Chicken Madeira: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe for 5-Star Dining Recipe

Introduction

Chicken Madeira is a savory and elegant dish that brings restaurant-quality flavors right to your kitchen. With tender chicken breasts, rich Madeira wine sauce, and earthy mushrooms, this recipe is perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a special meal.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms (cremini or button)
• 1 cup Madeira wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
3. Step 3: Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms. Cook until lightly browned, about 4 minutes.
5. Step 5: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
6. Step 6: Carefully add the Madeira wine to the skillet. Allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes, reducing the volume by half.
7. Step 7: Add the chicken broth and season with thyme. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
8. Step 8: Slowly stir in the heavy cream, then return the chicken breasts to the skillet.
9. Step 9: Let everything simmer together for about 10 minutes, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked and the sauce thickens.
10. Step 10: Garnish with fresh parsley before transferring to a serving dish.

Tips & Variations

• Use cremini mushrooms for a deeper flavor, or button mushrooms for a milder taste.
• Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but the texture will be less creamy.
• Serve over mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice to soak up the delicious sauce.
• Fresh thyme adds the best flavor, but dried thyme works well if fresh isn’t available.

Storage

Store leftover Chicken Madeira in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat to prevent the cream sauce from separating. You can also reheat in the microwave in short intervals, stirring in between.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of wine if I don’t have Madeira?

You can substitute Marsala wine or dry sherry as alternatives, though they will slightly change the flavor profile. Avoid red wine, as it will alter the sauce’s color and taste.

How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the juices run clear. Simmering the chicken in the sauce for 10 minutes should thoroughly cook the breasts if they are of standard thickness.

Chicken Madeira: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe for 5-Star Dining Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 90 reviews

Chicken Madeira is a classic Italian-American dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a rich, creamy sauce made with Madeira wine, mushrooms, and fresh herbs. This recipe delivers a sophisticated, restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly easy to prepare at home, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a special dinner.

• Author: Lisa
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Seasoning

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce and Vegetables

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms (cremini or button)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup Madeira wine
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Prep Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor before cooking.
2. Heat Oil: In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat to prepare for browning the chicken.
3. Brown Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust. Once browned, remove them from the skillet and set aside.
4. Sauté Mushrooms: In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they are lightly browned, about 4 minutes, to bring out their earthy flavor.
5. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until the garlic becomes fragrant, enriching the dish’s aroma.
6. Pour in Wine: Carefully pour the Madeira wine into the skillet, allowing it to simmer and reduce by half over approximately 5 minutes. This concentrates the wine’s fruity, nutty flavors.
7. Incorporate Chicken Broth: Add the chicken broth and sprinkle in the thyme. Let the mixture simmer for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors together.
8. Add Cream: Slowly stir in the heavy cream, then return the browned chicken breasts to the skillet.
9. Simmer Until Done: Allow everything to simmer gently for about 10 minutes. This cooks the chicken through and thickens the sauce to a luscious consistency.
10. Serve: Garnish the finished dish with fresh parsley and transfer to a serving dish, ready to be enjoyed.

Notes

• Use cremini mushrooms for a richer flavor or button mushrooms for a milder taste.
• Ensure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption.
• Madeira wine can be substituted with dry Marsala wine if unavailable.
• This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables.
• For a lighter option, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce may be less rich.

Keywords: Chicken Madeira, chicken recipe, Madeira wine sauce, creamy chicken, mushroom sauce, Italian-American dishes