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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- 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.
- In the same skillet, sauté finely chopped shallots and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
- Pour white wine into the skillet, allowing it to simmer and reduce by half, which concentrates the flavors.
- Whisk in chicken stock, heavy cream, and fresh chopped tarragon, creating a smooth, aromatic sauce.
- Mix cornflour with a small amount of cold water to create a smooth slurry, then gradually stir into the sauce to thicken.
- 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.
- 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