Baked Chicken Marsala Recipe (2024)

Last updated on . Originally posted on By Paige 4 Comments

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This classic Baked Chicken Marsala Recipe never disappoints..it’s downright delicious year-round. This is comfort food that’s perfect for a special dinner, date night, or just for yourself.

Jump to:
  • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients You’ll Need
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • Expert Tips
  • Serving Ideas
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Recipes to Try:
  • Baked Chicken Marsala Recipe
  • Subscribe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A tender piece of chicken that’s full of flavor and melts in your mouth…folks, that is what this Chicken Marsala Recipe is all about. It’s just a classic favorite, and no wonder!

Here’s some good reasons to make this delicious thing:

  • This is a perfect dinner to make if you’re having company, or want to impress someone with your cooking.
  • The flavors are incredible. While we typically don’t drink Marsala wine on its own, the alcohol cooks out and leaves behind an incredibly flavorful piece of chicken.
  • The variety of mushrooms in this recipe adds texture and with the wine and chicken stock makes a flavorful sauce.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the full instructions and list of ingredients, please scroll down to the recipe card below.

  • Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are what we need
  • Lemon: Fresh lemon juice is a perfect balance to these rich flavors
  • Butter: See above 🙂
  • Bacon: This flavors the whole dish in the most delicious way
  • Shallot: Milder than regular onions, with a little sweetness
  • Mushrooms: The star of the show are these delicious mushrooms
  • Marsala Wine: The key ingredient for this recipe…don’t worry, the alcohol evaporates out with cooking!

Step-by-Step Instructions

For the full recipe and list of instructions, please scroll to the recipe card below.

This recipe has several steps, but all of them are easy to manage. It basically goes like this:

  1. Prep the chicken by pounding it lightly to a 1/2 inch thickness, then dredge it in flour and seasonings and cook it in a skillet until it’s brown on both sides.
  2. Make a fabulous mushroom sauce with bacon, three varieties of mushrooms, shallots, garlic, tomato paste and Marsala wine.
  3. Combine the two and cook them together, then finish with a little butter, fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
  4. Totally delicious!

Expert Tips

  • When purchasing the chicken breasts, look for two thicker breasts, as they will be sliced in half horizontally to make four thinner breasts.
  • When cooking the chicken in the skillet, go for a very light golden brown before turning to the other side. The chicken will finish cooking in the oven, and it should be at least 165 degrees with an instant read thermometer by the time you’re ready to serve it.

Serving Ideas

  • Chicken Marsala is a wonderful dinner to serve if you have guests, it’s a little on the fancy side, but it’s not difficult to make. Some good salad options to serve with it are this Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad, this roasted pear salad would be wonderful too, or go for a simple, crunchy celery salad to go alongside.
  • Dessert is important too, so try something like these little blueberry pies, these thick, soft and lemony shortbread cookies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or raspberry sorbet, or make this homey and delicious warm fruit crisp using whatever seasonal fruit you have on hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I can’t find all the mushrooms needed for this recipe?

Just use one type then, of the variety you can find. For example, use Crimini mushrooms for the whole recipe if that’s all you can find.

More Recipes to Try:

  • Chicken Salad with Grapes and Almonds: Classic chicken salad with a twist!
  • How to Store and Reheat Rotisserie Chicken: A handy guide.
  • Chicken with Stewed Tomatoes: A hearty, delicious and easy dinner…
  • Baked Pasta and Chicken Sausage: A reader favorite for good reason!
  • Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe: This is a favorite pasta bake recipe!
  • Cookie Dough Bites Recipe: Tasty and healthy little snack bites!
  • Tin Foil Baked Chicken with Vegetables: A healthy, delicious dinner.
  • Turkey Burger Sliders Recipe: A great snack for game night!

If you’ve tried this Baked Chicken Marsala Recipe, or any other recipe on Studio Delicious, please rate the recipe 5 stars and tell me how you liked it in comments below!

Looking for more tips and fresh, homemade recipes? Join my email list, tag and follow me on Instagram using #studiodeliciouseats, follow my boards on Pinterest, and see what I’m up to on Facebook and Twitter!

Baked Chicken Marsala Recipe (6)

Baked Chicken Marsala Recipe

Baked Chicken Marsala is a classic recipe with great flavor for company or date night!

