Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms (Printable Version)
Tender chicken breasts cooked with mushrooms in a rich and savory Marsala-style sauce, perfect for a simple dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - ½ teaspoon salt
03 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
04 - ½ cup all-purpose flour for dredging
→ For Cooking
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter or additional olive oil for dairy-free
→ Vegetables
07 - 8 ounces cremini or white mushrooms, sliced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
→ Sauce
10 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
11 - ½ cup unsweetened grape juice, red or white
12 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
13 - 1 teaspoon soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
14 - 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water for thickening
15 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish
# How to Make It:
01 - Pound chicken breasts between plastic wrap to even ½-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
02 - Lightly coat seasoned chicken in flour, shaking off excess flour.
03 - Heat olive oil and butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove to plate, cover with foil.
04 - Add mushrooms to same skillet, sauté 4–5 minutes until browned. Add shallot and garlic, cook 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
05 - Pour in chicken broth, grape juice, balsamic vinegar, and soy sauce. Bring to simmer, scraping browned bits from pan bottom.
06 - Stir in cornstarch mixture if desired. Simmer 2–3 minutes until sauce coats spoon.
07 - Return chicken to skillet, simmer 2–3 minutes while spooning sauce over meat. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
# Expert Insights:
01 -
- The grape juice and balsamic combination creates this incredibly deep, almost wine-like flavor that nobody believes is alcohol-free
- One-pan cooking means less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner with family
02 -
- The sauce will continue thickening as it cools slightly, so don't overdo the cornstarch
- Don't crowd the pan when searing chicken, or it will steam instead of develop that golden crust
03 -
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking, but never leave it out longer than 30 minutes
- Invest in a good meat thermometer—165°F is your target for perfectly safe, juicy chicken