When you hear someone utter chicken marsala, you can easily be forgiven for thinking of a delicious Indian chicken masala curry, but actually, there is another dish that although sounds similar when spoken out loud, is nuanced in spelling and takes you to two wonderful corners of the globe to create a fusion of flavours so simple, yet delightful. 

This dish isn’t talked of enough making it one of the most underappreciated dishes of our time. Having said that, learn how to make this simple meal and you will forever impress your friends and family with your culinary skills. 

The dish is organic chicken Marsala. Of course, we have provided you with our very own recipe, so you can whip this treat up in no time for good vibes. 

The main ingredients give this dish its exquisite flavour - organic chicken and non-alcoholic marsala wine. Let’s take a look at the history of this underrated menu indulgence, so you can take your dinner guests on a culinary tour. 

The backstory 

The precise origins of organic chicken marsala are unconfirmed, however, it blends various cultural flavours, ingredients and cooking styles. It is believed to be an American-Sicilian dish that became popular in the United States of America in the mid-20th century. 

Organic chicken marsala combines Italian marsala wine with classical French and modern American cooking styles to provide a perfect blend of rich flavours. 

Marsala wine 

Marsala is a fortified wine produced in the region of Marsala in Sicily, Italy. It's made from a blend of white grape varieties, including grillo, catarratto, and inzolia. 

What makes Marsala unique is its fortification process, where neutral grape spirits are added to the wine, increasing its alcohol content and preserving it for longer periods. This process also contributes to Marsala's distinctive flavour profile. 

Cooking with wine adds rich flavours and textures, and the alcohol evaporates leaving only the sweetness you enjoy. There are alcohol-free varieties to experiment with, so Islamic followers can enjoy this dish without breaking their religious commitments. 

Alternatives to wine 

Good alternatives to wine include grape juice, both red and white, cranberry juice, apple cider vinegar, and balsamic vinegar combined with figs, prunes or plums. Red and white grape juice works very well and you can add sherry vinegar and vanilla extract for savoury meals. 

For extra richness try mixing the grape or cranberry juice with balsamic vinegar combined with either figs, prunes, or plums. This combination, quite surprisingly, can easily be passed off as Marsala wine.  

You can make this component yourself for extra scoring points. You will need to simmer the fruits over low heat until they are cooked down, then strain them through a fine sieve. Add some balsamic vinegar to the fruit juice before adding it as a substitute for Marsala wine to your savoury dish like organic chicken marsala. 

A detailed recipe is provided below. 

Organic chicken 

The quality of your meals will always come down to the quality of your ingredients and organic chicken is a step above the mass-produced options. The chicken’s natural organic diet and freedom to roam ensures that its muscles develop to maturity and are packed with nutrients that fortify your body. 

They are free from chemicals, hormones and anti-biotics, ensuring that your meals are always healthy and nutritious. 

Halal Origins also supplies free-range chickens, which provide great value for money for those who have budget constraints. The chickens are free to roam, so their muscles develop well and they are less prone to sickness compared to caged chickens. 

The quality of your meals and health depend on your consumer decisions. We choose to supply high-quality meat that fits our ethical, health, and religious standards. This the the cornerstone of Halal Origin’s mission. 


Chicken Marsala recipe 

Try this awesome recipe at home. You can choose between non-alcoholic wine or our homemade Marsala alternative if you really want to impress your dinner guests. 

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless organic chicken breasts or free-range chicken breasts, pounded thin 

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 

1/4 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon black pepper 

2 tablespoons olive oil 

/2 cup Marsala wine, non-alcoholic wine, grape or cranberry juice 

1 cup chicken broth 

1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced 

2 cloves garlic, minced 

1/4 cup butter 

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 

Salt and pepper to taste 

Instructions

  1. Prepare the organic or free-range chicken by dredging the chicken breasts in flour seasoned with salt and pepper.
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the organic or free-range chicken until golden brown on both sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
  1. In the same skillet, add the mushrooms and garlic. Sauté until the mushrooms are tender and the garlic is fragrant.
  1. Pour the Marsala wine or alternative into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.
  1. Stir in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
  1. Add the cooked chicken back to the pan and simmer until the sauce thickens.
  1. Stir in the butter and parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

The homemade marsala sauce recipe 

Here's a recipe for a non-alcoholic Marsala wine substitute that uses dried fruits to mimic the rich, complex flavour profile. This homemade Marsala wine substitute can be used in any recipe that calls for Marsala wine. Simply substitute an equal amount of the mixture for the wine.

Ingredients

1 cup dried figs, pitted 

1/2 cup dried prunes, pitted 

1/2 cup dried plums 

1 cup water 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 

Pinch of nutmeg 

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the dried fruits, water, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  1. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the fruit is softened and the liquid has thickened.
  1. Use an immersion blender or a regular blender to puree the mixture until smooth.
  1. Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any solids.

Once your dish is ready, serve the chicken Marsala immediately over pasta, rice, or vegetables.


Final Thoughts

This delicious dish is guaranteed to make your tastebuds melt with indulgence. Your family, friends and dinner guests will forever be impressed by your culinary skills and knowledge, as you guide them through a historic tour of marsala chicken’s Italian-American heritage.  

Halal Origins prides itself upon delivering the highest quality organic chicken and free-range chicken products, and our love for recipes is a testament to our love of good food and good vibes that bring people together  

We hope you enjoy this lovely organic chicken marsala dish. Until next time, happy dining.