This gluten-free chicken marsala is one of my husband's and kids' favorite dinners. Besides chicken fried steak, if it's on the menu when we go out to eat, he's getting it. Do not think its fancy name means that it's hard to make because, trust me, this Italian restaurant classic is easy to make at home in no time at all. Plus, you're skipping the higher price tag of eating out. This gluten-free chicken marsala will quickly become a favorite in your house too.
What is chicken marsala?
Chicken Marsala is a pan-seared chicken breast topped with a rich and creamy mushroom sauce.
Why this classic will become a family favorite!
- It's easy to make.
- Uses simple ingredients.
- Ready in minutes and not hours.
- This is not your boring weeknight chicken dinner.
- Bonus, it's fancy enough for making for guests without you being in the kitchen all night.
Shopping List
- Chicken breasts
- Mushrooms
- Onion
- Olive Oil
- Butter
- Chicken Stock
- Marsala Wine
- Garlic
- Thyme
- Salt and Pepper
Notes on Ingredients
I tend to use baby portabella mushrooms, but you can use whatever kind of mushrooms you prefer.
Traditionally this uses a dry marsala wine. If you don't want to use it or don't have it, that is okay. Just sub in equal parts more chicken stock. It's not something I tend to keep on hand, and I make it without it all the time. It will still be delicious.
You can use one following if you want to use the alcohol but don't have Marsala wine.
Dry Madeira wine
Sherry (Dark)
Port
Red Vermouth
Substitute the butter for a bit more olive oil to keep this chicken marsala dairy-free.
If you find your wine has a strong flavor that is too strong for your preference, add a half cup of heavy cream or half and half. It will help calm down the strong flavor and add a bit more creaminess to the sauce.
Let's make dinner!
- Prep the ingredients.
- Dredge the chicken.
- Sear the chicken.
- Cook the vegetables.
- Make the sauce.
- Simmer the chicken and thicken the sauce.
How to Serve
Chicken marsala is delicious served in a variety of ways. You can pair it with mashed potatoes, rice, and even over some gluten-free pasta of choice. You can even pair it with some spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles if you prefer.
More quick dinners to love
- Crispy Cheddar Chicken
- Louisiana Red Beans and Cauliflower Rice
- Homemade Alfredo
- Pretzel Crusted Chicken
- Gluten-free Butter Chicken Curry
📖 Recipe
Gluten-free Chicken Marsala
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2-4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- ½ Cup Arrowroot Starch
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- ½ Teaspoon Salt
- ¼ Teaspoon Pepper
- ¼ Teaspoon Thyme
For the Sauce
- 2 Cups Mushrooms sliced
- 1 Small Yellow Onion Diced
- 3 Cloves Garlic Minced
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 1 Tablespoon Arrowroot Starch
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Pepper
- ½ Teaspoon Thyme
- 1 ½ Cups Chicken Stock
- 1 ½ Cups Dry Marsala Wine or more chicken stock
Instructions
Prep the Ingredients
- Thinly slice the chicken breasts, so they are even. If you prefer, you can also use a meat mallet and lightly pound them, so they are thinner.2-4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- Slice the mushrooms, dice the onion and mince the garlic and set them aside.2 Cups Mushrooms, 1 Small Yellow Onion, 3 Cloves Garlic
Dredge the Chicken
- Combine the arrowroot starch and half the spices and mix. Dredge the chicken into the flour mixture and set aside.½ Cup Arrowroot Starch, ¼ Teaspoon Pepper, ¼ Teaspoon Thyme, ½ Teaspoon Salt
Sear the Chicken
- In a skillet over medium heat, warm half the butter and the olive oil. Sear the chicken in the skillet, turning once for about 5-6 minutes. The chicken will not be fully cooked through at this point.2-4 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil, 1 Tablespoon Butter
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set them aside to make the mushroom sauce.
Make the Sauce
- Add the remaining butter and the sliced mushrooms are in the same skillet that the chicken was in. Let the mushrooms cook until they start to brown.2 Cups Mushrooms, 1 Tablespoon Butter
- Add the onions and continue to cook until the onions have started to brown.1 Small Yellow Onion
- Add the garlic and cook another 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant.3 Cloves Garlic
- Dust the remaining arrowroot starch over the vegetables and cook until the flour is no longer dry.1 Tablespoon Arrowroot Starch
- Pour in the chicken stock, wine and spices.1 Teaspoon Salt, ½ Teaspoon Pepper, ½ Teaspoon Thyme, 1 ½ Cups Chicken Stock, 1 ½ Cups Dry Marsala Wine
Simmer the Chicken and Sauce
- Place the chicken back in the sauce and let it simmer for about five to ten minutes for the chicken to finish cooking and the sauce to thicken.
- Serve as desired and enjoy.
Notes
Dry Madeira wine
Sherry (Dark)
Port
Red Vermouth
R.c. says
made as listed (except no arrow root) used corn starch. too much marsala wine should have probably used half that amount.
Debra says
Oh that mushroom sauce was divine!
Sara Vaughn says
So glad you loved it!
Amy Liu Dong says
All ingredients are available in my kitchen, and this is a perfect dish for tonight's dinner. Yum!
Sara Vaughn says
Yes, it's such a good weeknight dinner.
Michelle | Taste As You Go says
This chicken was so delicious! The whole family loved it!
Sara Vaughn says
Family dinners everyone loves are the best. So glad they liked it.
Emily says
Surprised at how easy this recipe is to make. Chicken Marsala really does sound fancier than it is!
Sara Vaughn says
So simple but so fancy, perfect to make for so many occasions.
Alexandra says
Such a delicious meal!
Sara Vaughn says
I am so glad you liked it.
Amanda Scarlati says
This chicken was so tasty, thanks!
Tyanne says
One of my favorites!
Sara Vaughn says
It's one of our favorites too!
Sara Vaughn says
It's not a boring chicken dinner. So glad you enjoyed it.
Andrea White says
so delicious and i love that it's gluten free too! so good!
Sara Vaughn says
Yes, making just a few tweaks helps keep it gluten-free and delicious.