Zesty Lemon Chicken Tarragon Recipe for Weeknight Magic

Delightful chicken tarragon dances with elegance on dinner plates across culinary landscapes.

Aromatic herbs whisper complex flavor stories from french kitchens.

Gentle cream sauces complement tender poultry with sophisticated charm.

Mediterranean influences blend seamlessly through carefully selected ingredients.

Subtle tarragon notes create magical kitchen moments that surprise palates.

Seasonal vegetables and succulent chicken merge into a memorable dining experience.

You will adore how effortlessly this classic dish comes together with minimal preparation.

Savor each delectable bite and let your taste buds celebrate.

Why Delia Smith Chicken Tarragon Stands Out

• Savor Gourmet Simplicity: This chicken tarragon recipe transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish with minimal cooking skills required.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: Perfect for busy families, the recipe delivers a sophisticated meal in less than an hour, making dinner preparation stress-free and enjoyable.
• Creamy Comfort Classic: The rich, velvety sauce with white wine and cream creates a luxurious flavor profile that feels indulgent yet remarkably easy to prepare.
• Versatile Dining Delight: Suitable for casual family dinners or elegant gatherings, this recipe adapts beautifully to different occasions and impresses guests with minimal effort.

Delia Smith Chicken Tarragon Ingredient Breakdown

• Chicken: A tender, succulent meat that serves as the star of this classic French-inspired dish.

• Shallots, Garlic: Provide a delicate, sweet, and aromatic base that enhances the overall flavor profile of the sauce.

• White Wine: Adds depth and acidity to create a complex sauce.
• Chicken Stock: Provides a rich, savory foundation for the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a luxurious, smooth texture and adds richness.
• Tarragon: A classic French herb that brings a subtle anise-like flavor and freshness to the dish.

• Cornflour: Helps to thicken the sauce and give it a silky consistency.
• Oil: Used for browning the chicken and creating a flavorful base.
• Fresh Herbs: Add a bright, fresh garnish to complete the dish.

Easy Steps For Delia Smith Chicken Tarragon

Step 1: Sizzle Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat a skillet with oil over medium-high heat. Place chicken pieces in the pan, allowing each side to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust. Once both sides are perfectly seared, transfer the chicken to a waiting plate.

Step 2: Awaken Aromatic Shallots and Garlic

• Finely chopped shallots
• Minced garlic

Cook until they become soft and translucent, releasing their delightful fragrance throughout the kitchen.

Step 3: Splash and Sizzle with White Wine

Pour white wine into the skillet, letting it bubble and dance. Allow the liquid to reduce, concentrating the flavors and creating a rich base for the sauce.

Step 4: Create a Luxurious Creamy Sauce

• Chicken stock
• Heavy cream
• Fresh tarragon leaves

Blend the ingredients smoothly, creating a velvety sauce that promises incredible depth of flavor.

Step 5: Thicken the Sauce with Cornflour Magic

Gradually add a cornflour mixture to the sauce, stirring continuously. Watch as the sauce transforms, becoming beautifully thick and glossy.

Step 6: Reunite Chicken with Sauce

Carefully return the seared chicken to the skillet. Cover and let it simmer gently, allowing the chicken to absorb the incredible flavors for about 10 minutes.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped herbs over the dish. Serve piping hot, ready to delight taste buds with its rich, creamy elegance.

Good Tips For Making Delia Smith Chicken Tarragon

• Lock in Moisture: Pat chicken dry before browning to ensure a golden, crispy exterior and prevent steaming.
• Wine Selection Matters: Choose a dry white wine like sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio for the best flavor balance.
• Gentle Thickening Technique: Add cornflour mixture slowly and whisk continuously to prevent lumps in the sauce.
• Fresh Herb Boost: Use fresh tarragon instead of dried for a more vibrant, aromatic flavor profile.
• Temperature Control: Maintain a medium-low heat while simmering to keep chicken tender and prevent sauce from breaking.

