water until smooth. Slowly add the slurry into the pan while stirring.
- When sauce is thickening, return mushrooms and chicken to the pan, coating them with sauce and mushrooms until everything is hot.
- Serve immediately with a generous serving of sauce.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was!
Love the presentation and I just want to grab it all. Love the juicy texture of the chicken and the sauce looks delicious.
Easy to make and thanks for including instructions on what to do if you are out of cream. Lifesaver!
We have been spending a lot more time in the kitchen, cooking as a family lately. It has been fun to involve the kids with recipe research and cooking! We found your recipe and we made it today! It was a success and a hit with everybody!
Such a delicious dinner! Love that you can make it so fast!
Our new favorite chicken marsala recipe – thank you SO much!