Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian dish made by sautéing chicken cutlets and then simmering them in a sauce made with Marsala wine, mushrooms, and herbs. The rich, flavorful Marsala wine sauce is really what makes this dish stand out. But what exactly goes into an authentic Chicken Marsala sauce?
In this article, we’ll break down the key ingredients that go into a traditional Chicken Marsala sauce recipe. We’ll also explain how to make the sauce step-by-step, provide some tips for getting the best flavor, and offer some variations on the classic preparation. Read on to learn all about how to make delicious Chicken Marsala right at home!
Traditional Chicken Marsala Sauce Ingredients
Chicken Marsala sauce is made up of just a handful of ingredients, but each one is important for building the complex, irresistible flavor. Here are the key components:
Dry Marsala Wine
This fortified wine from Sicily is the namesake ingredient in Chicken Marsala. Dry Marsala has an aromatic, nutty flavor from oxidation that gives the sauce wonderful depth. You’ll need about 1/2 cup to 1 cup for a batch of sauce.
Fresh Mushrooms
Sliced mushrooms add meatiness and another layer of rich umami flavor to the sauce. About 8 ounces of cremini or white button mushrooms are standard, but you can also use portobello caps or a mix of mushroom varieties.
Chicken Broth or Stock
About 1 to 1 1/2 cups of chicken broth or stock provides moisture and chicken essence to the Marsala sauce. Use homemade stock for the best flavor if you have it on hand.
Onion
A minced yellow or white onion gives the sauce aromatic background notes. You’ll need about 1/2 cup finely diced onion.
Garlic
For garlicky flavor, 2 to 3 minced cloves are ideal. Let the garlic gently cook in the sauce rather than browning it.
Fresh Parsley
Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley gives brightness and freshness. Use 2 to 3 tablespoons stirred in right at the end.
Butter
A couple tablespoons of butter finish the sauce and give it a smooth, glossy texture. Always use high quality unsalted butter.
Olive Oil
You’ll need a drizzle of olive oil for sautéing the aromatics. Extra virgin olive oil is the best choice.
Seasonings
Salt, black pepper, thyme, oregano, and bay leaves are often used to season Chicken Marsala sauce. Get the seasonings balanced just right.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Now that you know what ingredients to use, let’s go over the process of actually making an amazing Chicken Marsala sauce:
Sauté the mushrooms
Heat 1 Tbs olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until they release their juices and get browned. Season with salt and pepper.
Sauté the aromatics
Reduce heat to medium. Add another drizzle of olive oil if needed and the minced onion. Cook for 2 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
Deglaze with Marsala
Pour in the Marsala wine, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let the wine come to a simmer and reduce for 2-3 minutes.
Add broth and seasonings
Pour in the chicken broth and add any desired seasonings like thyme and oregano. Let the sauce simmer for 8-10 minutes until slightly reduced.
Finish with butter and parsley
Remove pan from heat. Stir in the butter until melted and smooth. Stir in the chopped parsley. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Simmer the chicken
Add the cooked chicken cutlets to the pan and gently simmer for 2-3 minutes to heat through and coat in the sauce. Serve over pasta or with side dishes. Enjoy!
Tips for Best Flavor
Follow these tips for getting the tastiest Chicken Marsala sauce every time:
– Use high quality dry Marsala wine – the better the wine, the better the sauce.
– Cook the mushrooms thoroughly until nicely browned.
– Don’t rush reducing the Marsala – simmer it gently to develop complexity.
– Use homemade chicken stock for incredible flavor in the sauce.
– Finish with lots of fresh parsley and high quality butter.
– Season properly with salt and pepper to enhance flavors.
– Don’t boil the sauce or overcook the chicken, maintain a gentle simmer.
Variations
While the traditional recipe is great, there are some fun ways to put your own spin on Chicken Marsala sauce:
Add Cream
For an extra lush and luxurious sauce texture, stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream or half and half along with the broth. Just don’t boil the sauce after adding cream or it may curdle.
Use Different Mushrooms
Get creative with exotic mushroom varieties! Oyster, shiitake, maitake and king trumpet mushrooms would all be delicious.
Flavor with Herbs
In addition to parsley, add other fresh herbs like basil, thyme, oregano or tarragon. Sage would also pair wonderfully.
Splash of White Wine
For a twist, deglaze the pan with a bit of dry white wine before adding the Marsala wine. Sauvignon blanc or Pinot Grigio work well.
Add a Spice Kick
If you like heat, stir in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes with the aromatics. Or add a dash of hot sauce at the end.
Meaty Extras
Sauté diced ham, pancetta or prosciutto along with the mushrooms for extra savory flavor.
Chicken Marsala Ingredients Comparison Table
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Dry Marsala wine | 1/2 to 1 cup |
| Mushrooms | 8 ounces, sliced |
| Chicken broth | 1 to 1 1/2 cups |
| Onion | 1/2 cup diced |
| Garlic | 2 to 3 cloves, minced |
| Parsley | 2 to 3 Tbsp chopped |
| Butter | 2 Tbsp |
| Olive oil | 1 to 2 Tbsp |
| Seasonings | Salt, pepper, thyme, oregano, bay leaves |
The Perfect Accompaniment to Chicken
A rich, flavorful homemade Chicken Marsala sauce takes this classic Italian dish to new heights. Savor the nutty sweetness of the Marsala wine blending with the earthy mushrooms, aroma of garlic and herbs, and savory chicken broth.
Simmering the chicken right in the sauce infuses it with juicy, complex flavor in every bite. When you follow the traditional recipe but also experiment with your own tweaks, you can create a Chicken Marsala that suits your taste perfectly. This elegant yet easy sauce is the ultimate accompaniment to chicken.
Conclusion
Chicken Marsala is all about the easy-to-make yet impressive Marsala wine sauce. By using high quality ingredients like dry Marsala, fresh mushrooms, homemade broth, and finishing with parsley and butter, you can make a deeply delicious sauce to blanket chicken cutlets.
Sautéing mushrooms, deglazing with Marsala, then gently simmering the sauce develops complexity. Follow the steps for the basic recipe, then customize with your own variations like cream, different herbs, spices, or meat additions. The options are endless for putting your personal spin on Chicken Marsala.
Mastering this classic Italian sauce is a great skill for any home cook. Impress guests at dinner parties by serving up restaurant-worthy Chicken Marsala. But the true reward is getting to savor forkful after forkful of tender chicken napped in rich, wine-infused sauce. Bellisimo!