The Tarragon Chicken recipe is a classic in British cuisine, known for its rich flavours and creamy texture.
It blends tarragon’s delicate taste with chicken breasts. This mix creates a comforting and delicious creamy tarragon chicken dish.
This beloved recipe is not just tasty. It also takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. It’s perfect for a quick weekday dinner. Plus, it’s nutritious, offering plenty of protein and essential vitamins.
Exploring this creamy tarragon chicken recipe reveals its simplicity. You’ll see how flexible it is with ingredients and cooking methods. Every time, it promises a delightful meal.
Introduction to Tarragon Chicken
Tarragon chicken, a classic dish in British cuisine, offers a unique mix of tastes. Its rich, creamy sauce and the distinct flavour of tarragon make it special. Tarragon is a key herb that brings a subtle, standout taste. This dish shows the elegance of British cooking, blending simple parts with skilled methods for a memorable meal.
Our recipe for tarragon chicken uses chicken breast fillets for a tender bite. We suggest fresh tarragon for the best taste, using two tablespoons to enrich the creamy sauce. The sauce uses single cream for a luxurious feel that’s still light, making the dish’s flavours shine.
Key Ingredients | Measurement |
---|---|
Chicken breasts | 4 cutlets from 2 large breasts |
Fresh tarragon | 2 tablespoons |
Single cream | 1 cup |
White wine | 1/2 cup |
Courgettes | 2, sliced |
Onion | 1, diced |
Garlic | 2 cloves, minced |
Rapeseed oil | 2 tablespoons |
The reason tarragon chicken is loved in British cuisine goes beyond its taste. It’s also easy to make, with just 30 minutes needed for preparation. It’s perfect for both everyday dinners and special occasions. Each serving is balanced, containing 389 kcal, 6g of carbs, 26g of protein, and 26g of fat. This dish is a fine example of British dining at its best.
Ingredients for Classic Tarragon Chicken Recipe
To create a delicious chicken with tarragon dish, you’ll need the best ingredients and measurements. This guide will help you gather all you need to cook something wonderful. Get ready to make your kitchen smell amazing!
First, take 2 large chicken breasts and slice them in half lengthwise. This makes the base of our dish. Next, season the chicken with ½ teaspoon of Maldon sea salt flakes or ¼ teaspoon of fine salt.
To get the flavours just right, you’ll need:
- 2 teaspoons of garlic-infused olive oil
- 2 fat or 4 skinny spring onions, finely sliced
- ½ teaspoon of freeze-dried tarragon
- 80 millilitres of vermouth or white wine—pinot grigio is best
- 60 millilitres of double cream
- Freshly ground white pepper, to your liking
- 2 teaspoons of fresh tarragon, chopped, with extra for sprinkling
Make sure you have these tools chicken in tarragon sauce ready: measuring cups and spoons, a big skillet, a wooden spoon, and a small bowl. They’ll help make your cooking easier.
This recipe is tasty and good for you. Here are the nutritional facts per portion:
- Calories: 389 kcal
- Protein: 26g
- Fat: 26g (13g of which is saturated)
- Cholesterol: 129mg
- Sodium: 210mg
- Potassium: 539mg
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fibre: 0.3g
- Sugar: 1g
- Vitamin A: 807IU
- Vitamin C: 2mg
- Calcium: 52mg
- Iron: 1mg
This tarragon chicken recipe serves two. It’s sure to be a standout dish in your collection. Enjoy your meal!
Step-by-Step Preparation
In this section, we will detail how to cook tarragon chicken by following our classic tarragon chicken recipe. This guide aims for a flavourful and textured dish. It helps beginners feel like experts.
First, we’ll gather the needed items:
- 4-5 pounds chicken, preferably free-range or organic
- 3/4 cup (180ml) heavy/double cream
- 3/4 cup (180ml) chicken stock
- 1/4 cup (60ml) white wine
- 1/4 cup (20g) Parmesan
- 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon, with a little extra to finish
- Lemon juice and zest
Begin by adding salt and pepper to the chicken. Heat a 12″ cast iron skillet on medium-high. Combine butter and oil in the pan. Once the butter melts, brown the chicken for 4-5 minutes each side.
After browning, take the chicken out of the skillet. Add white wine to the same skillet to deglaze it. Scraping the brown bits adds flavour. Let the wine reduce by half. Then, pour in chicken stock and heavy cream. Mix well and add tarragon and Parmesan.
Place the chicken back in, covering it with sauce. Put the skillet in an oven at 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It should roast for 40-60 minutes. Check that the chicken’s inside reaches 162 degrees Fahrenheit. Halfway through, baste the chicken to keep it moist.
Once cooked, let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Add some lemon juice and extra tarragon on top. Enjoy this creamy tarragon chicken recipe.
With our how to cook tarragon chicken guide, you’ll impress all with this classic British meal. Happy cooking!
Cooking Tips for the Best Tarragon Chicken
Are you looking to make amazing creamy tarragon chicken? We’ve got the top tips to help you succeed. Let’s explore how to make your tarragon chicken unbeatable.
Start by flattening your chicken breasts to about 1/4-inch thick. This helps cook them evenly and keeps them tender. Don’t forget to season well with salt before cooking to boost the flavour.
