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Chicken Marsala served with peas and rice

Barefoot Contessa Chicken Marsala

Barefoot Contessa's Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian-American easy to make dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a skillet and smothered in a flavorful sauce made with Marsala wine and mushrooms. It's a simple yet delicious recipe.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Servings 4
Calories 354 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour not cake flour
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano not ½ tablespoon
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • ½ cup Marsala wine
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ¼ cup heavy cream optional for a creamy version
  • 2 cloves garlic minced (added for more flavor)
  • ½ small onion finely chopped (added for depth)
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

Prepare the Chicken:

  • Place chicken breasts on a cutting board and cover them with plastic wrap.
  • Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken until it's about ¼ inch thick. Set aside.

Coat and Cook the Chicken:

  • In a shallow dish, mix flour, salt, pepper, and oregano. (Removed rosemary and thyme since they aren't traditional in Chicken Marsala.)
  • Heat ¼ cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
  • Sear the chicken in the hot pan for 4–5 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Make the Marsala Sauce:

  • In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon olive oil (if needed).
  • Add garlic and onions; sauté for 1–2 minutes until translucent.
  • Add sliced mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Pour in Marsala wine and let it cook for 1 minute to reduce slightly and remove alcohol.
  • Add chicken broth, then simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Stir in heavy cream (optional, for a richer sauce).

Finish and Serve:

  • Return the chicken to the pan, spooning the sauce over it.
  • Add 4 tablespoons butter, stirring gently until melted. Let everything simmer for 3–5 minutes to meld flavors.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley.