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 mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Servings 4
Calories 354 kcal
- 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
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.