Do you love Olive Garden’s creamy chicken marsala? Today, we’ll show you how to make it at home. You’ll learn to cook chicken breasts in marsala sauce with mushrooms. This dish will make your home meals as tasty as Olive Garden’s.
Key Takeaways
- Recreate the signature Olive Garden chicken marsala at home
- Savor the tender chicken in a rich, creamy marsala sauce
- Enjoy the umami flavors of sautéed mushrooms in the dish
- Follow a simple, step-by-step guide to master this copycat recipe
- Elevate your home-cooked meals with this Olive Garden-inspired dish
Olive Garden Chicken Marsala: A Delicious Copycat
Olive Garden’s chicken marsala is a fan favorite, known for its pan-seared chicken breasts and creamy marsala wine sauce. This recipe lets us make tender chicken and a rich sauce just like Olive Garden does. We can savor the classic taste of Olive Garden at home by following these simple steps.
Tender Chicken in a Rich Marsala Sauce
This dish’s heart lies in perfectly cooked chicken and a lush marsala sauce. Start by lightly flouring and pan-frying 1 1/2 pounds of chicken breasts until they’re golden. Then, they’re mixed with a sauce of marsala wine, mushrooms, Worcestershire, and Dijon. You end up with juicy chicken in a savory, slightly sweet sauce that’s a treat.
Recreating the Iconic Italian Restaurant Dish
This copycat lets us enjoy Olive Garden’s famous chicken marsala at home. Making it takes less than 30 minutes, giving us a great meal fast without the high restaurant prices. Plus, you can save any leftovers for another 3-4 days, perfect for quick dinners or meal prep.
“This copycat recipe allows us to enjoy the iconic flavors of Olive Garden’s chicken marsala in the comfort of our own home.”
Ingredients for the Perfect Chicken Marsala Recipe
To make the famous Olive Garden chicken marsala at home, gather some key items first. You’ll need plump chicken breasts, all-purpose flour, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Next, for the flavorful sauce, gather butter, white mushrooms, onion, garlic, dry marsala wine, chicken stock, and heavy cream. Don’t forget fresh thyme to top it off with a wonderful smell.
Ingredient List
- Chicken Breasts: 4 boneless, skinless
- All-Purpose Flour: 1/2 cup
- Kosher Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Black Pepper: 1/2 teaspoon
- Butter: 4 tablespoons
- White Mushrooms: 8 ounces, sliced
- Onion: 1 small, diced
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Dry Marsala Wine: 1/2 cup
- Chicken Stock: 1/2 cup
- Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup
- Thyme: 2 tablespoons, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Chicken Marsala
Prepping the Chicken
- Pound the Chicken: Use a meat mallet to make the chicken breasts 1/4-inch thick for even cooking.
- Flour the Chicken: Dip the chicken in seasoned flour, covering both sides lightly.
Creating the Delectable Marsala Sauce
- Pan-Fry the Chicken: Heat a large skillet on medium-high and add olive oil. When the oil is hot, place the floured chicken in. Brown it on both sides, about 2-3 minutes each. Remove the chicken from the skillet.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same skillet, cook mushrooms, onions, and garlic until soft and aromatic, around 5 minutes.
- Deglaze with Marsala Wine: Add marsala wine to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for a few minutes to cook off the alcohol.
- Create the Sauce: Add chicken stock and heavy cream to the skillet, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, letting it simmer in the sauce for 5-7 minutes.
By following these steps, you can make Olive Garden’s famous chicken marsala at home. Enjoy it with pasta or roasted potatoes for an Italian treat.
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Marsala
Want to make your chicken marsala stand out? We have some great tips. The tender chicken and rich marsala sauce go great with different sides, creating a complete and delicious meal.
Complement with Pasta or Potatoes
The classic choice with chicken marsala is pasta. Its smooth sauce is perfect over fettuccine, linguine, or pappardelle. The pasta absorbs the sauce’s flavors, harmonizing every bite. You could also try it over creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice for a filling, cozy meal. The options are many, but they all let the key players—the chicken and sauce—shine bright.
Side Dish Pairing Notes
- Fettuccine, Linguine, or Pappardelle: The pasta lets the marsala sauce coat it, melding textures and flavors perfectly.
- Mashed Potatoes: Soft, creamy mashed potatoes complement the hearty chicken and sauce.
- White Rice: Fluffy white rice serves as a blank canvas, highlighting the chicken marsala.
Whichever side you pick, the chicken marsala will shine. Its luscious, flavorful sauce and tender meat make a stunning duo. They bring the whole dish together in fantastic unity.