Fun Changes For Delia Smith Chicken Tarragon

• Herb-Swap Version: Replace tarragon with thyme or rosemary for a different aromatic profile, maintaining the classic French-inspired cooking technique.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute cream with coconut milk or cashew cream, creating a lighter sauce while keeping the rich flavor complexity.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Skip cornflour and use xanthan gum as a thickener, reducing overall carbohydrate content without compromising sauce texture.
• Protein Swap: Exchange chicken with turkey breast or pork tenderloin, offering a versatile recipe that works with multiple lean protein options.

What Goes Well With Delia Smith Chicken Tarragon

• Elevate Chicken Tarragon's Flavors
• Pair with Crisp Chardonnay: The wine's buttery notes complement the creamy tarragon sauce, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that dance on your palate.
• Serve Alongside Roasted Asparagus: The earthy, slightly bitter asparagus provides a perfect counterpoint to the rich, smooth chicken dish, adding texture and freshness.
• Match with Herb-Infused Quinoa: A light, herbal quinoa side dish echoes the tarragon's delicate flavor while offering a nutritious and satisfying accompaniment that balances the creamy sauce.
• Recommend Crusty French Bread: Warm, rustic bread becomes the ideal vehicle for soaking up the luxurious sauce, ensuring not a single drop goes to waste and enhancing the overall dining experience.

How To Handle Leftovers Of Delia Smith Chicken Tarragon

• Store leftover chicken tarragon in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled chicken to freezer-safe containers or bags. Wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn. Stays fresh for 2-3 months.
• Place chicken in a microwave-safe dish. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Warm chicken in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of chicken stock or cream to restore sauce consistency. Stir gently to prevent breaking the sauce and heat until warmed through, about 5-7 minutes.

Things People Ask About Delia Smith Chicken Tarragon

• What is tarragon and why is it important in this recipe?

Tarragon is a delicate French herb with a subtle licorice-like flavor that adds a unique, sophisticated taste to chicken dishes. It’s key to creating the classic French-style profile of this recipe.

• Can I use dried tarragon instead of fresh?

Yes, but use about one-third the amount of dried tarragon compared to fresh. Dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor, so be careful not to overpower the dish.

• Is this recipe suitable for beginners?

Absolutely! The technique is straightforward, involving simple steps like browning chicken, sautéing aromatics, and creating a creamy sauce. Even novice cooks can master this elegant French-inspired dish.

Chicken Tarragon Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 25 mins
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

French-inspired Chicken Tarragon weaves classic culinary magic with tender chicken swimming in a silky cream sauce infused with delicate herb notes. Elegant comfort finds its peak on dinner plates, inviting diners to savor rich, harmonious flavors that dance between rustic and refined.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 4 to 6 small chicken breast fillets

Aromatics and Seasoning:

• 2 shallots or 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, chopped
• Parsley (optional)
• Salt and pepper

Liquids and Thickeners:

• 12 tablespoons (180 ml) olive oil
• 160 milliliters (5.4 fluid ounces) dry white wine
• 125 milliliters (4.2 fluid ounces) chicken stock
• 125 milliliters (4.2 fluid ounces) double cream (or soya cream)
• 1 tablespoon cornflour
• 1 tablespoon water

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Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken pieces until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
2. In the same skillet, sauté finely chopped shallots and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
3. Pour white wine into the skillet, allowing it to simmer and reduce by half, which concentrates the flavors.
4. Whisk in chicken stock, heavy cream, and fresh chopped tarragon, creating a smooth, aromatic sauce.
5. Mix cornflour with a small amount of cold water to create a smooth slurry, then gradually stir into the sauce to thicken.
6. Gently return browned chicken to the skillet, nestling pieces into the sauce. Cover and simmer on low heat for 8-10 minutes, ensuring chicken is fully cooked and tender.
7. Remove lid, check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F. Garnish with additional fresh tarragon leaves and serve immediately with the creamy sauce.

Notes

• Marinate chicken beforehand in tarragon and white wine for deeper flavor infusion.
• Use fresh tarragon leaves instead of dried for a brighter, more vibrant herb taste.
• Select a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the sauce’s complexity.
• Create a gluten-free version by replacing cornflour with arrowroot powder or xanthan gum for sauce thickening.

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 499 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 42 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 35 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg