Mouthwatering Tarragon Chicken Recipe | Our Kitchen
Welcome to where French flair meets rustic charm. Our tarragon chicken recipe is perfect for those who love a creamy, herbed chicken. It promises to delight your taste buds. The unique, aromatic tarragon makes this dish unforgettable.
Prep time is only 15 minutes, and cooking takes about 35 minutes. It’s enough to serve 4 people. You’ll need 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 3 garlic cloves, 500g of chicken breast, 1 brown onion, 1 cup of dry white wine, 1 cup of cream, and 2 tablespoons of chopped tarragon.
The chicken cooks in the tarragon sauce for 15 minutes, becoming tender and full of flavour. Serve it with steamed rice and broccolini. Add a glass of Chardonnay for the perfect meal. This chicken tarragon recipe will impress everyone at your table.
Introduction to Tarragon Chicken
Our tarragon chicken recipe is a classic dish that brings French cuisine to your table. It uses the unique taste of fresh tarragon mixed with creamy and lush ingredients. This recipe is not just food; it’s a journey into the heart of French cooking traditions.
The story of tarragon chicken is rich with cultural meanings. Fresh tarragon adds a special aroma that matches perfectly with chicken. Ingredients like dry white wine, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard blend to create a wonderful sauce. This mix of flavours makes the dish a memorable treat for anyone.
This tarragon chicken recipe is as delicious as it is easy to make. It needs two chicken breast fillets and takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. Quick to cook, it’s a great choice for a fancy dinner that doesn’t take much time.
We also focus on making the meal balanced and nutritious. With only 389 kcal per serving, it’s filling without being too rich. It’s perfect for feeding up to four people, making it an excellent option for family dinners or small get-togethers. This recipe chicken tarragon allows you to enjoy a lovely meal that leaves everyone happy.
Ingredients You Will Need
Making a tasty tarragon chicken dish is easy with the right stuff. Use chicken thighs with skin for crispiness. Or use skinless chicken breast fillets, cut in half lengthwise, for even cooking. Choose double (heavy) cream or crème fraiche for the sauce for a tangy flavour.
Here are the key ingredients for tarragon chicken:
- Chicken thighs or skinless chicken breasts
- Fresh tarragon and dried tarragon
- Shallots
- Garlish® Oil and Garlish® Crush
- 200ml chicken stock
- 120ml sherry and 30ml sherry vinegar
- Double cream or crème fraiche
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1 tsp mustard
- Salt and black pepper
This recipe also includes simmering 120ml of white wine for 3-4 minutes. This makes the dish taste better. If you don’t want alcohol, use extra chicken and tarragon stock instead.
Having everything ready makes cooking this lovely meal quick. It only takes thirty minutes. Here’s what you need to know about its nutrition per serving:
Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
---|---|
Calories | 389kcal |
Carbohydrates | 6g |
Protein | 26g |
Fat | 26g |
Saturated Fat | 13g |
Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g |
Monounsaturated Fat | 8g |
Trans Fat | 0.4g |
Cholesterol | 129mg |
Sodium | 210mg |
Potassium | 539mg |
Fibre | 0.3g |
Sugar | 1g |
Vitamin A | 807IU |
Vitamin C | 2mg |
Calcium | 52mg |
Iron | 1mg |
Our tarragon chicken recipe is both delicious and healthy. It’s sure to be a hit, offering great taste and nutritional benefits.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Start making tarragon chicken by heating Garlish® Oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Dry the chicken with paper towels for a crispy skin. Then creamy tarragon chicken season it well with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken thighs on both sides for about 5-7 minutes each.
After browning the chicken, remove it and set it aside. Use the same pan to sauté chopped shallots until soft. This brings a deep aroma to your meal.
- Brown the chicken thighs in Garlish® Oil.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Remove the chicken and sauté shallots.
Now, deglaze the pan with a bit less than half a cup of sherry. This action lifts the tasty bits stuck to the pan. Add in chicken stock, Dijon mustard, and half the tarragon. Put the chicken back in the skillet and let it simmer. Wait until it’s fully cooked, which is chicken in tarragon sauce around 15 minutes, or when it reaches 165°F inside.
- Deglaze the pan with sherry.
- Add chicken stock and mustard.
- Return chicken to the skillet and simmer.
To thicken the sauce, prepare a cornstarch slurry. Next, blend in crème fraiche and top with fresh tarragon leaves. For a complete dish, pair this tarragon chicken with basmati rice or potatoes.
- Prepare a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
- Stir in crème fraiche and garnish with fresh tarragon.
- Serve with basmati rice or potatoes.
The essential tools for this recipe are measuring cups and spoons, and a large skillet. Also, have a wooden spoon, a small bowl, and tongs ready. Complement your meal with Easy Fennel Salad, Simple Butter Lettuce Salad, or Green Beans Almondine for a full feast.
We hope you find these instructions helpful for cooking tarragon chicken. Follow these steps for a delightful meal.
