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Better Chicken Marsala

In our recipe for chicken Marsala, we take a new approach to fabricating and cooking chicken cutlets. First, we cut each chicken breast in half crosswise. Then, we cut the thicker half in half horizontally to make three identically sized pieces that can easily be pounded into cutlets. We salt the cutlets briefly to boost their ability to retain moisture and then dredge them in a light coating of flour, which accelerates browning and helps prevent the meat from overcooking. We sear the cutlets quickly on both sides and set them aside while making the sauce.
Our Marsala sauce uses reduced dry Marsala and chicken broth, along with cremini and dried porcini mushrooms for rich flavor and gelatin for a silky texture. Once the Marsala and mushroom sauce is complete, we return the cutlets to the pan to cook them through and wash any excess starch into the sauce, eliminating gumminess.
Servings: 4
Author: America's Test Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 2 ¼ cups dry Marsala divided (2 cups + ¼ cup)
  • 4 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
  • 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms rinsed
  • 4 6- to 8-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts trimmed
  • kosher salt
  • black pepper
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil plus 1 teaspoon
  • 3 ounces pancetta cut into ½-inch pieces
  • 1 pound cremini mushrooms trimmed and sliced thin
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter cut into 6 pieces
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley

Instructions

Make the Marsala reduction:

  • Bring 2 cups Marsala, gelatin, and porcini mushrooms to boil in medium saucepan over high heat.
  • Reduce heat to medium-high and vigorously simmer until reduced by half, 6 to 8 minutes.

Prepare the cutlets:

  • Meanwhile, cut each chicken breast in half crosswise, then cut each thick half in half again horizontally, creating 3 cutlets of about same thickness.
  • Place cutlets between sheets of plastic wrap and pound gently to even 1/2-inch thickness.
  • Place cutlets in bowl and toss with 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
  • Set aside for 15 minutes.

Concentrate the reduction:

  • Strain Marsala reduction through fine-mesh strainer, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible; discard solids.
  • Return Marsala reduction to saucepan, add broth, and return to boil over high heat.
  • Lower heat to medium-high and simmer until reduced to 1 1/2 cups, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside.

Brown the cutlets:

  • Spread flour in shallow dish. Working with 1 cutlet at a time, dredge cutlets in flour, shaking gently to remove excess. Place on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until smoking.
  • Place 6 cutlets in skillet and lower heat to medium. Cook until golden brown on 1 side, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Flip and cook until golden brown on second side, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Return cutlets to wire rack.
  • Repeat with 2 tablespoons oil and remaining 6 cutlets.

Cook the pancetta and mushrooms:

  • Return now-empty skillet to medium-low heat and add pancetta. Cook, stirring occasionally, scraping pan bottom to loosen browned bits, until pancetta is brown and crisp, about 4 minutes.
  • Add cremini mushrooms and increase heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring occasionally and scraping pan bottom, until liquid released by mushrooms evaporates and mushrooms begin to brown, about 8 minutes.
  • Using slotted spoon, transfer cremini mushrooms and pancetta to bowl.

Make the sauce:

  • Add remaining 1 teaspoon oil and shallot to pan and cook until softened, 1 minute.
  • Add tomato paste and garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds.
  • Add reduced Marsala mixture, remaining 1/4 cup Marsala, lemon juice, and oregano and bring to a simmer.

Finish and serve:

  • Add cutlets to sauce and simmer for 3 minutes, flipping halfway through simmering.
  • Transfer cutlets to platter.
  • Off heat, whisk in butter.
  • Stir in parsley and cremini mushroom mixture.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Spoon sauce over chicken and serve.

Notes

  • It is worth spending a little extra for a moderately priced dry Marsala ($10 to $12 per bottle).
  • Serve the chicken with potatoes, white rice, or buttered pasta.