Craving the rich, savory goodness of Chicken Madeira from Cheesecake Factory? This copycat recipe brings the restaurant favorite straight to your dinner table with juicy chicken breasts, melted mozzarella, tender asparagus, and a rich Madeira wine sauce that tastes like fine dining in every bite.
Perfect for special occasions or weeknight indulgence, this dish is surprisingly easy to make at home — and it’s ready in under an hour!

🛠️ Tools You’ll Need
- Large skillet or sauté pan
- Meat mallet (to flatten chicken)
- Tongs
- Saucepan
- Cheese grater
- Cutting board & sharp knife
Chicken Madeira Ingredients:
Each ingredient is chosen for flavor and texture, making the dish rich and satisfying. Therefore, each ingredient balances flavors and textures to tickle your taste buds.
- Sautéed Chicken Breast: The chicken is lightly browned and cooked in a pan with butter or oil. It is the main protein, providing a tender, juicy base for the dish. It holds the flavors of the sauce and toppings.
- Fresh Asparagus: Asparagus adds a vibrant green color and a crisp bite, which contrasts the richness of the sauce and cheese. Its fresh flavor brings lightness to the dish.
- Melted Mozzarella Cheese: Mozzarella melts beautifully, creating a smooth and creamy texture that enhances the chicken. Its mild flavor doesn’t overpower the dish but rather complements the savory notes of the chicken and sauce.
- Mushroom Madeira Sauce: Made from Madeira wine and mushrooms, this sauce has a deep, earthy flavor. The wine adds a sweet, tangy taste.
- Mashed Potatoes: The creamy mashed potatoes are a perfect accompaniment to this dish, as they help absorb the flavorful sauce. Mashed potatoes also provide a comforting, hearty side that makes the dish more filling.
⏱️ Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 4

Cheesecake Factory Chicken Madeira Recipe:
You can easily make a copycat Chicken Madeira cheesecake factory at home by following a simple recipe. It’s a delicious and easy way to recreate the restaurant favorite.
Fresh Asparagus:
Here’s how you can cook fresh asparagus along with the Chicken Madeira in simple steps:
Ingredients:
- Fresh asparagus
- Water
- Salt
Cooking Steps:
- Wash the asparagus and trim the woody ends.
- Boil a pot of water and add salt.
- Cook the asparagus in the boiling water for 2-3 minutes.
- Transfer the asparagus to ice water to keep it crisp and green.
- Remove the asparagus from the water and set aside.
Mashed Potatoes:
Here are simple step-by-step instructions to make the mashed potatoes.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of potatoes
- 1/2 cup of milk or Whipped Cream
- 1/4 cup of butter
- Salt
- Black pepper
- parsley
Instructions:
- Peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks.
- Place the potato chunks in a pot and cover with cold water.
- Add a pinch of salt and bring the water to a boil.
- Now, cook the potatoes for 15-20 minutes, or until they are fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
- After that, add the butter and mash the potatoes with a potato masher or fork.
- Gradually stir in the milk until you reach your desired consistency.
- Season with salt, parsley, and black pepper to taste.
Sautéed Chicken Breast:
Here are the steps to prepare the chicken:
Ingredients:
- 2 Chicken Slice
- Half tsp salt
- Quarter tsp black pepper
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- 1 Tbsp Oil
Cooking Steps:
- Take 2 chicken breast halves and place them in a plastic bag. Pound each piece until they are about a quarter inch thick.
- Season the chicken with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- In a warm pan, add 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil.
- Add the seasoned chicken to the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken and place it on the same plate of mushrooms.
Mushroom Madeira Sauce:
Follow the steps to prepare the Mushroom Madeira sauce:
Ingredients:
- Mushroom
- Onion
- Garlic
- Parsley
- 2 Tbsp Butter
- 1 Tbsp Oil
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- One or Half cup Madeira Wine
- 1 and 1/2 cup beef broth
- Whipping Cream
Cooking Steps:
- Slice the mushrooms into thick pieces.
- Finely chop the parsley.
- Peel and cut the garlic into cloves.
- Dice the onion into small pieces.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan.
- Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until soft.
- Stir in diced onion and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add chopped garlic, parsley, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat.
- Remove it on a separate plate and set it aside.
- Now, in the pan pour Madeira wine and scrape the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Boil for about 5 minutes until it reduces by half.
- Add 1 and 1/2 cups of beef broth. Boil for 8 to 10 minutes until it reduces to 1/4 of the original volume.
- Lower the heat and stir in whipping cream. Simmer for 2 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
- Taste the sauce and add salt and black pepper as needed.
- Add the mushrooms mixture to the pan and remove from the pan.
Chicken Madeira:
Finally, prepare the Chicken Madeira to enjoy at home.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mozzarella Cheese
- Chicken
- Mushrooms
- Asparagus
- Parsely
Cooking Steps:
- In the pan, add the cooked chicken and pour the Mushroom Madeira sauce.
- Top the chicken with asparagus, then sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
- Preheat the oven broiler to high heat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Remove from the oven and place on a plate.
