Chicken Madeira: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe for 5-Star Dining Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- Prep Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor before cooking.
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat to prepare for browning the chicken.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until the garlic becomes fragrant, enriching the dish’s aroma.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Cream: Slowly stir in the heavy cream, then return the browned chicken breasts to the skillet.
- 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.
- 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
