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Chicken & Poultry Kid-friendly

Chicken Breasts Lombardi

Tender chicken breasts in a buttery Marsala-mushroom sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan.

75 minutes
Serves 6
Dinner
26 min prep
41 min cook

Instructions

7 steps
  1. 1

    Cook the mushrooms in 2 Tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, just until tender. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

  2. 2

    Cut each chicken breast half in half lengthwise. Place each piece between two sheets of wax paper and pound to about 1/8 inch thick. Dredge the cutlets lightly in the flour.

  3. 3

    Melt the 1/3 cup butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken in batches until lightly browned on both sides, then arrange the pieces, edges overlapping, in a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Reserve the pan drippings in the skillet.

  4. 4

    Sprinkle the reserved mushrooms over the chicken.

  5. 5

    Add the Marsala and chicken broth to the skillet drippings. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer uncovered about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the salt and pepper, then pour the sauce over the chicken.

  6. 6

    Combine the mozzarella, Parmesan, and green onions and sprinkle evenly over the chicken.

  7. 7

    Bake uncovered at 450°F (230°C) for 12 to 14 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes if a more golden top is desired, then serve.

Chicken Breasts Lombardi — plated and served Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients.
Serving moment. How Chicken Breasts Lombardi looks plated and ready to eat — a representative photo, not a step in the recipe.

Listahan Family Score™

70/100

Good fit for most families

70
Allergen-friendly 80
Kid-friendly 85
Weeknight-easy 62
Budget-friendly 46
Great leftovers 93
Pantry-friendly 48

Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.

Nutrition

per serving

555

Calories

62 g

Protein

11 g

Carbs

25 g

Fat

Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.

Listahan cooking guide

Chef notes & practical guide

Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.

Cultural context

Chicken Lombardi is an Italian-American restaurant dish that became a Southern dinner-party favorite, layering sauteed chicken and mushrooms under a Marsala-scented sauce and a blanket of melted cheese. It echoes the classic chicken Marsala but dresses up for company with a baked, bubbling cheese finish. It is the kind of dish that feels celebratory without demanding advanced technique.

Listahan note

This version cooks the mushrooms down properly for deep flavor and uses a splash of Marsala to give the sauce its signature warmth. It is an impressive but achievable dish for a special weeknight or a gathering.

Technique cues

  • Cook the mushrooms in a single layer without crowding so they brown and concentrate instead of steaming.
  • Pound the chicken thin so it cooks fast and stays tender under the sauce and cheese.
  • Reduce the Marsala until the harsh alcohol cooks off and the sauce tastes nutty and rounded before it goes over the chicken.

Kitchen flow

Parallel prep
Brown the mushrooms and pound the chicken while the oven preheats so assembly and baking go quickly.
Make-ahead
Cook the chicken and mushroom sauce ahead, then assemble with cheese and bake just before serving.
Leftover move
Slice the leftover chicken and mushrooms over pasta with the sauce for an easy next-day dinner.
Cleanup rhythm
Use one skillet for mushrooms and chicken, then one baking dish; soak both while you eat.

Ingredient brief

Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.

chicken breasts

main protein

Purpose: Thin, tender cutlets are the base the mushrooms and cheese dress up.

Handling: Pound to even thinness and dredge lightly for a delicate crust.

Adaptation: Thin-sliced turkey breast or pork cutlets work the same way.

mushrooms

earthy depth

Purpose: Sauteed mushrooms give the dish its savory, woodsy backbone.

Handling: Slice and brown hard in batches for the deepest flavor.

Adaptation: Cremini bring more flavor than white button; mixed wild mushrooms elevate it.

Marsala wine

signature sauce note

Purpose: Marsala lends the warm, nutty sweetness that defines the dish.

Handling: Use to deglaze and reduce until the raw alcohol is gone.

Adaptation: Dry sherry or a splash of broth with a little grape juice approximates it for alcohol-free.

mozzarella and Parmesan

melted finish

Purpose: The bubbling cheese cap is what makes Lombardi feel indulgent and special.

Handling: Scatter over each cutlet and broil just until melted and golden.

Adaptation: A dairy-free melting cheese works for a lactose-free version.

green onions

fresh accent

Purpose: A scatter of green onion cuts the richness and adds color.

Handling: Slice thin and add at the end so they stay fresh.

Adaptation: Chopped parsley or chives play the same role.

Technique notes

  • Deglaze the mushroom pan with Marsala to capture every bit of browned flavor in the sauce.
  • Broil the cheese topping just until golden and bubbling rather than baking it long, which keeps the chicken juicy.
  • Finish with fresh green onion and a grind of pepper for brightness against the rich cheese.

Ingredient swaps

Alcohol-free direction
Replace Marsala with chicken broth plus a splash of grape juice and a little balsamic.
Gluten-free direction
Dredge the chicken in a gluten-free flour or cornstarch and check the broth.
Dairy-free option
Use a plant-based melting cheese and finish the sauce with olive oil instead of butter.

Serve alongside

  • Buttered fettuccine
  • Garlicky green beans
  • Caesar salad
  • Medium-bodied red such as Sangiovese
  • Sparkling water with lemon
  • Dry Marsala as an aperitif

Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.

Storage & reheating

  • Refrigerate up to three days in an airtight container. Reheat covered in a 325F oven so the cheese softens without the chicken drying, or microwave gently. It freezes for up to two months, though the cheese texture softens on thaw.

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Meat mallet
  • Oven-safe baking dish
  • Broiler or oven

Make this household-aware

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