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Pollo al Marsala (Chicken Marsala)

By Paula |

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This Chicken Marsala recipe, aka Pollo al Marsala, is a traditional Italian-American dish comprised of golden pan-fried chicken cutlets and mushrooms in a rich Marsala wine sauce. Topped with crispy prosciutto and fresh parsley, this is decadence at its finest! Pair with homemade polenta or risotto to complete the meal.

homemade chicken marsala recipe in cast iron skillet and brown wooden background

Homemade Chicken Marsala

“Pollo al Marsala” is simply translated to Chicken Marsala. If you’ve not had this dish, you’re missing out! You might have ordered Chicken Marsala when dining out, but if you haven’t attempted it at home, then you’ll be thrilled to know that it’s so easy to make. So much so, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t done it sooner!

A few things to remember when making this Chicken Marsala recipe:

  • Don’t overcrowd the pan.
  • Cook the chicken in batches, if necessary.
  • Please, please, please resist the urge to flip the chicken numerous times. (You don’t want to rip apart that beautiful golden flour coating!)

My favorite part of this dish is the sauce. I’m drooling just thinking about it. It’s rich, robust, and pretty darn sexy. The Marsala is def the star but the mushrooms & prosciutto don’t fall by the waist side. You have just the right amount of salt & crisp from the Prosciutto and the Mushrooms, well you know I could talk about mushrooms for days. There is just something about a ‘shroom!

You’ll want something to go with to get every last drop of that sauce. I like a risotto or polenta!

homemade chicken marsala recipe in cast iron skillet and brown wooden background

What Is Marsala?

Marsala is a dessert wine and is produced in the region surrounding the Italian city of — where else — Marsala in Sicily. This liquid libation is meant to sipped at room temperature or used in dishes like this classic Italian comfort food, Chicken Marsala.

Key Ingredients

  • Chicken Cutlets — I use 3-4 large chicken breasts and slice them in half and tenderize, if needed.
  • All-Purpose Flour — To dredge the cutlets in for the breading.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Or another light-tasting oil with a high smoke point for frying, like avocado oil.
  • Shallots — You can also use one small onion. Either way, mince them finely.
  • Prosciutto — Roughly torn. Could also substitute bacon or pancetta cubes.
  • Marsala Wine — This deglazes the skillet and adds a ton of sweet, slightly bitter flavor to the sauce.
  • Chicken Stock — Along with the wine, this is the foundation of the Chicken Marsala sauce.
  • Fresh Mushrooms — Like baby bellas or button mushrooms, sliced thin.
  • Unsalted Butter — To make the sauce even more luscious!
  • Salt and Freshly Cracked Black Pepper — To taste.
  • Flat Leaf Italian Parsley — Roughly chopped for garnish.

How To Make Chicken Marsala

  1. Prepare the Chicken — Pound the chicken cutlets flat, and season heavily with salt and pepper. Then. dredge in the flour and set on a wire rack. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the prepared cutlets and pan fry for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy. Transfer chicken from pan onto a plate, and keep warm (but don’t cover with foil.)
  2. Prepare the Marsala Sauce — In the same skillet over medium heat, cook the prosciutto until just crispy and add the shallots, mushrooms, and butter to make a roux. Cook for 5 minutes, or until the shallots are translucent. Add the Marsala wine, stir, and bring to a boil. Add chicken stock and remaining butter, then simmer until it reduces slightly.
  3. Assemble the Chicken Marsala and Serve — Return chicken to pan to heat through. Garnish with chopped Italian Parsley, serve hot, and enjoy!

What To Serve with Chicken Marsala

homemade chicken marsala recipe in cast iron skillet and brown wooden background

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating Instructions

  • Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freeze cooled leftovers in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
  • Reheat thawed or chilled leftovers in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat or in a microwave for 2-4 minutes until warmed through.

More Recipes To Try

If you enjoyed this homemade Chicken Marsala recipe, then you’ll love these other decadent — yet simple — meals:

Chicken Marsala

This Chicken Marsala recipe (aka Pollo al Marsala) is comprised of pan-fried chicken cutlets and mushrooms in a rich Marsala wine sauce.

This Chicken Marsala recipe (aka Pollo al Marsala) is comprised of pan-fried chicken cutlets and mushrooms in a rich Marsala wine sauce.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 - 4 large chicken breasts - cut in half (into cutlets)
  • Flour - enough to dredge chicken
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 small shallots - julienne OR 1/2 small onion - minced
  • 3 slices of Prosciutto - roughly torn
  • 1 cup MARSALA wine
  • 1/2 cup Chicken Stock
  • 2 cups fresh mushrooms - sliced
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter - divided
  • flat leaf Italian Parsley for garnish - roughly chopped
  • salt/pepper

Instructions

  1. Place a piece of saran wrap on top of chicken and pound flat. Season with salt/pepper. Dredge in flour.
  2. In a large skillet, pour olive oil and heat over medium high heat. When oil is hot add floured chicken cutlets.
  3. Depending on the thickness of chicken, cook about 4-5 minutes per side until chicken is golden brown. Do not crowd your pan. Cook in batches if necessary.
  4. Transfer chicken from pan onto a plate. Keep warm.
  5. Reduce heat to medium. In skillet, add prosciutto into pan with drippings and stir. Cook for approximately one minute.
  6. Add shallots (or onions), mushrooms and 1 tablespoon of butter. Stir and cook for approximately 5 minutes, until shallots are translucent.
  7. Add wine, stir and bring to a boil. Add chicken stock and remaining butter. Simmer until it reduces slightly, about 2 minutes.
  8. Return chicken to pan to heat through.Flour from chicken will help to thicken the sauce further.
  9. Garnish with chopped Italian Parsley.

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© Paula Jones
Cuisine: Italian / Category: Chicken

Comments

  1. The Midnight Baker says

    Well Paula,

    You have done it AGAIN! This looks spectacular and I think I will try it this weekend!

    M.

  2. Courtney says

    Paula,
    this is really impressive. I can’t wait to make the chicken marsala. Its one of my favorite dishes. Always order it at restaurants but never made it at home. I will let you know how mine turns out.
    Court 🙂

  4. ellie says

    This looks delicious! My aunt used to make this all the time for me but have never cooked it myself- thanks for the recipe 🙂

    • Paula says

      Hi Ellie! Thanks so much. I love this dish. The sauce is amazing. It’s perfect with risotto or even garlic mashed potatoes! Let me know what you think when you make it!

  5. megan says

    I love Chicken Marsala. I’ve only recently descovered it but have made it numerous times. In fact, I have pictures on my camara for a post! 🙂

  7. Aricka says

    This is one of my families favorites!! I make extra gravy. My family just cant get enough of it!!
    Great Pictures!!! Amazing!!!

  10. Veronica says

    YUMMY! SOOO good! I am so excited to be able to cook something so tasty for my family. Thank you for sharing, Paula!

  11. Courtenay says

    Simply delicious! I had this for the first time 2 days ago and find myself dreaming of it still. Easy to make and simply fabulous…thanks for sharing the recipe Paula!

  12. lisa bailey says

    I’ve ordered this dish often in restaurants because I love all the ingredients. I’ve so often been served a chicken dish that is fairly tasteless. This combo of ingredients is perfect. The chicken is so lightly floured that the flavor of the wine sinks in and is rich and smooth! Love this and will make it over and over. I’m through ordering it out!

  13. Jackie from Boston says

    Made this last night for dinner for myself and a friend
    It came out PERFECTLY
    And was surprisingly easy!
    mmm thank you for the awesome recipe
    I definitely recommend it – it looks and tastes so impressive!

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