Instant Pot Chicken Marsala is a restaurant-worthy meal made with tender chicken in a rich marsala sauce, that comes together in less than 30 minutes!
Per several reader requests, I have adapted two of your favorite chicken recipes, Chicken Marsala and Marry Me Chicken, to be Instant Pot Friendly.
This recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Marsala, just like my recipe for Instant Pot Marry Me Chicken, delivers tender chicken coated in a rich sauce.
People are always impressed with this Instant Pot Chicken Marsala Recipe, but it is seriously incredibly easy to make. You can just keep that our little secret and wow your friends with this impressive chicken recipe!
Reasons to Love Instant Pot Chicken Marsala
- Amazing Flavor. Instant Pot Chicken Marsala is a knock-out dish with incredible flavor, thanks to the rich mushroom gravy spiked with dry marsala wine.
- Super Easy Recipe. This recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Marsala comes together with minimal hands-on prep and is on the table in just about 30 minutes.
- Gluten-Free. The rich mushroom marsala sauce is thickened with cornstarch, rather than flour, making this favorite dish gluten-free.
Notes on Key Ingredients
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs both work for this recipe.
- Mushrooms: Sliced baby portobello mushrooms (often referred to as Bella mushrooms) or shitake mushrooms are best for this recipe. I do not recommend button mushrooms as they aren't as robust and flavorful as shitake or portobello mushrooms.
- Marsala Wine: Be sure to use a good quality dry Marsala Wine, not cooking Masala wine for the best flavor.
- Beef Stock: I use beef broth or stock to add an extra earthy flavor to the Chicken Marsala sauce, but you can use chicken stock if you'd like.
- Butter: Finishing the sauce with a bit of butter adds a rich finish, but is completely unnecessary.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, minced garlic, and dried thyme leaves will enhance the flavor of Instant Pot Chicken Maralsa.
- Cornstarch + Water: To thicken the gravy after pressure cooking, use a mixture of cornstarch and water or tapioca starch and water.
How to Make Instant Pot Chicken Marsala
While this is an incredibly simple recipe, if you are unfamiliar with cooking in an Instant Pot or the functions of your Instant Pot, be sure to start with How to Use an Instant Pot for the best results on this and future recipes. You will find the full recipe in detail in the recipe card below.
Step One: Sear Chicken. To add flavor and texture to this dish, I recommend searing the chicken before pressure cooking.
- Turn the instant pot to saute by hitting the Saute function, and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the inner pan of the pressure cooker and let the oil heat.
- While the oil is heating, season the chicken generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Add the seasoned chicken to the inner pot in a single layer and saute until just golden on each side, about 2-3 minutes per side. Keep in mind you may need to work in batches, as you don't want to overcrowd your pot when searing.
- Once seared, remove the chicken and place it on a plate.
Step Two: Prepare Marsala Sauce. Once the chicken is seared, it is time to make the sauce for the Chicken Marsala by sauteeing the mushrooms and deglazing the inner pot with the wine.
- While the saute function is still on, add in the mushrooms, garlic, and thyme and saute for 1-2 minutes or until the garlic is JUST slightly toasted.
- Add in the Marsala wine and deglaze the pan, by scraping up any browned bits of chicken off the bottom of the pan.
- Once the wine has reduced by half, turn the instant pot OFF.
- Return the seared chicken to the Instant Pot and pour in the beef stock.
Step Three: Pressure Cook. This recipe uses the same perfected cooking times from my recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Breast. Pay attention to the size of your chicken breast or thigh to ensure perfect results.
- Place the lid on the pressure cooker, and be sure the vent knob is sealed and the lid is locked into place.
- To set the cooking time:
- Small Chicken Breasts (~6 ounces): 6 minutes on high pressure
- Average Chicken Breasts (~8 ounces): 7 minutes on high pressure
- Large Chicken Breasts (~10 ounces): 8 minutes on high pressure.
- Once cooking time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes to ensure your chicken cooks through and stays super tender.
Step Four: Thicken Sauce. To give the Marsala Sauce its rich glossy finish, it is best to thicken the sauce after pressure cooking.
- Remove the lid from the pressure cooker once the pressure has been released and place the cooked chicken on a clean plate.
- Hit cancel to turn off the keep warm function and then hit saute to bring the cooking liquid to a simmer. While the cooking liquid is coming to a boil, prepare a cornstarch slurry by whisking together the cornstarch with water. Whisk well to get out all lumps.
- Whisk in a cornstarch slurry to the inner pot and constantly stir, until the sauce is bubbly and thickened--about 3-4 minutes.