5 from 4 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Calories: 648kcal

Author: Paige

Ingredients

  • 2 Chicken Breasts, skinless, boneless 8-10 ounces each
  • ½ tsp Salt
  • tsp Pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 cup Flour, all purpose
  • 4 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
  • 3 strips Applewood Smoked Bacon, cut in 1/2" pieces
  • 2 tbsp Shallot, sliced thinly
  • 1 cup Crimini Mushrooms, sliced 1/2" thick
  • 1 cup White Button Mushrooms, sliced 1/2" thick
  • 1 cup sh*take Mushrooms, sliced 1/2'thick
  • 1 Garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon Tomato Paste
  • 1 ½ cups Marsala wine
  • 4 ½ teaspoons Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed
  • 4 tablespoons Butter, unsalted, cut in small pieces z
  • 2 tablespoons Italian Parsley, chopped fine
  • Sunflower oil

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 325F degrees with the oven rack adjusted to the middle.

  • PREPARE THE CHICKEN BREASTS

  • Cut the chicken breasts in half horizontally to make four pieces.

    Cover the chicken in wax paper or plastic wrap, and lightly pound the breasts out evenly, about ½ inch thickness. (You can do this with with a meat pounder or the bottom of a flat jar or (heavy) glass.) Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and season each slice with the salt and pepper.

  • Place the flour on a plate, and dip each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off any excess, then transfer each piece to a separate plate.

  • Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 12 inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.

    Place two chicken pieces in the skillet and cook until golden brown on one side, 3-4 minutes. Turn the chicken over, and continue cooking for 3-6 more minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink inside. Wipe out the skillet, and repeat with the remaining oil and the other two pieces of chicken.

  • Place all four pieces of chicken on a heatproof platter or pie plate, tented loosely with aluminum foil, and bake in the low warm oven while you make the mushroom sauce.

  • To make the mushroom sauce, add the cut pieces of bacon into the same skillet you cooked the chicken, turn it up to medium-high heat, then cook the bacon stirring and scraping the pan bits with a wooden spoon until it's crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove bacon and transfer to a paper-towel lined plate.

  • Add the shallots to the empty pan and cook on medium heat until soft, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, about 3-4 minutes.

  • Add the sliced mushrooms to the pan and continue cooking on medium heat stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are soft and lightly browned on the edges, 6-8 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic clove, tomato paste and the cooked bacon, continue cooking for one minute, then remove the pan from the heat.

  • Stir in the Marsala wine, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the pan with your wooden spoon. Return to the heat, increase heat to medium high, and cook the mixture for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce is slightly thickened, stirring it occasionally.

  • Turn off heat and stir in the lemon juice and butter, a pinch of salt and pepper, and one tablespoon of fresh parsley. Stir gently to combine together.

  • Remove chicken from the oven and place on a serving platter, pour warm sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with remaining fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use a meat pounder or heavy bottom glass jar to pound the meat to half-inch thickness.

Nutrition

Calories: 648kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 454mg | Potassium: 906mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 575IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 3mg

Tips for Success with Every Recipe

  • Super important to read the whole recipe before you begin
  • Pay attention to the ingredient list and photos for the recipe
  • If possible, prep your ingredients a little before you start
  • Always use a sharp knife for safety
  • Use the size of pan called for in the recipe
  • For savory recipes, taste and season as you go
  • Buy fresh, organic ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible

Did you make this recipe?Show me! Tag @studiodelicious or use the hashtag #studiodeliciouseats!

Don’t Miss a Recipe!

Source: Adapted via Cooks Illustrated. Original post text:

I swear I will not complain once in this post about the six feet of snow in my yard. That would just be boring.

I can’t deny that as much as I like crappy weather, and I really do, I’ve just about had it. Farmer’s Market, please. Hello, lemonade, my old friend.

I’ve been doing my share of snow-shoeing, which is nice. And cooking cozy breakfasts and dinners. Which sounds precious, but true. Give me a sweet potato pancake, scrambled eggs and a mug of hot tea and, well.

I’ve been thinking a lot about tweaking classic recipes during this cold and snowy winter and Chicken Marsala is an old favorite.

I haven’t made it in years – and I don’t eat chicken anymore myself – though I’ll happily cook it for family and friends.

One of the best versions of Chicken Marsala I’ve ever tasted was years ago at Martin’s Tavern in Georgetown. It’s one of those super comfy old restaurants with low lighting and dark wood walls – the kind of joint you never want to leave.

Dining there was such a treat I went back every time I returned to DC. While this recipe isn’t from Martin’s, it’s every bit as wonderful.

I highly recommend serving this savory dish with buttered mashed potatoes and extra Marsala sauce on the side. Steamed broccoli would be nice. Cake or pie are optional, but encouraged.

