Ina Garten Chicken Marsala Recipe (2024)

An exquisite, sweet-flavored chicken dish, featuring juicy chicken breasts and a wine-filled sauce — that’s what Ina Garten’s Chicken Marsala recipe is all about.

This is a traditional Italian-American dish, with hints of sweetness and an earthy flavor from the spices the chicken is coated with.

Whether you’re planning a weekday meal or a date night, Chicken Marsala will be the staple dish.

It is a truly gourmet meal you can serve with anything, from pasta to potatoes.

Ina Garten Chicken Marsala Recipe (1)

Today you’ll learn how to master the Ina Garten’s Chicken Marsala Recipe and impress your guests with complex flavors of a filling meal.

How to Make Ina Garten Chicken Marsala

Table of Contents

It might sound complex with all of the spices and wine, but in reality, Chicken Marsala is a very simple and straightforward dish.

It contains a flavorful chicken, gravy, and other delicious ingredients coming together into a restaurant-level meal in under an hour.

Let’s see what you need to cook Ina Garten’s Chicken Marsala and what ingredients make it so special.

Ingredients:

(4 servings)

  • 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut in half and flattened
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 1/2 pounds of wild mushrooms
  • 5 tbsp softened butter
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 8 garlic cloves
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1/4 cup dry sherry
  • 2 cups sweet Marsala wine
  • A few sprigs of thyme
  • Fresh parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Ina Garten Chicken Marsala Recipe (2)

Instructions:

Ina Garten’s Chicken Marsala is a perfect example of a classic dish with tender and juicy chicken seasoned in a rich and flavorful sauce.

Marsala wine is used to deglaze the pan.

Once it gets reduced, the flavors of the plum and raisins really intensify, while the fragrant and nutty sherries add more complexity to the dish.

So, in the end, Chicken Marsala is a perfectly comforting dish that is not too heavy, but it’s still unbearably rich in flavors.

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 325 °F.

Step 2:

Prepare the chicken. Pound out each chicken breast with the flat side of a meat mallet or with the end of the knife.

Add flour to a shallow bowl and season it with a good amount of salt and freshly ground pepper, and mix with the fork.

Step 3:

Sip the chicken in the seasoned flour until it’s well coated.

Alternatively, sprinkle some salt and pepper on each side of the breast and then dip them in the flour.

Step 4:

Brown the chicken. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.

Cook the chicken breasts for about 3-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown.

Set the chicken breasts aside once cooked.

Step 5:

Cook the mushrooms. Add the whole garlic cloves, sliced mushrooms, and thyme sprigs to the same pan.

Sauté over medium heat for about 5 minutes until the mushrooms are soft and the garlic is fragrant.

Step 6:

Add the sherry to deglaze and let it simmer to thicken up.

Scrape the bottom on the pan, add 3 cloves of the chopped garlic and cook until fragrant.

Add Marsala wine, chicken stock, salt, and pepper to taste.

Let the sauce simmer until it thickens and all alcohol evaporates, leaving just the delicious flavors behind.

Step 7:

Return the chicken to the pan and cover it with a lid.

Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.

Step 8:

Take the pan out of the oven and remove the chicken and thyme springs.

Add ¼ cup of flour to the butter and mix.

Then add this mixture to the marsala sauce and let it simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes.

Once it thickens return the chicken to the pan and coat with sauce.

Professional Ina Garten’s Chicken Marsala is ready!

Garnish with chopped parsley before serving!

Ingredient Substitution

Ina Garten’s Chicken Marsala is a classic dish made with chicken, mushrooms, and Marsala wine.

But even though all of them add to the exquisite flavors of the dish, you can use a few replacements.

Here’s what you could consider using as an alternative for the Chicken Marsala recipe ingredients.

Ina Garten Chicken Marsala Recipe (3)

White Grape Juice

For an alcohol-free Marsala sauce use white grape juice.

It is an excellent substitute for Marsala wine since it keeps the right flavor profile required for the recipe.

Just use 1 cup of white grape juice, 2 tablespoons of sherry vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, instead of 2 cups of Marsala wine.

Chicken Bouillon Cubes

Chicken stock is one of the base ingredients of Ina Garten’s Chicken Marsala.

However, you can still replace it with some chicken bouillon cubes if you don’t have any stock at hand.

Just dissolve a few of them in hot water and you’ll get a very similar flavor.

But keep in mind that these cubes will add extra salt, so taste the sauce before further seasoning.

