Best Chicken Marsala in Orlando

A Classic That Never Goes Out of Style

Chicken marsala is one of those Italian-American classics that every restaurant claims to serve, but very few get right. At Ciao Italia Ristorante, the pollo marsala is made the traditional way: a tender chicken breast, lightly dusted with flour, pan-seared until golden, then finished in a rich sauce built from imported Marsala wine and sauteed mushrooms. It is simple in concept and extraordinary in execution.

The Navarra family has been serving this dish at their Westwood Blvd restaurant since 1991. The Marsala wine is the real thing, imported from Sicily. The mushrooms are sauteed until they release their full flavor. And the chicken is cooked with the kind of patience and attention that you only find in a kitchen run by people who genuinely care about the food.

What Makes Ciao Italia's Marsala Different

The difference comes down to the sauce. At most chain restaurants, the Marsala sauce is made with cooking wine and thickened with starch. At Ciao Italia, it starts with imported Marsala wine from Sicily, reduced with the pan drippings from the seared chicken, and finished with butter and fresh mushrooms. The result is a sauce with real depth, a slight sweetness balanced by the earthiness of the mushrooms and the richness of the pan juices.

The chicken itself is never overcooked. It is lightly pounded for even thickness, dusted with just enough flour to create a golden crust, and seared quickly so it stays juicy inside. This is not a dish that sits under a heat lamp. It goes from the pan to your table, and that freshness makes all the difference.

Beyond the Marsala

If chicken marsala is your go-to Italian order, you will be happy to know that Ciao Italia also offers veal marsala, prepared with the same sauce and technique. The chicken piccata, with its bright lemon-caper sauce, is another favorite for guests who love chicken prepared the Italian way. And of course, the chicken parmigiana is always available for those who want something heartier.

Ciao Italia is located 3 minutes from SeaWorld and the Orange County Convention Center, with free self-parking and open seven days a week from 5 PM to 10 PM. Private dining for up to 60, full buyout for 110. Over 4,000+ reviews and 9 awards over 35 years.