- If desired, add butter and/or heavy cream to finish the sauce with a rich, creaminess.
- Pour the marsala sauce over the chicken and serve.
Serving Suggestions
I recommend serving Instant Pot Chicken Marsala with a side of mashed potatoes or mashed red potatoes to soak up all the delicious mushroom gravy. Round out your meal with a side of Instant Pot Steamed Green Beans or Green Beans Almondine and a Caesar Salad for a simple, yet impressive restaurant-quality homemade dinner.
More Instant Pot Chicken Recipes
- Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken
- Instant Pot Orange Chicken
- Instant Pot Lemon Chicken
- Instant Pot Roast Chicken
- Instant Pot Chicken Chili
- Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore
If you tried this recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Marsala, I would appreciate it if you left a review and comment below.
Instant Pot Chicken Marsala
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil more if needed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves not ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ cup Dry Marsala Wine
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium beef broth or chicken or mushroom broth
- 8 ounces sliced baby Bella mushrooms or shitake mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon butter optional
- ½ cup heavy cream optional
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot to saute, add in 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and let heat.
- While the oil is heating, season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on each side. Add the seasoned chicken to the inner pot in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and sear the chicken until golden on each side. This will take about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove the browned chicken breasts from the inner pot and place them on a plate.
- If the inner pot is dry, add 1-2 teaspoons of additional olive oil to the inner pot. Add in mushrooms and dried thyme and saute for 2-3 minutes to let the mushrooms soften. Add in the garlic and saute briefly (30-60 seconds), just to let the garlic toast.
- Add in the Marsala wine and deglaze the pan, by scraping up any browned bits of chicken off the bottom of the pan. Turn the heat OFF on the Instant Pot.
- Return the seared chicken, along with any accumulated juices back to the inner pot and then pour in the beef stock.
- Place the lid on the pressure cooker, turn the valve to sealed, and set the cooking time using the pressure cook or manual button, to high pressure for 6 minutes for thin chicken breasts, 7 minutes for average size chicken breasts, and 8 minutes for larger chicken breasts. Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes (this helps to keep the chicken from getting tough).
- Once pressure has been released, remove the lid and then remove the cooked chicken from the inner pot, place it on a clean plate or serving platter, and tent it with foil.
- Hit cancel on the pressure cooker to turn off the keep warm function and then hit saute to bring the cooking liquid to a boil.
- While the marsala sauce is coming to a bubble, combine the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water in a small bowl and whisk really well to fully dissolve the cornstarch. Add the cornstarch slurry to the inner pot, whisking constantly until the sauce has thickened--about 3-4 minutes. If desired, whisk in the butter and heavy cream and let heat through. Turn off the saute function.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken and serve immediately.
Equipment Needed
Notes
Nutrition
This post was originally published in 2018 but was updated with a video and new pictures and tips in 202o.
M Shanta
I am a little slow in rating this recipe but want you to know how much I appreciate your recipes. Not only have I found your recipes quick, simple and healthy but very tasty.
We try to eat heart healthy meals but were getting tired of a diet of grilled chicken and fish so this recipe seemed like something I to wanted to try. We decided to be daring and, with just two of us, try this recipe for our Thanksgiving meal. Thankfully, most of your recipes are made from ingredients I usually have on hand, but for this one, I did not have any Marsala wine and, because of the COVID virus, was unwilling to make a special trip inside a liquor store to purchase some. Instead, I used a Cabernet.
Although my husband was skeptical to try something so “different”, this was delicious and definitely will be made again. Thanks for helping us get out of our routine with such an easy and healthy dish.
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you are enjoying my recipes and that you enjoyed this Chicken Marsala--or Chicken Cabernet 😉 I love that swap! Good thinking.
lynn riddle
Made this last night & it was delicious. Will definitely be part of the rotation!!
Kristen Chidsey
So glad you enjoyed so much Lynn!
Margaret
Another winner! Simple and easy. Flavor is spot on! Thank you for the instant pot version for the perfect weeknight meal!
Gina
Love this Instant Pot spin on the classic recipe - tastes equally delicious and makes dinner a breeze!
Kristen Chidsey
So glad you loved how fast and tasty this chicken is Gina! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review 🙂
Noelle
This was the perfect meal for an instant pot! Yum, thanks for the great recipe!
Kristen Chidsey
So glad you all enjoyed Noelle!
Rita
When do you add the butter? Before or after you thicken with the cornstarch?
Kristen Chidsey
I add after I thicken with cornstarch.
Susan Fuller
Hi Kristen! Hope you all are well!