Tips for Perfect Tarragon Chicken
When making tarragon chicken, it’s crucial to use fresh tarragon and high-quality ingredients. These tips will help make your dish stand out:
First, ensure you use fresh tarragon; its flavour truly makes the dish special. A 20g bunch of fresh tarragon brings zest to your chicken.
Quality sherry and dry white wine are key. They blend well with the chicken, creating a rich and aromatic taste.
Make sure to brown the chicken skin before roasting. It adds texture and flavor. Start roasting in a high-sided tray at 220°C fan, then lower to 140°C fan. The thigh’s deepest part should reach 65–70°C to be perfectly cooked.
For the sauce, mix carefully to avoid lumps. Keep stirring as you add the cream for smoothness. With 250ml of double cream and a large tablespoon of Dijon mustard, you’ll get a creamy, tasty sauce.
Serve with light sides like steamed greens or a crisp salad. They offer a refreshing contrast to the creamy sauce.
Let the chicken rest for 15 minutes before carving. It ensures the meat is juicy and tender in each bite.
Here’s a quick summary of vital stats for making tarragon chicken:
Number of Servings | 5 |
---|---|
Cooking Temperature | 220°C fan (initial roasting), 140°C fan (reduced) |
Cooking Time | 20-30 min (initial), 30-40 min (additional) |
Resting Time | 15 minutes |
Ingredient Highlights | Olive oil, Double cream, Fresh tarragon, Dijon mustard, Dry white wine |
Method | Spatchcocking and roasting in a high-sided tray |
Serving Suggestions
When we serve tarragon chicken, we aim to lift the dining experience. We pair it with sides and drinks that complement the meal. Light and fluffy basmati rice is perfect, offering a soft contrast to the rich dish. Creamy mashed potatoes also work well, bringing comfort to your plate.
For a healthier option, try steamed vegetables like broccolini or a fresh garden salad. These choices not only boost the meal’s nutrition but also add a fresh, lively touch.
Adding a glass of crisp Chardonnay makes the meal extra special. The wine’s acidity and fruitiness offer a perfect balance with the creamy sauce. It makes for a satisfying and well-rounded dining experience.
- Light, fluffy basmati rice
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Steamed vegetables like broccolini
- Fresh garden salad
- A glass of crisp Chardonnay
Health Benefits of Tarragon
Adding tarragon to your meals not only makes them tastier but also offers many health perks. Let’s explore the benefits of tarragon and its impact on your health.
Tarragon is full of nutrients that are good for you. A small amount, like a tablespoon (1.8 grams) of dried tarragon leaves, includes:
- Calories: 5
- Carbs: 1 gram
- Manganese: 6% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Iron: 3% of the DV
- Potassium: 1% of the DV
These nutrients help in many ways, making tarragon valuable in both cooking and health care.
A study over 90 days with 24 people found that tarragon can lower blood sugar. It showed a decrease in total insulin secretion for those who took 1,000 mg of tarragon. Tarragon has also been used for pain relief in traditional medicine.
Tarragon essential oil can fight bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. Its antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties make tarragon great for health.
Tarragon’s use in the kitchen is also impressive. It can be added to eggs, chicken, sauces, fish, and veggies. This herb is so good at improving food taste that France calls it the “King of Herbs”.
Tarragon helps with digestion, appetite control, better sleep, and heart health. Adding it to meals, like tarragon chicken, boosts both taste and nutrition.
Let’s look at the difference between fresh and dried tarragon:
Criteria | Fresh Tarragon | Dried Tarragon |
---|---|---|
Storage | Refrigerator for about two weeks | Cool, dark place for up to a year |
Flavour | Delicate and preferred by chefs | Less delicate, still flavourful |
Nutritional Value | High in essential nutrients | Concentrated nutrients per tablespoon |
So, using tarragon in your cooking can improve the taste and nutritional quality of your food. This greatly supports your overall health.
Variations of Tarragon Chicken
Exploring variations of tarragon chicken offers many exciting recipes. These keep the essence of the original dish intact. A popular choice is using chicken breasts instead of thighs. This swap offers a leaner meal and cuts down on cooking time. Just cook the chicken breasts for about 5 minutes on each side. Then, let them simmer in the sauce for 10 more minutes. This way, the chicken stays tender and soaks up the tasty tarragon flavours.
Another exciting twist is to play with the sauce. You can mix double cream and a bit of Dijon or whole grain mustard. This combination makes the sauce richer and adds complexity. Adding mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes makes the meal richer. It also improves the look, flavour, and texture of the dish. These ingredients add a beautiful earthy and tangy twist to the classic recipe.
Looking for more tarragon chicken ideas? Try adding veggies like spinach or green beans. Stir-fry them quickly and add to your dish just before serving. This adds freshness and vitamins. If you can’t find fresh tarragon, use dried tarragon or even freeze-dried parsley. This way, you keep the aromatic flavour without losing the dish’s soul. These variations let you tailor your cooking. And they keep the beloved tarragon chicken taste we all enjoy.