Tips for Mastering this Copycat Recipe
Mastering Olive Garden’s chicken marsala at home is simpler than you imagine. Follow these tips for the best results:
- Pound the Chicken: Ensure even cooking by pounding the chicken flat.
- Shake Off Excess Flour: After covering the chicken in flour, shake it to remove extra bits for a creamy, not lumpy, sauce.
- Serve Over Pasta or Potatoes: Pairing with pasta or mashed potatoes enhances the dish’s flavors.
Remember these tips to make a yummy copycat Olive Garden chicken marsala. By learning a few tricks, you can make your home feel like the best Italian eateries.
Variations on the Classic Dish
Love Olive Garden’s chicken marsala? You can make it your own. Try a few changes to add more flavor just for you.
Adding Garlic or Cream for Extra Flavor
Add some minced garlic to the mushroom and onion mix for a savory boost. Mixing in cream near the end creates a velvety sauce that’s perfect with the chicken.
“Adding a little extra something, like garlic or cream, can really take this dish to the next level. It’s all about finding the variations that suit your personal preferences.”
Feel free to mix things up. A few changes can make your chicken marsala unique. It’s all yours with just a little creativity.
The Origins of Chicken Marsala
Chicken marsala comes from Italy, specifically the Sicilian city of Marsala. This dish is famous for using Marsala wine in its sauce. The mix of tender chicken and Marsala sauce has won people over, becoming a favorite.
Italian food has had a big impact in America. Dishes like chicken marsala grew in fame, with places like Olive Garden making them well-known. Today, it’s often found on Italian-style menus for its rich taste.
Dry Marsala wine adds a unique sweet touch to the sauce. Along with mushrooms, garlic, and sometimes cream or butter, it makes the perfect sauce for the cooked chicken. This makes the dish stand out as something special, loved by fans of Italian food.
Making it a Complete Olive Garden Experience
Enjoy the full Olive Garden experience by making their famous dishes at home. Try pairing your chicken marsala with recipes like fried mozzarella sticks or the house salad. You can also enjoy it with homemade fettuccine or other popular pastas.
Pairing with Other Copycat Olive Garden Recipes
Create a menu that brings Olive Garden’s flavors to your table. Consider these pairings:
- Copycat Olive Garden Fried Mozzarella Sticks: Crispy outside and gooey inside, a great start for your Italian feast.
- Copycat Olive Garden House Salad: Enjoy this classic salad with Italian dressing alongside your main course.
- Copycat Olive Garden Fettuccine Alfredo: Top it with your chicken marsala for a luxurious pasta dish.
- Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks: Make their famous breadsticks to complement your meal.
With these dishes, your at-home dining will feel just like Olive Garden. Experience the taste of Italy without going out!
Taking My Chicken Marsala To Go
We’ve shared a copycat Olive Garden chicken marsala recipe that lets us bring the famous dish to our tables. With simple steps and the correct ingredients, we can relish the juicy chicken and flavorful mushrooms in the marsala sauce. This recipe lets us create a meal that tastes like it came straight from Olive Garden.
To get the real Olive Garden flavor, we need to pick the right ingredients carefully. This includes chicken cutlets, button mushrooms, and seasonings like salt and pepper. Cooking methods like making the chicken thin and breading it in flour help us match the dish’s unique taste and texture.
Making Olive Garden dishes at home saves us time and money. This simple recipe means we can enjoy a delicious, Italian meal at home. We get to love the marsala sauce and soft chicken just like Olive Garden makes it. It turns our dining table into a spot that feels like an Olive Garden restaurant.
The Best Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Marsala Recipe You Ever Did See!
Olive Garden Chicken Marsala
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Meat pounder
- Airtight container (for storage)
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Marsala Sauce:
- 8 ounces white or cremini mushrooms thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 cups Marsala wine
- 1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Optional: 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Pound the chicken breasts to about 1/2 inch thick.
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, and pepper.
- Dredge the chicken breasts in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add chicken breasts and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Cook the Mushrooms:
- In the same skillet, add olive oil and mushrooms. Sauté until mushrooms are soft and golden, about 3 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
Make the Marsala Sauce:
- Pour Marsala wine and broth into the skillet with mushrooms and garlic. Cook on low until the wine reduces by half.
- Stir in Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and butter. Cook until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
Combine and Serve:
- Return the chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the sauce and mushrooms over the top.
- Simmer until the chicken is heated through and coated in sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Notes
- For an even richer flavor, use high-quality dry Marsala wine.
- Ensure the chicken breasts are evenly pounded to ensure even cooking.
- Let the Marsala sauce reduce slowly for the best flavor concentration.