Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Why it’s great for your cooking channel: Chicken Marsala is an elegant yet approachable dish that showcases essential cooking techniques like sautéing, deglazing, and making a pan sauce. Its impressive flavor profile and beautiful presentation make it an engaging recipe for viewers to try at home.
Description: Chicken Marsala is a delightful Italian-American dish that features tender chicken breasts cooked with earthy mushrooms and a rich, savory Marsala wine sauce. It’s a perfect blend of flavors and textures, making it a favorite for both special occasions and everyday meals.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Serving size: Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup Marsala wine
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional for a creamier sauce)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions:
Prepare the Chicken:
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Dredge each chicken breast in flour, shaking off any excess.
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Sauté the Mushrooms:
- In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add the sliced mushrooms and cook until browned and tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
Deglaze and Make the Sauce:
- Pour the Marsala wine into the skillet to deglaze, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Add the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Let it simmer for about 10 minutes, reducing and thickening slightly.
- (Optional) Stir in the heavy cream for a creamier texture.
Finish the Dish:
- Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning some sauce over them.
- Let the chicken cook in the sauce for an additional 5 minutes, ensuring it’s heated through and fully cooked.
- Add the butter and stir until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
- Serve hot with pasta, mashed potatoes, or a side of your choice.
Final Thoughts: Chicken Marsala is a classic dish that combines tender chicken with a luxurious sauce rich in flavors from the Marsala wine and mushrooms. Its simplicity and sophistication make it an excellent recipe to share, inspiring viewers to bring a touch of Italian flair to their home cooking.
