Easy Chicken Marsala Making a Classic Italian Dish with Simple Ingredients
Chicken Marsala is a versatile dish suitable for various occasions, whether it's a casual dinner, a romantic evening, or a special meal. You can serve it with pasta, rice, potatoes, or bread. You can also add your favorite vegetables to make the dish healthier and more nutritious.
In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide to making Easy Chicken Marsala. We will also give you some tips and tricks to make the dish more flavorful and save you time and money. Additionally, we will provide you with information about the origin, benefits, and variations of this dish. So, let's get started!
What is Chicken Marsala, and What is its Origin?
Chicken Marsala is an Italian dish originating from the town of Marsala in Sicily, an island in southern Italy. Marsala is the name of the type of wine produced in this region, which has a reddish-brown color and a sweet taste. This wine is the main ingredient in the sauce that coats the chicken and mushrooms in this dish.Chicken Marsala was first created in the 19th century by English cooks living in Sicily. They adapted traditional Sicilian recipes that used pork or chicken with Marsala wine. They also added mushrooms, garlic, and chicken broth to give the dish a more complex flavor and texture. The dish then spread throughout Italy and the world, becoming one of the most popular and beloved Italian dishes.
What are the Benefits of Chicken Marsala?
Chicken Marsala is not only delicious but also offers several health benefits. Here are some benefits of Chicken Marsala:- Increased protein intake: Chicken is a good source of protein, essential for building and repairing body tissues such as muscles, skin, and hair. Protein also helps you feel full longer, reducing your calorie intake.
- Increased fiber intake: Mushrooms are a good source of fiber, which aids digestion, lowers cholesterol, and prevents constipation. Fiber also helps control blood sugar and reduces the risk of diabetes.
- Increased antioxidant intake: Marsala wine contains antioxidants, compounds that protect body cells from damage caused by free radicals. Antioxidants also help prevent premature aging, inflammation, and chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's.
- Increased intake of vitamins and minerals: Chicken Marsala also contains several essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B, vitamin D, iron, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus. These vitamins and minerals help maintain the normal function of your nervous, immune, bone, and blood systems.
What You Need to Make Chicken Marsala
To make Easy Chicken Marsala, you only need a few simple and readily available ingredients. Here is a list of the ingredients you'll need:- Chicken: You can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Cut the chicken into thin, even pieces, about half an inch thick. Season with salt, pepper, and flour. This helps the chicken become crispy and absorb the sauce better.
- Mushrooms: Use any type of mushrooms you like, such as white mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, or shiitake mushrooms. Wash and slice the mushrooms thinly. Mushrooms will add a savory flavor and a chewy texture to the dish.
- Garlic: Finely chop fresh garlic or use garlic powder. Garlic will add a fragrant and spicy flavor to the sauce.
- Marsala wine: This is the key ingredient in the dish. You can use dry or sweet Marsala wine, depending on your preference. Dry Marsala wine will provide a sharper and more acidic flavor, while sweet Marsala wine will give a softer and sweeter taste. You can find Marsala wine at liquor stores or supermarkets. If you don't have Marsala wine, you can substitute it with red wine, white wine, or sherry.
- Chicken broth: You can use canned chicken broth, powder, or make your own. Chicken broth adds a deeper and richer flavor to the sauce. If you don't have chicken broth, you can substitute it with water or vegetable broth.
- Butter: Use unsalted or salted butter. Butter adds a smooth and oily taste to the sauce. If you don't have butter, you can substitute it with olive oil or vegetable oil.
- Parsley: Chop fresh parsley or use dried parsley. Parsley adds color and a fresh flavor to the dish. If you don't have parsley, you can substitute it with basil, oregano, or thyme.
How to Make Chicken Marsala
Once you have all the ingredients you need, you can start making Easy Chicken Marsala. Here are the steps to follow:
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned and floured chicken. Cook for about 4 minutes per side or until browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.
- In the same skillet, add garlic and mushrooms. Cook for about 10 minutes, or until the mushrooms are soft and browned, stirring occasionally. Pour in the Marsala wine and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens and reduces by half.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the chicken is coated with the sauce.
- Sprinkle parsley over the dish and serve with pasta, rice, potatoes, or bread. Enjoy your delicious and warm Easy Chicken Marsala!
Tips and Tricks to Make Chicken Marsala More Flavorful and Save Time and Money
Here are some tips and tricks you can use to make Easy Chicken Marsala more flavorful and save time and money:- Use quality chicken: To get the best flavor and texture, use fresh, clean, and odor-free chicken. If using frozen chicken, make sure to thaw it safely, either in the refrigerator or under cold running water. Avoid using expired, grayish, or slimy chicken.
- Use fresh mushrooms: Fresh mushrooms will provide better flavor and texture than canned or dried mushrooms. If using canned mushrooms, make sure to rinse and drain them first to eliminate the can taste. If using dried mushrooms, soak them in warm water to rehydrate them.
- Use authentic Marsala wine: Authentic Marsala wine will give a more authentic and distinctive flavor than substitute wines. If you can't find authentic Marsala wine, look for wines with a similar taste and color, such as red wine, white wine, or sherry. Avoid using cooking wine, as it usually contains salt and preservatives that can compromise the taste of your dish.
- Don't overcook the chicken: If you cook the chicken for too long, it can become dry, tough, and chewy. Fry the chicken only until browned and cooked, not burnt or crispy. If the chicken is still raw inside, you can cook it longer with the sauce at the end.
- Don't reduce the sauce too much: If you reduce the sauce toomuch, it may become too thick, sticky, and salty. Reduce the sauce only until it thickens and reduces by half, but not until it becomes dry or overly thick like jam. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little water or chicken broth to thin it out. If the sauce is too thin, you can add a bit of flour or cornstarch dissolved in water to thicken it.
- Chicken Marsala with Cream: For a creamier and smoother sauce, add a bit of heavy cream or milk to the sauce after reducing it. This will give your dish a milder and creamier taste. You can also sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese for a richer and saltier flavor.
- Chicken Marsala with Bacon: If you want to add a smokier and savory taste, incorporate bacon into your dish. Cut bacon into small pieces and fry until crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside. Use the remaining bacon fat to sauté the chicken and mushrooms. Sprinkle the fried bacon on top of the dish before serving.
- Chicken Marsala with Vegetables: To make your dish healthier and more nutritious, add your favorite vegetables. Carrots, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, or spinach are great options. Cut the vegetables into small pieces and boil or steam until tender. Add the vegetables to the sauce after reducing it. Mix well and cook until the vegetables are coated with the sauce.
That concludes our article on Easy Chicken Marsala. We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. We also hope you'll try this recipe at home and enjoy the dish with your family and friends. If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, please feel free to write them below. Thank you for reading this article, and happy cooking!
