Recipe

Best Chicken Marsala Recipe (Rich and Savory)

Golden pan-seared chicken cutlets in a glossy Marsala mushroom sauce that tastes restaurant-level but behaves like a weeknight dinner.

By Matt Campbell

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4.9

A real photograph of golden chicken marsala in a skillet with sautéed mushrooms and a glossy brown Marsala sauce, finished with chopped parsley

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Chicken Marsala is one of those dishes that makes people think you did something complicated. You did not. You just browned chicken, sautéed mushrooms, and let a little wine and broth turn into a rich, savory sauce that clings to everything like it pays rent.

This version is built for home kitchens: thin chicken cutlets for fast cooking, a quick flour dredge for crisp edges, and a Marsala sauce that stays silky without getting heavy. It is cozy, punchy, and dangerously spoonable.

A real photograph of chicken cutlets browning in a stainless steel skillet with sliced mushrooms nearby on a cutting board

Why It Works

Fast, even cooking: Thin cutlets mean no raw centers and no dry chicken. You are in and out of the skillet quickly.
Real flavor from the pan: Browning the chicken first builds fond, then the mushrooms soak it up. That is the secret sauce before the sauce.
Balanced richness: Marsala brings sweetness and depth, broth brings savoriness, and a small splash of cream makes it velvety without turning it into soup.
Glossy, restaurant-style texture: A quick simmer reduces the sauce so it coats the back of a spoon and actually sticks to your pasta or potatoes.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Refrigerate: Store chicken and sauce together in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken as it chills.

Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of chicken broth or water to loosen the sauce. Avoid boiling hard or the chicken can go tough.

Freeze: You can freeze it for up to 2 months, but cream sauces can separate a bit. If you know you are freezing, consider leaving out the cream and adding it fresh when reheating.

Leftover move: Slice the chicken and pile it onto toasted bread with extra mushrooms and sauce. It is messy in the best way.

Common Questions

What kind of Marsala wine should I use?

Use dry Marsala for the classic savory restaurant flavor. Sweet Marsala can work in a pinch, but the sauce will taste noticeably sweeter. If you only have sweet Marsala, skip the cream and add a squeeze of lemon at the end to balance it.

Can I make Chicken Marsala without cream?

Yes. Traditional versions are often cream-free. Just finish with an extra tablespoon of butter for shine, and reduce the sauce a little longer so it feels rich.

Why is my sauce thin?

Usually it just needs more simmer time. Reduce uncovered until it lightly coats a spoon. If you are in a hurry, mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and whisk it in, then simmer 30 to 60 seconds.

Why is my sauce bitter?

This can happen if the garlic burns or the fond gets too dark. Keep heat at medium to medium-high, and deglaze promptly once the mushrooms and aromatics are fragrant.

Can I use chicken thighs?

Absolutely. Use boneless, skinless thighs and cook a little longer. You still want a good sear, and you still want to rest them briefly before finishing in the sauce.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

Large skillet (stainless steel or cast iron, 12-inch is ideal)
Meat mallet or rolling pin (for thinning chicken)
Shallow bowl or plate (for flour dredge)
Tongs
Wooden spoon (for scraping fond)
Instant-read thermometer (helpful, not required)

The first time I made Chicken Marsala at home, I treated it like a fancy-restaurant project. Too many steps, too much stress, not enough tasting. These days I make it like a friend cooking for friends: cutlets thin enough to cook fast, mushrooms browned until they actually taste like something, and a sauce I keep reducing until it looks glossy and a little dramatic. It is the kind of dinner that makes a random Tuesday feel like a plan.