Chicken and Mushroom Marsala

When I'm not thinking about becoming a successful pastry chef and opening up an ADORABLE bakery, I think about opening up a cute, homey little cafe/diner where I would serve delicious comfort food all day every day. People would leave with full bellies and smiles on their faces as they've been flooded with nostalgia of their childhoods. (I said I like to dream BIG, remember?)
Seriously though, nobody can resist comfort food. I know this for a fact.
I'd like to see you try to say no to a steaming hot plate of homemade mac n cheese in your face, or chicken pot pie, or green bean casserole. Don't kid yourself, you can't do it.
If, someday, this diner of mine springs up, I know what my first menu item would be. Chicken and mushroom marsala and homemade garlic mashed potatoes. And maybe I would throw a veggie in that mix too, just for good measure. (We had it with steamed asparagus)
This dish is classic, it's comforting, and its insanely delicious. The flavors that are achieved in just a short 20-30 minutes are to die for. This is a meal that is meant to be savored.

Chicken and Mushroom Marsala
(Inspired/Adapted from recipes from Epicurious & Emeril)

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in halves and pounded thin
1/4 cup flour
About teaspoon each of:
salt, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dried thyme, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 onion, sliced thin
3/4 pound white button mushrooms, sliced thin
3/4 cup Marsala
1 cup chicken broth, low sodium
cornstarch for thickening
minced fresh parsley for garnish

On a plate combine the flour and seasonings and stir to combine thoroughly. Quickly dredge the chicken breast halves in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking to remove any excess flour.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add 1 tablespoon of the butter and cook the chicken breasts until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Add 1 tablespoon of the remaining butter to the pan and add the mushrooms and onions. Cook, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are golden brown around the edges and have given off their liquid. Add the Marsala wine and bring to a boil, scraping to remove any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. When the wine has reduced by half, add the chicken stock and cook until the sauce has thickened slightly. If sauce does not thicken to likening, add a cornstarch/chicken stock mixture to increase thickness.
Lower the heat to medium and return the chicken breasts to the pan and continue to cook until they are cooked through and the sauce has thickened, about 5 to 6 minutes. Swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, add salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.