Excited to try this. Dumb question since its in the title but can I sub anything if i don't have wine? Can I do more beef broth in its place or is that a bad idea. I know the wine is probably a big part of the flavor but not something I usually have....and not during quarantine : )
Just thought I'd ask.
Thanks, Susan
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Susan! You can certainly make this without Marsala (and for those that are reading this that DO have alcohol, Sherry is a good substitute), I would use beef stock. It won't be as a rich, but should be still delicious!
Susan Fuller
It was yummy with the beef broth sub for wine and everyone thought it was great....even the one who thinks he doesn't like mushrooms....and isn't even a sauce fan....and he ate lots! And I didn't even get those yummy mushrooms chopped up to hide them. Thanks for the help!
Kristen Chidsey
YAY! I love hearing how much everyone enjoyed--mushrooms included.
Susan Fuller
I had some of the yummy sauce left. Do you think it would freeze ok to use later as a sauce or add it to a soup, etc? (It has the yummy mushrooms in it, & no wine. )
Kristen Chidsey
Absolutely! I love adding it to beef stew, vegetable soup, or even rice. So yummy!
Jayanti
If you double the recipe do you need to increase the time?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jayanti! The cook time will remain the same, but it will take a bit longer to come to pressure! I hope you enjoy!
Tiffany
Hi! I just purchased an IP Mini. Would this recipe fit into my pot? Or do I need to half it?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Tiffany! This should fit perfectly in the mini. Always be sure to not fill more than 2/3rd of the way full. You may want to check out my Instant Pot Tips before you get started 🙂
TIFFANY LIN
Thank Kristen. I have gone over your tips several times. Unfortunately I seemed to have blown the fuse after Step 9 and my IP no longer turns on. Is there anyway to salvage the chicken marsala? I am a novice cook and would prefer not to throw away the whole lot. Thanks.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Tiffany--oh how frustrating! I am so sorry! I would place in a skillet on the stove and simmer over medium heat until the chicken is cooked thorough. Then remove chicken from sauce and whisk in cornstarch mixture and cook until sauce has thickened. Serve over chicken. I hope that helps!
TIFFANY LIN
Thanks again. It really helped and I am quite happy how it turned out.
Kristen Chidsey
Yay! So glad it helped out!
Jennie
Would love to make this! Can you double the recipe or will it be too crowded in a 6qt instant pot?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jennie--You will have to brown chicken in batches, but it will fit perfectly in the 6 quart when doubled. Enjoy!
GAIL AUSTIN
How much fresh mushrooms do you use.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Gail! I would use 8 ounces of fresh mushrooms. I hope you enjoy!
GAIL AUSTIN
This was a fantastic hit with my family! My 15yr old said I could cook this every day.
Kristen Chidsey
Oh I love hearing that Gail! So glad you and your family enjoyed.
Jerei Bargabus
This was delish! Didn't have shallots so used 1/2 sweet onion and chicken broth w fresh mushrooms. Only thing not suggested by you was added a pat of butter as I always do with chicken masala.. definitely going to use again. One thing, recipe doesn'tsay to saute onion, my new to cooking son wouldn't know to do that. Nicely done, looking forward to trying other of your recipes!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed Jerei! I did note in recipe notes to add butter if desired for richer sauce--I agree it finishes the dish well. I hope you enjoy many more recipes here 🙂
Bells
Tried to watch the video but Ads literally interrupted every 5 second. I don't mind an ad here or there, I get it. . But literally ...every. Five. Seconds.
Kristen Chidsey
I will contact my ad company about that. Sorry!! That should not be playing ads that often.
Laura
Absolutely delicious! The kids and I devoured it
Kristen Chidsey
YAY!!! I love hearing this! Thank you for taking the time to let us know how your family enjoyed!
Quan
This recipe was delicious and simple to make. I did use 2.5 lbs of chicken so changed the proportions and added more beef broth to make more sauce. I used shitake dried mushrooms which absorbed the sauce beautifully. Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed 😍
Tiffany
I could never get my sauce to thicken with the cornstarch. I have a feeling I should have reduced the amount of beef stock I added because I didn’t use dried mushrooms (I imagine they absorb a bit of the extra liquid). I will use maybe 1/4-1/2 cup of stock next time. Something to consider if you also use fresh mushrooms 🤷🏻♀️
Kristen Chidsey
Ah yes Tiffany, that would account for it for sure--those fresh mushrooms do let off a lot of moisture. I will update my notes to warn people of that. In the future, 1/2 cup would probably be a good starting point. If you struggle to thicken again, take out a few tablespoons of the liquid and whisk in 1 tablespoon cornstarch, then whisk that mixture back into your instant pot and let cook until thickened.