What to Serve with Ina Garten Chicken Marsala

Ina Garten’s Chicken Marsala is a delightful meal all by itself.

But if you pair it with a delicious side, it will turn into a meal you’ll never forget.

Whatever you’re in the mood for, check out our best suggestions.

Mashed potatoes

When it comes to side dishes, mashed potatoes are the number one.

It is the perfect comfort food, pairing perfectly with the Ina Garten’s sweet-flavored Chicken Marsala.

Flavor potatoes with some garlic or top it off with cheese and serve with the Chicken Marsala.

It will feel like a party in your mouth.

Ina Garten Chicken Marsala Recipe (4)

Lime rice

Lime rice is a light classic that yearns for the companionship of Chicken Marsala, pairing wonderfully with the mushrooms in the sauce.

The citrusy flavor of the rice combined with the savory and juicy chicken is a combination to die for.

How to Reheat Ina Garten Chicken Marsala

Chicken Marsala is one of those meals that are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven.

However, if you’ve made too much, there are a few tricks on how to make it taste freshly cooked again.

Here are our suggestions when considering reheating Chicken Marsala.

How to Reheat Ina Garten Chicken Marsala in a Cooking Pan

Since microwaves are a big no-no if you want to keep the chicken juicy and savory, try using a cooking pan instead.

Just add a tablespoon of butter into a cooking pan and put it over medium-low heat.

Add your Chicken Marsala and cover a pan with a lid, just until it’s evenly heated.

How To Reheat Ina Garten Chicken Marsala in the Oven

Since the Chicken Marsala from Ina Garten is originally cooked in the oven, it is natural to use it to reheat the dish.

Just preheat your oven to 350 °F and heat the chicken in an oven-proof casserole or the pan it was cooked in, for about 30 minutes.

How to Store Ina Garten Chicken Marsala

You really shouldn’t leave Chicken Marsala out at room temperature for longer than 2 hours, unless you want things to grow on it.

So, you have to store it properly.

Store Ina Garten Chicken Marsala in a Fridge

To store Chicken Marsala in a fridge, just put it in an airtight container.

You can leave it for up to 3 days; more than that and the Marsala sauce starts to lose its flavors.

Store Ina Garten Chicken Marsala in a Freezer

If you want to cook Chicken Marsala beforehand and store it for a busy weekend, you can easily store it in the freezer.

Just put it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 4 months.

Ina Garten Chicken Marsala Recipe (5)

Ina Garten Chicken Marsala Recipe

Tender and juicy chicken in a wine-flavored Marsala sauce — just what you need for any weekday meal or dinner party. This Ina Garten’s Chicken Marsala recipe will save you tons of time, since we share all of the secrets to get it utterly delicious. Try it today!

4.75 from 20 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 580 kcal

Equipment

  • Flat meat mallet

  • Shallow bowl

  • frying pan

Ingredients

  • 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut in half and flattened
  • ½ cup flour
  • 1 ½ pounds wild mushrooms
  • 5 tbsp softened butter
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 8 garlic cloves
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • ¼ cup dry sherry
  • 2 cups sweet Marsala wine
  • a few sprigs of thyme
  • fresh parsley
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325 °F.

  • Prepare the chicken. Pound out each chicken breast with the flat side of a meat mallet or with the end of the knife. Add flour to a shallow bowl and season it with a good amount of salt and freshly ground pepper, and mix with the fork.

  • Sip the chicken in the seasoned flour until it’s well coated. Alternatively, sprinkle some salt and pepper on each side of the breast and then dip them in the flour.

  • Brown the chicken. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts for about 3-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Set the chicken breasts aside once cooked.

  • Cook the mushrooms. Add the whole garlic cloves, sliced mushrooms, and thyme sprigs to the same pan. Sauté over medium heat for about 5minutes until the mushrooms are soft and the garlic is fragrant.

  • Add the sherry to deglaze and let it simmer to thicken up. Scrape the bottom on the pan, add 3 cloves of the chopped garlic and cook until fragrant. Add Marsala wine, chicken stock, salt, and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens and all alcohol evaporates, leaving just the delicious flavors behind.

  • Return the chicken to the pan and cover it with a lid. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.

  • Take the pan out of the oven and remove the chicken and thyme springs. Add ¼ cup of flour to the butter and mix. Then add this mixture to the marsala sauce and let it simmer over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Once it thickens return the chicken to the pan and coat with sauce. Professional Ina Garten’s Chicken Marsala is ready! Garnish with chopped parsley before serving!

