Luscious Chicken in Tarragon Sauce Recipe: A Dreamy Dinner Delight

Culinary magic happens when creamy chicken in tarragon sauce meets your kitchen’s creative spirit.

Whispers of french countryside kitchens inspire this delightful dish.

Delicate herbs dance with tender meat, creating a symphony of flavors.

Smooth sauce embraces each chicken morsel with velvety elegance.

Sophisticated yet simple, this recipe promises comfort and excitement on your plate.

Home cooks will adore how quickly this meal comes together.

You can become a kitchen maestro with just a few ingredients and some passion.

FAQs For James Martin Chicken In Tarragon Sauce

• What type of chicken cut works best for this recipe?

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal, ensuring even cooking and easy sauce pairing while keeping the meat tender and juicy.

• How can I tell if my chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), which guarantees the chicken is safe to eat and perfectly done.

• Can I substitute the wine in the sauce?

White wine works best, but you can use chicken broth or apple juice as a non-alcoholic alternative that still provides depth of flavor.

• Why does the recipe include honey?

Honey helps caramelize the chicken’s surface, creating a golden-brown color and adding a subtle sweetness that complements the savory tarragon sauce.

Why James Martin Chicken In Tarragon Sauce Is So Creamy

• Savor Gourmet Elegance: Transform a simple chicken dish into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal professional cooking skills required.
• Master Quick Gourmet Cooking: Prepare a sophisticated French-inspired sauce in just a few steps, impressing family and guests with minimal kitchen expertise.
• Customize Flavor Brilliance: Easily adjust the sauce's richness by controlling cream and wine quantities, making this recipe adaptable to personal taste preferences.
• Wow with Minimal Effort: Create a stunning main course that looks and tastes complex but involves straightforward cooking techniques anyone can master.

Ingredients For James Martin Chicken In Tarragon Sauce

• Chicken Breasts: A lean protein that serves as the star of this delicious dish.

• White Wine, Chicken Stock: These ingredients create a flavorful base for the sauce and help deglaze the pan.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and smooth texture to the tarragon sauce.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor.
• Fresh Tarragon: A classic French herb that provides a delicate, slightly sweet anise-like flavor to the sauce.
• Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps create a beautiful golden color on the chicken.

• Cooking Oil: Used to brown the chicken and prevent sticking to the pan.

How To Cook James Martin Chicken In Tarragon Sauce

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Set the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is equivalent to 200 degrees Celsius or gas mark 6.

Step 2: Sear Chicken Breasts

Lightly coat a baking pan with oil. Brown the chicken breasts, seasoning both sides. Position the chicken skin side up and drizzle honey over the top.

Step 3: Roast Chicken

Roast the chicken in the oven for approximately 20 minutes until fully cooked. Remove from the oven and set aside, keeping the chicken warm.

Step 4: Create Pan Sauce Base

Drain excess fat from the baking pan. Pour in wine and bring to a boil. Scrape the pan to incorporate all the delicious chicken drippings. Reduce heat until only two tablespoons of concentrated juice remain.

Step 5: Build Sauce Flavors

Increase heat to boil the sauce, reducing it by one-third. Add chicken stock and fresh tarragon leaves to enhance the flavor profile.

Step 6: Finish Sauce

Stir in cream and bring to a boil. Allow the sauce to reduce slightly. Remove the tarragon sprig and sprinkle in freshly chopped tarragon.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Adjust seasonings to taste. Generously spoon the luxurious sauce over the roasted chicken and serve immediately.

Top Tips For James Martin Chicken In Tarragon Sauce

• Prevent Dry Chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry before browning to ensure a crispy, golden exterior and juicy interior.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Deglaze the pan thoroughly to capture all caramelized chicken bits, which add rich, complex taste to the sauce.
• Herb Freshness Matters: Use fresh tarragon leaves for a brighter, more vibrant flavor compared to dried herbs.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Simmer the sauce slowly to achieve the perfect thickness without burning or separating the cream.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to check chicken is cooked to 165F, guaranteeing food safety and tender meat.

Ways To Switch Up James Martin Chicken In Tarragon Sauce

• Herb-Crusted Chicken Variation: Replace tarragon with a mix of fresh rosemary, thyme, and parsley for a robust herbal flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Chicken Spin: Swap honey with olive oil and add lemon zest, oregano, and kalamata olives to create a Greek-inspired version.
• Low-Carb Keto Option: Use coconut cream instead of regular cream and replace honey with a sugar-free sweetener to make the recipe ketogenic-friendly.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk or almond cream and use ghee instead of regular butter for lactose-intolerant individuals.

Perfect Sides For James Martin Chicken In Tarragon Sauce

• Elevate Chicken's Flavor Profile: Pair this rich, herb-infused chicken with crisp white Burgundy wine to complement its delicate tarragon notes.
• Match Culinary Textures: Serve alongside buttery roasted asparagus or creamy mashed potatoes to balance the sauce's velvety consistency.
• Brighten the Plate: Add a light mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the cream sauce's richness and provide a fresh counterpoint.
• Complete the Experience: Choose a chilled Chablis or unoaked Chardonnay that echoes the wine used in the sauce, creating a harmonious dining moment.

Storing James Martin Chicken In Tarragon Sauce Properly

• Store leftover chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled chicken and sauce to freezer-safe containers. Properly sealed, they'll last up to 2 months. Avoid freezing cream-based sauce separately as it might separate.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Place chicken in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F.
• Place chicken on a microwave-safe plate, add a splash of stock to maintain moisture. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature between each burst to prevent overcooking.

Chicken In Tarragon Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy French-inspired chicken in tarragon sauce brings elegant simplicity to weeknight dining. Rich herb-infused cream sauce and tender chicken create a delightful harmony you’ll savor with each luxurious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 4 breasts of chicken

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 2 sprigs tarragon
• 2 tablespoons chopped tarragon
• 1 tablespoon runny honey
• Salt
• Black pepper

Liquids and Fats:

• Vegetable oil
• 75 milliliters (2.5 fluid ounces) medium dry white wine
• 150 milliliters (5 fluid ounces) chicken stock
• 150 milliliters (5 fluid ounces) double cream

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F, preparing a baking pan for roasting chicken breasts.
2. Lightly coat chicken breasts with oil, season thoroughly on both sides, and arrange skin-side up in the pan. Drizzle honey over the top for a caramelized finish.
3. Roast the chicken for approximately 20 minutes until fully cooked through. Remove from oven and set aside, keeping the meat warm.
4. Drain excess fat from the baking pan, then deglaze with wine, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom. Reduce liquid until only two tablespoons of concentrated juices remain.
5. Pour stock into the pan and add whole tarragon leaves. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil, reducing the volume by one-third.
6. Incorporate cream into the sauce, stirring continuously. Allow the sauce to simmer and thicken slightly, then remove the whole tarragon sprig.
7. Chop fresh tarragon and stir into the sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Generously spoon the aromatic tarragon sauce over the roasted chicken before serving.

Notes

• Select chicken breasts with consistent thickness to ensure even cooking and prevent dry spots.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help create a beautiful golden-brown crust when roasting.
• Use fresh tarragon leaves for a more vibrant and aromatic flavor compared to dried herbs.
• Control sauce consistency by adjusting boiling time – longer boiling creates a thicker, more concentrated sauce.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 275 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 5 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg