Chicken Marsala (Chicken in Marsala and Mushroom Sauce)
Why this recipe works
- Layered pan sauce: Browning the chicken and mushrooms first creates savoury fond in the pan, which is lifted into the Marsala sauce for depth.
- Fast, even cooking: Thin chicken cutlets cook quickly and stay tender, making the dish practical for a weeknight dinner.
- Silky finish: Cream and a final swirl of butter round out the reduced wine and stock, giving the sauce body without making it heavy.
Get the most out of this recipe
Ingredient notes
- Choose a suitable Marsala: Marsala gives the sauce its recognisable sweet, nutty character. A dry or semi-dry style keeps the dish savoury rather than dessert-like.
- Brown the mushrooms well: Let the mushrooms release their moisture and take on colour before adding the wine; this concentrates their flavour and prevents a watery sauce.
Common mistakes
- Avoid crowding the chicken: Cook the cutlets in batches so they brown instead of steaming. Good colour on the chicken improves both texture and sauce flavour.
- Do not overcook the cutlets: The chicken only needs to be just cooked through before it returns to the sauce; too much time in the pan can make lean breast meat dry.
- Keep the cream gentle: Lower the heat before adding the cream and avoid boiling the finished sauce, which helps it stay smooth and glossy.
Ingredient swaps
- Milder mushrooms: Button mushrooms can replace cremini mushrooms if you prefer a lighter, less earthy flavour.
- Without Marsala: For an alcohol-free version, use extra chicken stock with a small splash of vinegar or lemon juice for balance, though the flavour will be less nutty and complex.
- Lighter cream: Single cream can be used instead of double cream; let the sauce reduce gently a little longer so it still coats the chicken.
Make-ahead tips
- Prep before cooking: Slice the chicken, mushrooms and garlic ahead of time so the pan-frying and sauce-making can move quickly once you start.
- Reheat gently: Warm leftovers over low heat with a little chicken stock until piping hot, avoiding a hard boil to keep the sauce from splitting.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Slice the chicken breast horizontally to make thin cutlets, then pat dry. Mix the plain flour with the fine sea salt and black pepper in a shallow bowl. Dust the chicken lightly in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess.
- Heat the olive oil and 20 g of the unsalted butter in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Pan-fry the chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through, then transfer to a plate. Keep warm while you make the sauce.
- Add 20 g more butter to the pan and reduce the heat to medium. Slice the cremini mushrooms and cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring, until browned and their liquid has evaporated. Finely chop the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the Marsala wine and simmer for 2–3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits, until reduced by about half. Add the chicken stock and simmer for 4–5 minutes until the sauce looks slightly glossy and reduced. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the double cream.
- Return the chicken and any resting juices to the pan and warm through for 2 minutes, turning to coat. Take the pan off the heat and swirl in the remaining 20 g butter until melted and the sauce looks silky. Taste and adjust with a little more fine sea salt or black pepper if needed, then spoon the sauce over the chicken to serve.
Recipe notes
Tips
- For the most tender result, keep the chicken cutlets an even thickness so they cook quickly without drying out.
- Let the mushrooms brown properly before adding the Marsala wine; if the pan is crowded they will steam rather than colour.
- If serving anyone who is pregnant, elderly, or immunocompromised, make sure the chicken is cooked until piping hot throughout.
Substitutions
- Replace cremini mushrooms with button mushrooms for a milder flavour.
- Replace Marsala wine with dry sherry for a similar sweet, nutty note.
- Replace double cream with single cream for a lighter sauce, simmering a little longer to reduce.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 2 days
- Cool, then refrigerate in a sealed container. Reheat gently in a frying pan over low heat with a splash of chicken stock until piping hot; avoid boiling once reheated to keep the sauce smooth.
Ratings & reviews
Liked this recipe? Share your feedback to support our cooking community.
Tried this recipe?
Choose 1–5 stars. A comment is optional.
Stay inspired
Discover new recipes, seasonal favourites and cooking inspiration every day. Follow JustRecipes on Pinterest and Spillt.
Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 40min (35min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: American
-
Allergens:
Gluten Milk Wheat
Plan your meals and get a complete grocery list automatically.
Add to meal plannerEquipment you'll need
Got ingredients left?
Find recipes using ingredients from this recipe or what you already have at home.
Find recipes with these ingredients →Make this recipe easier next time
AdvertisementThese tools help you get better results with less effort.
OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
- Two useful sizes with reversible cutting surfaces
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
- Plastic surfaces will show knife marks over time
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick Fry Pan 12 Inch
- Excellent price-performance
- Thermo-Spot heat indicator
- Not induction compatible
Teakhaus Large Teak Cutting Board
- Large, durable and knife-friendly teak surface
- FSC-certified wood with a premium finish
- Requires hand washing and occasional oiling
Misen Carbon Steel Nonstick Frying Pan 12 Inch
- Works on all stovetops
- Naturally nonstick when seasoned
- Requires seasoning and maintenance
Enjoy cooking with JustRecipes?
Add JustRecipes as one of your preferred Google sources to discover our recipes more easily across Google Search.
Add JustRecipes to GoogleEvery recipe on JustRecipes follows the same structured editorial process. Learn how recipes are created, validated, translated, illustrated, and continuously improved across the platform. How we create recipes.

























