The Most Flavorful Chicken Madeira Recipe You’ll Ever Try

Hearty chicken madeira brings a touch of elegance to your weeknight dinner menu.

Restaurants often charge premium prices for such delectable dishes.

Wolfgang puck’s signature style inspired many home cooks to recreate this classic.

Tender chicken breasts bathe in a rich, mushroom-laden sauce that promises pure comfort.

Wine lovers appreciate the depth of flavor from a good madeira.

Crisp vegetables and perfectly seared meat complement the luxurious sauce beautifully.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this restaurant-quality meal at home.

Why Chicken Madeira Is A Fancy Yet Easy Favorite

• Boost Cooking Confidence: Master a restaurant-quality dish with straightforward steps that guide even novice cooks through creating a gourmet chicken meal.
• Customize with Versatility: Easily swap ingredients like different cheeses or vegetables to match personal taste preferences or pantry availability.
• Impress Dinner Guests: Elevate your culinary skills with a visually stunning dish that looks professionally prepared but requires minimal technical cooking techniques.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by using a single skillet for sautéing, searing, and creating a rich, creamy Madeira sauce that coats every ingredient perfectly.

Gather These For Classic Chicken Madeira

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender protein that serves as the main star of this dish.
• Mozzarella Cheese: A creamy cheese that adds richness and creates a golden brown topping.

• Asparagus: A bright green vegetable that provides a fresh and tender element to the dish.
• Mushrooms, Onion, Garlic, Parsley: Aromatic ingredients that enhance the overall flavor profile and add depth to the recipe.

• Madeira Wine, Chicken Broth, Heavy Cream: A combination of liquids that create a luxurious and flavorful sauce.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.

• Butter: A rich fat that helps with sautéing and adds a smooth, velvety texture to the dish.

Simple Steps To Make Chicken Madeira

Step 1: Prepare Vibrant Asparagus

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Toss asparagus into the bubbling water and cook until it turns a bright, vivid green, about 2-3 minutes.

Quickly drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set the crisp asparagus aside.

Step 2: Sauté Flavorful Mushrooms

Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook until they develop a rich, golden-brown color, around 7-8 minutes.

• Salt
• Pepper
• Chopped onion
• Minced garlic
• Fresh parsley

Cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Transfer the aromatic mushroom mixture to a separate plate.

Step 3: Perfectly Sear Chicken

Slice chicken breasts horizontally to create thinner cutlets. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

Wipe the skillet clean and melt remaining butter. Sear chicken for about 5 minutes on each side until it turns a beautiful golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Move the cooked chicken to the plate with mushrooms.

Step 4: Create Luxurious Madeira Sauce

Pour Madeira wine into the same skillet, scraping up any delicious browned bits.

Add chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 5: Assemble and Cheese the Dish

Return chicken to the skillet, generously coating it with the rich sauce.

Arrange the sautéed mushrooms and blanched asparagus around the chicken. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top.

Step 6: Broil to Golden Perfection

Place the skillet under the broiler on high heat. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the cheese melts and turns a beautiful golden brown, creating a tempting, bubbly topping.

Helpful Tips For Rich Chicken Madeira Flavor

• Blanch asparagus briefly to maintain its vibrant green color and crisp texture, ensuring it doesn't become mushy or overcooked.
• Sauté mushrooms at high heat for maximum golden-brown caramelization, which enhances their rich, earthy flavor profile.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
• Use fresh mozzarella for a more luxurious melting quality, creating a creamy and indulgent finish to the dish.
• Select a good-quality Madeira wine for the sauce, as it significantly impacts the overall depth and complexity of the flavor.

Twists To Try With Chicken Madeira

• Vegetarian Madeira: Replace chicken with thick-cut portobello mushrooms, keeping the same cooking technique and sauce for a hearty plant-based alternative.
• Mediterranean Style: Add sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, and swap mozzarella for crumbled feta cheese to create a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Chicken: Incorporate chili powder, cumin, and jalapeños into the seasoning, then top with pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern flair.
• Lighter Herb Option: Use skinless chicken breasts, reduce butter, replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt, and enhance with fresh thyme and rosemary for a healthier adaptation.

Perfect Pairings For Chicken Madeira Meals

• Pair Perfectly with Madeira Magic
• Crisp White Wine Complement: Select a vibrant Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay to match the rich, creamy sauce and cut through the dish's buttery texture.
• Rustic Bread Sidekick: Serve crusty sourdough or garlic bread to soak up the delectable Madeira wine sauce, enhancing every flavorful bite of the chicken.
• Fresh Green Salad Balancer: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a zesty, peppery contrast against the chicken's creamy, luxurious profile.
• Mediterranean Vegetable Companion: Prepare roasted Mediterranean vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes to add color and fresh complementary flavors that brighten the entire dish.

How To Store Chicken Madeira The Right Way

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer cooled Chicken Madeira to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the dish is completely cool before sealing to prevent bacterial growth and maintain optimal flavor.
• Freezer Storage: Wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Chicken Madeira can be frozen for 2-3 months without significant texture loss.
• Microwave Reheating: Place a single serving on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even warming.

FAQs About Chicken Madeira You’ll Love

• What is Madeira wine, and why is it used in this recipe?

Madeira is a fortified wine from Portugal’s Madeira islands. It adds a rich, slightly sweet and nutty flavor to the sauce, enhancing the overall depth and complexity of the Chicken Madeira dish.

• Can I substitute Madeira wine if I can't find it?

Yes, you can use Marsala wine or dry sherry as alternatives. These wines have similar flavor profiles and will work well in the recipe, though the taste will be slightly different from traditional Madeira.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The chicken should be golden brown on the outside and white throughout with no pink areas when cut.

Chicken Madeira Recipe

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4.7 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent chicken madeira showcases elegant flavors from traditional Italian-American cuisine, blending rich mushroom sauce with perfectly seared chicken breasts. Delightful restaurant-style dish promises restaurant-quality comfort right in home kitchens, offering you a gourmet meal without complex preparation.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 pound white mushrooms, sliced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 pound medium asparagus, ends trimmed
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

Liquids, Seasonings, and Cheese:

• 1/4 cup (57 grams) butter
• 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) Madeira wine
• 1 cup (237 milliliters) chicken broth
• 1/2 cup (118 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 cup (113 grams) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Blanch asparagus in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until vibrant green. Immediately cool under cold water and set aside.
2. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté mushrooms until rich golden color develops, approximately 7-8 minutes. Incorporate onion, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cook for additional 2 minutes. Remove mixture to a separate plate.
3. Butterfly chicken breasts horizontally, creating thinner cutlets. Season thoroughly with salt and pepper. Clean skillet and melt remaining butter. Sear chicken for 5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F and achieves golden exterior.
4. Deglaze skillet with Madeira wine, scraping browned bits from pan bottom. Pour chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring continuously. Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Return chicken to skillet, generously coating with prepared sauce. Strategically place sautéed mushrooms and blanched asparagus around chicken pieces. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly across surface.
6. Position skillet under broiler at high temperature. Broil for 3-4 minutes until cheese melts and develops attractive golden-brown bubbles.

Notes

• Ensure asparagus remains crisp-tender by blanching briefly and immediately cooling in ice water to preserve vibrant green color and prevent overcooking.
• Use high-quality, dry Madeira wine for authentic flavor depth and balance in the sauce, enhancing the overall richness of the dish.
• Pat chicken breasts dry before seasoning to achieve perfect golden-brown sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
• Select fresh, firm mushrooms like cremini or shiitake for deeper umami flavor and better texture in the final presentation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 485
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 590 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 132 mg