- Serve with mashed potatoes on the side and garnish with parsley. Enjoy your meal!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Madeira ❤️
✅ Rich and Elegant Flavor
A bold, savory Madeira wine sauce enhances the flavor of perfectly cooked chicken and tender vegetables.
✅ Restaurant Quality at Home
This version tastes just like Cheesecake Factory — but costs a lot less and uses simple ingredients.
✅ Perfect for Entertaining
Impressive presentation, incredible taste, and sure to wow your guests.
💡 Tips for the Best Chicken Madeira
- Use Real Madeira Wine: Not Marsala — it’s less sweet and gives the dish its signature flavor.
- Don’t Skip the Searing: It locks in moisture and adds depth.
- Don’t Overcook Asparagus: Keep it bright and tender-crisp.
- Rest the Chicken: After searing, let it rest briefly before returning to the sauce.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
- Mashed potatoes or creamy polenta
- Garlic butter noodles
- Roasted vegetables
- A glass of Madeira wine or dry red wine
🔄 Variations and Substitutions
- Swap Mozzarella: Use provolone, fontina, or gouda for a twist.
- Add Mushrooms: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the shallots for a deeper flavor.
- Make it Creamy: Add a splash of heavy cream at the end of the sauce for richness.
- Low-Carb Option: Serve over cauliflower mash or zucchini noodles.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using the Wrong Wine: Madeira has a unique profile; Marsala or sherry won’t taste the same.
- Overcooking Chicken: It should be juicy, not dry. Use a thermometer if needed (165°F internal temp).
- Not Reducing the Sauce Enough: The sauce should be thick, rich, and cling to the chicken.
Cheesecake Factory Chicken Madeira Nutrition:
Energy Content: 1300 Cal, 5439.2 Joule
Nutrients | Per Portion |
Protein | 89g |
Sugar | 11g |
Saturated Fat | 35g |
Trans Fat | 2g |
Fat | 73g |
Carbohydrates | 72g |
Cholesterol | 415mg |
Sodium | 2390mg |
Fiber | 9g |
How Many Calories Are in Chicken Madeira at The Cheesecake Factory?
The Chicken Madeira dish at The Cheesecake Factory contains about 1,300 calories.
Is Chicken Madeira gluten-free?
Chicken Madeira is not gluten-free due to the sauce and potential cross-contamination in the kitchen.
What does Chicken Madeira taste like?
Chicken Madeira has a rich and savory flavor from the sauce, complemented by tender chicken and earthy mushrooms.
How is Chicken Madeira prepared?
The chicken is usually pan-fried or sautéed and then topped with the Mushroom Madeira sauce before serving.
Does Chicken Madeira come with any garnishes?
It is typically garnished with parsley, enhancing its presentation.
What is Madeira wine?
Madeira is a fortified Portuguese wine with a rich, nutty flavor. It’s essential for this dish’s signature sauce.
Can I substitute another wine?
Marsala is the closest alternative, but the flavor will be sweeter and different.
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes, boneless thighs work well — they’re juicier but may need a longer cook time.
Is this gluten-free?
Yes, if you use gluten-free beef broth and wine, and thicken with cornstarch (not flour).
How long does it keep?
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Prep the sauce and chicken separately, then reheat gently and assemble before serving.
Can I freeze it?
You can freeze the chicken and sauce (without asparagus or cheese) for up to 2 months.
Conclusion
This Chicken Madeira Cheesecake Factory copycat recipe delivers restaurant-level flavor right from your home kitchen. With juicy chicken, fresh asparagus, melty mozzarella, and that irresistible Madeira sauce, it’s a comforting and impressive dish that’s sure to become a favorite.
Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just want a special dinner for two, this dish hits the spot. Easy to prepare, full of rich flavor, and beautifully plated — it’s everything you love about the Cheesecake Factory, homemade with love.
Chicken Madeira
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts pounded to even thickness
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms cremini or button
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup Madeira wine or dry Marsala as a substitute
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch + 2 tablespoons water optional, for thickening
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 12 spears asparagus blanched or steamed until just tender
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Prepare Chicken:
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Sear chicken on both sides until golden brown and cooked through (about 4–5 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
Sauté Mushrooms:
- In the same skillet, melt butter. Add mushrooms and cook until browned and tender, about 5–7 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
Make Madeira Sauce:
- Pour in Madeira wine and beef broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8–10 minutes until reduced by half. Stir in heavy cream. Simmer for 2–3 minutes. (Optional: Mix cornstarch and water, then stir in to thicken.)
Assemble and Melt Cheese:
- Return chicken to the pan. Spoon sauce and mushrooms over the top. Add a few asparagus spears on each piece of chicken. Sprinkle mozzarella over everything. Cover with lid or broil for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve:
- Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve hot with mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.
Notes
- Wine substitute: Marsala or dry white wine works well if Madeira isn’t available.
- Vegetable option: You can substitute asparagus with green beans or spinach.