This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This single serving Chicken Marsala recipe features tender slices of chicken simmered in a rich mushroom and Marsala wine sauce. It’s low in carbs, full of flavor, and ready in under 30 minutes using just one pan.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy One-Pan Meal: Everything cooks in a single pan, making cleanup simple.
- Low Carb and Keto-Friendly: Made without flour or thickeners, this version is lower in carbs while still delivering classic Marsala flavor.
- Rich and Flavorful: Tender chicken in a well-seasoned sauce that’s delicious on its own or served over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes.
- Easily Doubles: Makes one generous portion, but you can double the ingredients to serve two.
What I love most about this single serving chicken Marsala is how something so simple can taste so elegant. It’s made with just a handful of ingredients, but every bite is filled with rich flavor from the Marsala wine and tender mushrooms. The sauce has a subtle sweetness that balances beautifully with the savory chicken and garlic, and it all comes together in one pan in under 30 minutes.
This is one of those recipes I turn to when I want something comforting but still feel like I’m treating myself. It’s warm, flavorful, and feels like a restaurant-quality dish made right at home.
Serve chicken Marsala with a single serving of mashed potatoes, potato gnocchi for one, baked white rice, or a small loaf of french bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serve chicken Marsala recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Marsala Wine: A fortified wine from Sicily that adds depth and richness to the sauce. I prefer using dry Marsala for savory dishes like this one. Sweet Marsala is best for desserts like single serving tiramisu. Buy Marsala from a wine shop and avoid the grocery store versions, which are often lower quality.
- Chicken: Use 1 (4 to 5-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh. No need to pound it thin, just slice into 1/4-inch pieces. Use any extra chicken in chicken divan for one, Tuscan chicken for one, or single serving chicken piccata.
- Mushrooms: Sliced cremini or baby bella mushrooms work well. Leftovers are great in a crustless spinach and mushroom quiche, mushroom casserole for one or single serving risotto.
- Chicken Broth: I use low-sodium broth to better control salt levels. Adjust seasoning based on the broth you use. Broth is also used in our single serving soup recipes like chicken tortellini soup for one and potato soup for one.
- Heavy Cream: Use heavy cream or heavy whipping cream, both work the same. Try leftover cream in fettuccine Alfredo for one, a small broccoli casserole, or a mini german chocolate cake.
See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How To Make Chicken Marsala
These photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this single serving Chicken Marsala recipe. See the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Slice the chicken breast into 1/4-inch thick pieces.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper in a small bowl.
- In a 10-inch skillet, heat the oil and 1/2 tablespoon of the butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until fully cooked. Transfer to a plate and cover.
- Melt the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of butter in the skillet. Add the mushrooms, onions, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes, until the mushrooms soften and begin to brown. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the broth, Marsala wine, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces by half, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in the cream and simmer for 1 minute.
- Return the chicken to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and heat until warmed through.
- Transfer to a plate or bowl and serve hot.
Expert Tips
- Read the full recipe first: Go through the entire post, including the Ingredient Notes, and gather your ingredients. This dish comes together quickly, so it’s best to be prepared.
- Slice the chicken thin: Cut the chicken into 1/4-inch pieces so it cooks evenly and quickly.
- Want a thicker sauce? Lightly dredge the chicken in 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour before cooking, similar to our single serving Tuscan chicken recipe. This helps thicken the sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, simply double the ingredient amounts to make two servings.
Yes, either sweet or dry Marsala will work since this recipe uses a small amount. Dry is traditionally used for savory dishes, but sweet Marsala will still give great flavor.
If you don’t have Marsala wine, you can try dry sherry or a dry white wine, but the flavor won’t be exactly the same.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this easy chicken Marsala recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Chicken Marsala For One
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 (4 to 5 ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast -sliced into ¼-inch pieces
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt -divided
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons salted butter -divided
- ¼ cup sliced mushrooms (1 oz)
- ¼ cup chopped onions (1 oz)
- 1 clove garlic -minced
- ½ cup low sodium chicken broth
- ¼ cup dry Marsala wine
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
Instructions
- Place the chicken strips in a small bowl and season with ⅛ teaspoon of salt and black pepper.
- In a 10-inch skillet, heat the oil and 1/2 tablespoon of the butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until fully cooked. Transfer to a plate and cover.
- Melt the remaining 1/2 tablespoon of butter in the skillet. Add the mushrooms, onions, and 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes, until the mushrooms soften and begin to brown. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the broth, Marsala wine, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces by half, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Stir in the cream and simmer for 1 minute.
- Return the chicken to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and heat until warmed through.
- Transfer to a plate or bowl and serve hot.
Notes
- Read the full recipe first: Go through the entire post, including the Ingredient Notes, and gather your ingredients. This dish comes together quickly, so it’s best to be prepared.
- Slice the chicken thin: Cut the chicken into 1/4-inch pieces so it cooks evenly and quickly.
- Want a thicker sauce? Lightly dredge the chicken in 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour before cooking, similar to our single serving Tuscan chicken recipe. This helps thicken the sauce.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Can white wine be substituted for the Marsala wine?
Hate to have to buy a bottle when I only use such a little.
Let me know please. Love your recipes for one person!
Marsala wine is what gives the dish its signature flavor, so using a substitute will change the profile. Sherry (drinking sherry, not cooking sherry) or chicken broth can be used as substitutes for Marsala wine. If you use chicken broth, be sure to let it boil down to reduce and concentrate the flavor. Keep in mind that the flavor won’t be the same as with Marsala wine. I hope this helps, and I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipes!
Terrific recipe.
Thank you!
Can I leave out the cream & just use flour as a thickener?
This recipe has been tested with the ingredients that are listed in the recipe. It has not been tested without cream and using flour as a thickener. You can use flour instead of cream but you’ll have to play around with the ingredient amounts.