Use a 14-inch skillet and heat it on medium-high. Canola oil is great because it can handle the heat. Fry the chicken for 2 minutes on each side to get a perfect golden-brown sear. This step helps keep the chicken juicy and gives it a great colour.
The secret to outstanding creamy tarragon chicken lies in the pan sauce. Start with unsalted butter and minced shallot. Then, add dry white wine and chicken stock. Deglaze the skillet with these to meld the flavours. If you want more sauce, simply increase the amount of shallot, wine, and stock.
Fresh tarragon leaves make a big difference in flavour. If you can, always choose fresh over dried. Add the chopped tarragon towards the end to keep its aroma and taste strong.
Bake your seared chicken at 200F for about 10 minutes. This hits the ideal internal temperature of 70°C for 2 minutes, making it safe to eat and wonderfully succulent. This step ensures your tarragon chicken is creamy and delicious.
By following these expert tips, you’ll see a big improvement in your cooking. Enjoy creating creamy tarragon chicken at home. With the right frying and seasoning techniques, you’ll turn it into a standout dish.
Serving Suggestions for Tarragon Chicken
Looking for ways to make your tarragon chicken meal even better? We’ve got some great tips for you. Pair your chicken with tasty side dishes and drinks to enhance its flavours. Here’s how to bring out the best in your meal.
First, let’s talk about the recipe details:
- Serving size: 4 portions
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Cooking time: 30 minutes
- Total calories per serving: 632 kcal
- Nutritional breakdown per serving: carbohydrates 29g, protein 30g, fat 46g, sodium 231mg, fibre 4g, sugar 6g, vitamin C 42mg.
- Rating: 4.9 stars out of 5 from 47 reviews.
For the best side dishes, try tarragon chicken with rice and veggies. Oven-roasted tomatoes, sugar snaps, green beans, and broccoli are perfect. They add flavours, textures, and balance the meal’s calories.
For calorie watchers, start with a lot of veggies. It lets you enjoy the delicious chicken without too many calories.
A crisp white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc or a Chardonnay, complements the dish well. It matches the tarragon and creamy sauce perfectly.
Add fresh tarragon leaves for decoration. Their bright green adds beauty and a fresh taste to your meal.
Finish with cracked black pepper and sea salt to highlight the chicken’s flavours. This makes every bite even more enjoyable.
With these tips, your tarragon chicken meal will look and taste fantastic.
Variations of Tarragon Chicken
Exploring different tarragon chicken variations lets us adjust a classic British meal to our liking. It takes into account both personal taste and what ingredients we have. Here are some ideas to change up the typical chicken tarragon recipe.
Adding mushrooms is a well-liked twist. When sautéed until golden, mushrooms add a wonderful earthy taste. For best results, fry them for 4 minutes on one side, then 2 minutes on the other.
If you don’t have tarragon, parsley is a great stand-in. It keeps the dish’s green color and adds a new, aromatic dimension.
Using a variety of creams can also spice up the recipe. Mixing coconut milk with double cream creates a lush and silky sauce. For the coconut milk, go for brands like Arroy D, Savoy, or Thrive Market’s option, which should have at least 70% coconut cream. Simmering the sauce for 4 minutes will make it thick and tasty.
Adding Dijon mustard brings a sharp tang that complements the creaminess well. Just a large spoonful will do, giving the dish a zesty flavor without overshadowing the tarragon.
For those avoiding gluten or grains, tapioca starch is an excellent alternative. It’s perfect for coating the chicken, giving it a crispy chicken and tarragon outer layer once cooked.
Variation | Ingredients | Cooking Notes |
---|---|---|
Classic Mushroom Tarragon Chicken | 8 ounces mushrooms, 2 chicken breasts, 14 ounces coconut milk | Cook mushrooms 4 minutes one side, 2 minutes other; mix into sauce |
Parsley Substitute | 1 tablespoon fresh parsley | Use parsley in place of tarragon |
Rich Coconut Cream | 14 ounces coconut milk, 250ml double cream | Adjust reduction time to ensure thick sauce |
Dijon Mustard Twist | 1 large heaped tablespoon Dijon mustard | Add mustard to cream sauce for extra sharpness |
Gluten-Free Tapioca | ½ cup tapioca starch | Use tapioca starch for dredging chicken breasts |
Tarragon chicken’s adaptability makes it a hit with home chefs. By trying out these tarragon chicken variations, we keep finding delicious and diverse ways to enjoy it. This helps meet various diet needs while keeping meals exciting.
Storing and Reheating Tarragon Chicken
To keep tarragon chicken tasty, cool it first, then put it in an airtight container. It’s best kept in the fridge for 3-4 days. Since it has dairy, freezing might ruin the sauce’s texture and taste.
To warm up tarragon chicken, the oven or microwave works well. In the oven, heat it at 400°F covered with foil for about 15 minutes. It should reach 165°F inside. Or, microwave it briefly, checking every 30 seconds. Warm the sauce in a skillet on low heat to keep it smooth.
These steps keep your tarragon chicken delicious. Store the sauce and chicken separately in the fridge for easier reheating. This keeps the chicken tender and the sauce creamy.