Nutrition

Calories: 580kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 27gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 114mgSodium: 473mgPotassium: 658mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 505IUVitamin C: 2.6mgCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.9mg

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Ina Garten Chicken Marsala Recipe (2024)

FAQs

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

However, when we tried both styles in recipes for chicken Marsala, mushroom stuffing, and zabaglione, tasters preferred the dry style in all instances. Though both were acceptable, tasters found that dry Marsala offered more depth of flavor, while sweet Marsala added sweetness and some flavor but wasn't as complex.

How to thicken up chicken marsala? ›

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's the difference between chicken piccata and chicken marsala? ›

While both chicken piccata and chicken Marsala are cooked in the same way, there are a few key differences between the two dishes. Chicken piccata isn't creamy. It's cooked with white wine, chicken broth, capers, and lemon juice. It's tangy and bright instead of rich and creamy.

What do you serve chicken Marsala over? ›

  1. Rice. Rice is a classic, gluten-free side dish that pairs perfectly with chicken Marsala. ...
  2. Risotto. For a classic Italian side dish, consider risotto, a creamier alternative to plain rice. ...
  3. Egg Noodles. ...
  4. Angel Hair Pasta. ...
  5. Zucchini Noodles. ...
  6. Polenta. ...
  7. Mashed Potatoes. ...
  8. Boursin Hasselback Potatoes.
Mar 17, 2023

Can I use white wine instead of Marsala wine for chicken Marsala? ›

Marsala Substitutes for every quarter cup needed: Substitute the following: ¼ cup of dry white wine. 1 teaspoon of brandy.

Is there a difference between Marsala wine and sweet Marsala wine? ›

Dry Marsala is typically used for savory entrées where it adds a nutty flavor and caramelization to beef tenderloin, mushrooms, turkey and veal. Sweet Marsala is typically used to make very sweet and viscous sauces. You'll commonly find it used in desserts such as zabaglione and main dishes with chicken or pork loin.

Should Marsala sauce be thick or thin? ›

The mushrooms should be browned (ideally in butter), and the rich Marsala wine sauce should strike just the right balance of savory, sweet, and tangy. The sauce should be thickened just enough to cling to the chicken and mushrooms. If it's too thin, it will slide off; too thick, and it becomes gummy and unappealing.

What kind of Marsala wine is best for cooking? ›

The Best for Cooking

Florio Marsala Superiore Dry will deglaze your pan beautifully, but while you're at it, take a sip. Gorelli says this bottling is a great point of entry for those new to Marsala.

Does Marsala wine go bad? ›

A well-sealed and refrigerated opened bottle of Marsala can last for 4-6 months, retaining a large extent of its original taste profile.

What is the best wine for chicken marsala? ›

The best chicken marsala wine pairing is with lighter red wine types or a full-bodied white wine. Red wine examples include Malbec and Pinot Noir, and white wines include Riesling or Chardonnay. Chicken marsala is naturally savory and creamy, so your wine selection should be based on complementary flavors.

What is a good substitute for Marsala wine? ›

What can I use instead of marsala wine? 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 eaten in Italy? ›

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 a good side dish for chicken masala? ›

Traditionally, chicken tikka masala is served with vegetables, steamed long-grained basmati or white rice, toasted pita, or any type of naan bread. Then top it with some chopped coriander, and finally serve with a few lemon wedges on the side.

Should you chill Marsala? ›

When serving Marsala, follow general wine temperature suggestions. Dry Marsala is best slightly chilled around 55-60 degrees to maintain its crisp freshness. However, sweet Marsala is better when poured at room temperature or slightly cooler.

Does the alcohol burn 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.

What kind of wine should I use for chicken marsala? ›

A lighter-bodied red wine such as a Valpolicella or Pinot Noir is ideal for this dish because it will allow the chicken and mushrooms to shine through without competing with them too much. If you're looking for something more robust in its flavor profile, try a Chianti or Rose.

What kind of Marsala wine is used for cooking? ›

The Best for Cooking

Florio Marsala Superiore Dry will deglaze your pan beautifully, but while you're at it, take a sip. Gorelli says this bottling is a great point of entry for those new to Marsala.

Is Taylor Marsala good for chicken marsala? ›

3.0Use it all the time for making chicken marsala. Also goes pretty well with homemade fudge brownies.

Is Holland House Marsala cooking wine dry or sweet? ›

Made from specially selected grapes, Holland House Marsala Cooking Wine has a dried fruit and caramel flavor and sweet aroma.

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