Instant-Pot Chicken Marsala Recipe

Introduction

Chicken Marsala is a classic Italian-American dish known for its rich, savory mushroom and Marsala wine sauce. This Instant Pot version simplifies the process, delivering tender chicken and a flavorful sauce in a fraction of the time. It’s perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.

Two cooked chicken breasts are placed on a white plate with a thin brown rim. The chicken is light golden-brown with a smooth texture, topped with a creamy white mushroom sauce that covers most of the chicken and spreads slightly onto the plate. The sauce has visible slices of light brown mushrooms with darker gill details and is sprinkled with finely chopped green herbs. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, accompanied by a silver fork with a wooden handle at the bottom right and a small white dish with dried herbs at the top right. A beige cloth is partially visible at the top left. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4 medium (or 2 large) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms (cremini or white button)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup Marsala wine (or dry sherry)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream (optional)
  • Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  2. Step 2: Set the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ and add 2 tablespoons of butter along with the olive oil. Once hot, sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side until golden, then remove the chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the pot. Stir in the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and mushrooms begin to soften.
  4. Step 4: Pour in the chicken broth and Marsala wine. Return the chicken to the pot.
  5. Step 5: Secure the lid, set the valve to ‘Sealing,’ and pressure cook on high for 8 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Quickly release the pressure and remove the chicken, covering it to keep warm. Switch the Instant Pot back to ‘Sauté.’
  7. Step 7: In a small bowl, mix the flour with about 1/3 cup liquid from the pot to form a smooth slurry, then whisk it back into the sauce. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens, about 2-5 minutes. If using, stir in the heavy cream.
  8. Step 8: Adjust seasoning as needed and serve the sauce over the chicken. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Tips & Variations

  • For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch to thicken the sauce.
  • Using dry sherry instead of Marsala wine gives a slightly different but equally delicious flavor.
  • Adding a splash of cream at the end creates a richer, silkier sauce but can be omitted for a lighter dish.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes or buttered pasta to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Storage

Store leftover Chicken Marsala in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if the sauce has thickened too much.

How to Serve

Two pieces of grilled chicken breast sit on a white speckled plate, layered with a creamy light beige mushroom sauce that contains visible slices of mushrooms. The sauce covers the top layer of the chicken and is sprinkled with small bits of green herbs. The plate is positioned on a white marbled surface, with a white bowl containing spices blurred in the background and a beige cloth napkin partially visible near the bottom edge. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?

Boneless chicken breasts are recommended for even cooking under pressure. Bone-in pieces may take longer to cook and can change the cooking time needed.

What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?

You can make this dish on the stovetop by searing the chicken, sautéing the mushrooms and garlic, then simmering in the wine and broth until cooked through. Thicken the sauce with the flour slurry as directed.

Print

Instant-Pot Chicken Marsala Recipe

This Instant-Pot Chicken Marsala recipe offers a quick and flavorful twist on a classic Italian-American dish. Tender chicken breasts are seared, then pressure-cooked with savory mushrooms in a rich Marsala wine sauce, finished with a creamy touch and fresh parsley garnish. Ideal for an easy weeknight meal bursting with deep, comforting flavors.

  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Instant Pot
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 medium (or 2 large) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Cooking Fat and Aromatics

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (divided)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Marsala Sauce

  • 1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms (cremini or white button)
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup Marsala wine (or dry sherry)
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream (optional)

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Sear chicken: Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Set the Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ mode and add 2 tablespoons of butter along with the olive oil. Once the fat is hot, sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
  2. Sauté mushrooms and garlic: Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the pot. Stir in the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, cooking for 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant and the mushrooms begin to soften.
  3. Pressure cook the chicken: Pour in the chicken broth and Marsala wine to the pot, stirring briefly to deglaze the bottom. Return the seared chicken breasts to the pot. Secure the lid and set the valve to ‘Sealing.’ Pressure cook on high for 8 minutes.
  4. Release pressure and remove chicken: Perform a quick release to vent the steam. Carefully remove the chicken breasts, then cover them to keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
  5. Thicken the sauce: Switch the Instant Pot back to ‘Sauté’ mode. In a small bowl, mix the flour with about 1/3 cup of liquid from the pot to create a smooth slurry. Whisk this mixture into the simmering sauce, stirring continuously, until it thickens, about 2-5 minutes. For an extra rich finish, stir in the optional heavy cream.
  6. Serve: Adjust seasoning to taste if needed. Serve the thickened Marsala sauce over the chicken breasts and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

Notes

  • You can substitute Marsala wine with dry sherry if preferred.
  • Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control salt levels in the dish.
  • Heavy cream is optional but adds a smooth, creamy texture to the sauce.
  • For a dairy-free version, omit butter and cream, substituting with suitable alternatives.
  • Make sure to quickly release pressure to avoid overcooking the chicken.

Keywords: Chicken Marsala, Instant Pot recipes, easy chicken dinner, Italian chicken, mushroom sauce chicken, pressure cooker meals

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