Chicken Marsala
Golden sautéed chicken cutlets in a rich mushroom and Marsala wine sauce finished with a touch of cream. An Italian-American restaurant favorite at home in 35 minutes; serves 4.
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Marsala is a fortified wine from Sicily, and cooked down with mushrooms it makes a deep, slightly sweet sauce that is made for chicken or veal. The dish became an Italian-American restaurant staple and is easy to make at home.
Use dry Marsala for savory cooking, and do not skip browning the mushrooms well; that is where much of the flavor comes from.
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
- Salt and black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 8 ounces cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup dry Marsala wine
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Make cutlets. Slice each breast in half horizontally and pound to 1/4 inch. Season with salt and pepper and dredge in flour.
- Cook the chicken. Heat 2 tablespoons oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the cutlets 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through (165°F). Move to a plate.
- Brown the mushrooms. Add the remaining oil and the mushrooms and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until browned. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Make the sauce. Add the Marsala and simmer for 2 minutes, scraping the pan. Add the broth and simmer 4 to 5 minutes, until reduced by about a third. Stir in the cream and the remaining butter.
- Finish. Return the chicken to the pan and simmer 1 to 2 minutes, spooning sauce over it. Sprinkle with parsley.
Tips
- Dry Marsala is best for savory dishes; sweet Marsala makes the sauce more like dessert.
- Leave out the cream for the traditional, lighter version.
Questions about this recipe
- Can I substitute another wine for Marsala?
- Dry sherry or Madeira are the closest substitutes.
- What do you serve with chicken Marsala?
- Mashed potatoes, buttered noodles or linguine, and a green vegetable.
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