Chicken Marsala

October 9, 2014

Readers, I am happy to report that Operation Cooking-For-Friend is going well so far. It’s really not that much harder to cook a little extra food a few nights a week, and my husband is enjoying the variety, I think. We didn’t eat fajitas or chicken salad once last week! Hey, it’s the small victories…

One of the dinners I made last week was Chicken Marsala (with mashed potatoes and lemony green beans). I don’t know why I don’t make Chicken Marsala more often–it’s simple, fast and quite delicious, especially if you serve it over rice or mashed potatoes to soak up the sauce.  It seems impressive, too–the picture I took (on a cloudy day–argh!) doesn’t do it justice. There’s just something chic about a dish with a wine sauce–people will think you spent a lot more time making dinner than you actually did, so I encourage you to give it a try. Plus, it’s relatively healthy, if you don’t load your mashed potatoes with cream and butter.

I just want to veer off topic for a while to thank all of you for your encouraging and kind words last week. I am thrilled to report that Miss M.’s birthday was a swimming success. She was in a state of heightened excitement all week long–that girl knows how to get mileage out of a birthday.

This school year is going so much smoother for her than last year–no hiding in the bathroom at lunchtime or pleas to stay home from school– hooray! She still asks me to join her for lunch at school once a week, but I’m happy to do that because I know the time’s coming when she won’t want me to anymore (like maybe when she’s, ahem, a middle schooler).

Another happy bit of business: while it took her the whole year last year to make one friend, M. has already made five friends in her 3rd grade class, so we hosted six kids on Sunday (her bestie from last year, Ivan, of course was invited).

I cheated and ordered an ice cream cake, and it was probably a wise decision, judging from the quality of my do-it-yourself birthday banner on the front door:

 

Crafty, I ain’t. Luckily, the birthday girl thought it looked just fine. She’s got a forgiving spirit.

It was a loud, messy and action-packed party and I was very glad when the last kid got picked up, so I could collapse on the couch in a heap. Methinks I’m getting to old to throw kiddie parties. Still, it was worth every tired bone in my body to see my girl smile and laugh with her friends.

I am glad, however, that I have two months until I need to worry about D.’s birthday party–the big 13. Gaaa, that should be an affair.

Maybe I should just stick with planning dinner.P1050485

 

 

Chicken Marsala

serves 4

 

4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

flour, for dredging

2 tablespoons butter

1 shallot, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 cup cremini mushrooms. quartered

1/2 cup marsala wine

1/2 cup chicken broth

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

chopped fresh parsley, for serving

 

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge the chicken breasts in flour, shaking off excess.

In a large heavy saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken in butter, about 3 minutes per side. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.

Add the shallot and the garlic to the pan and saute for 2 minutes. Add the mushrooms, broth, marsala wine and lemon juice. Bring the sauce to a boil and turn down heat to a simmer. Simmer the sauce for about ten minutes or until reduced to about 2/3 of a cup. Add chicken back to pan; cover and cook for 5 minutes or until chicken is done.

You can either serve the breasts whole or slice them on a bias; spoon the mushrooms and sauce over chicken.

Garnish with chopped fresh parsley.

{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }

C. Troubadour October 9, 2014 at 12:11 pm

Yum — I do so little pan cooking these days since we do most of our meat on the grill for the sake of big batches. (We make pretty much all the protein we consume since my husband can’t eat much in the way of carbs and has to replace the calories with affordable meat. Cold cuts are $$$.) If I’m starting with already grilled boneless skinless, would I just toss the breasts into the sauce at the end until warmed? Or is leftover chicken not a desirable alternative here?

Yay for Miss M.’s birthday success and great start to the school year :)

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Biz October 9, 2014 at 1:37 pm

Once I found marsala wine on the vinegar aisle, I love making this dish – it’s one of my hubs favorites too – thanks for the reminder!

And hooray for 5 friends, but I love that Ivan was included :D

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Tinne from Tantrums and Tomatoes October 9, 2014 at 11:13 pm

I’m so glad to hear Miss M is having a better time at school and that the birthday party went well.
Miss D turns 13 in two months… wow. Courage…

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Lisa @ The Meaning of Me October 10, 2014 at 6:21 am

So glad to hear Miss M. is doing well this year. Hooray for a good party! In general, I think kid parties are pretty heinous affairs because there is just so much drama. Glad hers went well for everyone.
My Hub loves chicken Marsala. I have no idea why I don’t make it for him. Lord knows we make everything else around here! Perhaps I’ll surprise him with that next week.

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Virginia October 10, 2014 at 12:31 pm

We love Chicken Marsala! Yet, we too often forget about it. I’ll add it to the menu next week and make everyone’s day.

I’m such an advocate for simple kid parties. I just don’t have the desire or energy to put on a big affair. I did once, however, rent a bounce house for my eldest’s 10th birthday and she just thought that was the coolest thing ever. She turns 12 next month and I don’t think simple is a part of her birthday game plan this year. Sigh.

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Alison October 11, 2014 at 1:12 am

So glad the birthday do went well!
YUM, I wish you’d cook for me. This dish sounds right up my alley.

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Velva October 12, 2014 at 11:53 am

The chicken marsala looks great. I do love that dish. Why don’t I make it more often (sigh). Looks like you are doing an excellent job of surviving the new phases in your childrens lives.

Always,
Velva

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Sherri October 13, 2014 at 6:55 am

Making it! Love Chicken Marsala – needed easy recipe.

Re: kid parties. Just did one for my 10 year old – facing another for my 6 year old…. Ah – the season of exhausting kid b-day parties.

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elizabeth October 13, 2014 at 7:36 am

I’m so thrilled that Miss M. has found her people and that she had a great birthday!

I’m also glad that the cooking project you took on has been providing some benefits, especially in the name of mixing things up. (To be honest we could use a similar change of pace as we definitely are guilty of relying on the same meals during the week.)

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Tiffany October 22, 2014 at 3:28 pm

I’m so glad everything was great for her birthday!

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