I changed things up a bit and added sliced shallots and used three kinds of mushrooms: shiitake, crimini and white button – for a deep, hearty, comforting flavor.The Marsala sauce is practically drinkable by itself. And hey, why not try it sometime on soft polenta too?

Baked Chicken Marsala Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you bake chicken in oven covered or uncovered? ›

Larger cuts, such as whole chickens or bone-in pieces, often benefit from covered baking to ensure thorough and even cooking. Smaller cuts, like chicken breasts or tenders, can be baked uncovered for quick results. Lastly, think about the desired texture and flavor you're trying to achieve.

Should I use sweet or dry Marsala for chicken marsala? ›

Should you use sweet or dry Marsala in your Chicken Marsala recipe? It doesn't make a huge difference, and either option will produce delicious results, but I would go for dry because the sweet Marsala has a bit too much sugar for such a savory dish.

What's the difference between chicken madeira and Marsala? ›

What's the difference between chicken Madeira and Chicken Marsala? The difference lies in the broth and the wine used. In this chicken madeira recipe, you use beef broth and Madeira wine. The marsala version of the dish is usually made with chicken stock and with Marsala wine.

Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400? ›

You can roast or bake anywhere between 325 and 450 degrees F. When roasting a whole chicken, a nice rule of them is to start at 400 to 425 degrees F and then turn the oven down to 350 after 15 minutes and cook until the internal temp of the chicken is 165 – 175 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.

Should I use aluminum foil when baking chicken? ›

Many people opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for ease, but you can bake any cut of chicken in foil. Chicken breasts work well with the foil treatment, as steaming keeps the meat juicy and it cooks quickly even with the addition of veggies or starches. Chicken tenders would be a great cut to bake in foil, too.

Does the alcohol cook off in chicken marsala? ›

The sauce is made with Marsala wine which is a dry and sweet wine which has a 15-20% alcohol content but don't worry, all of the alcohol will cook out of the sauce. The wine creates a nutty and rich caramelized sauce for the chicken.

How to make chicken marsala thicker? ›

Flour plus fat (butter) = roux. A roux is used as a thickening agent in sauces. Sooo, with the butter from the pan and the butter the mushrooms have absorbed, plus the chicken cutlets coated in flour… This all means when the cutlets get added back to the sauce – that flour and butter combo is what thickens the sauce.

What is the best wine to use in Chicken Marsala? ›

For cooking savory dishes like this one, use a secco (dry), fine (aged one year) ambra or oro Marsala. This impressive dish leans on the wine's flavor profile, giving it a deep and nutty richness. Even better, it comes together quickly, which makes it just as suitable for busy weeknights as weekend entertaining.

Do you use red or white wine for Chicken Marsala? ›

Light-Bodied Red Wines

Its light and elegant nature makes it a perfect match for the rich and savory flavors of the Chicken Marsala.

What can I use instead of Marsala in chicken marsala? ›

The best substitute for marsala wine is madeira, another kind of fortified wine with a similar flavour profile. Other alternatives include other fortified wines such as commandaria, sherry, vermouth, and port.

Is chicken marsala an Italian or Indian dish? ›

Chicken marsala (Italian: pollo al marsala or scaloppine al marsala) is an Italian-American dish of chicken escalopes in a Marsala wine sauce. It is a variation of traditional Italian scaloppina dishes, of which there are many varieties throughout Italy.

What is the difference between chicken Marsala and chicken francese? ›

Chicken Francese shares the same basic preparation as Chicken Marsala, but foregoes the Marsala wine and mushrooms in favor of a white wine and lemon-butter sauce.

Do you bake chicken at 400 covered or uncovered? ›

If you're in a hurry, you'll want to know how long you bake chicken at 400°F: Follow step 1 above, then bake the chicken pieces, uncovered, in the 400°F oven 25 to 30 minutes, until no longer pink or until chicken is done (using baked chicken temperatures above).

Does covering chicken in oven cook faster? ›

The last, and easiest, way to make sure your chicken cooks faster is to cover it while it's cooking.

What is the best temperature to bake chicken? ›

Let's start out by saying 500 degrees isn't a temperature we'd recommend for chicken. Given the fact that drumsticks and thighs are dark meat and won't dry out as easily as breasts, the range from 350 to 450 degrees is okay for baking them. 350 to 375 is generally best for breasts.

Should you bake chicken on top or bottom heat? ›

Chicken is best cooked on the middle rack. The bottom or lowest oven rack is best for roasting larger cuts of meat or whole turkeys. These thick cuts of meat can be cooked at higher temperatures at the bottom of the oven.

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