Fragrant Tarragon Chicken Recipe: A Zesty French-Inspired Delight

The classic French tarragon chicken recipe brings a touch of elegance to your weeknight dinner routine.

Herbs dance gracefully across tender chicken, creating a symphony of flavors that transport you to a Parisian bistro.

Delicate tarragon leaves infuse the meat with a subtle, anise-like warmth that makes this dish truly special.

Rich cream sauce blankets each perfectly cooked piece of chicken, promising a luxurious dining experience.

The recipe balances simplicity with sophisticated taste, making it accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.

Fresh ingredients and a few smart techniques turn an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Serve this dish and watch as your dinner table comes alive with appreciative murmurs and empty plates.

How to Make Tarragon Chicken Step-by-Step

• Chicken Preparation

Grab fresh chicken breasts and get ready for a flavor adventure. Season the meat with a sprinkle of salt and a dash of pepper.

• Golden Searing

Heat olive oil in a skillet until it shimmers. Place the seasoned chicken in the pan, creating a beautiful golden crust that locks in all those delicious juices.

• Aromatic Foundation

Push the chicken to the side and welcome chopped onions and minced garlic into the pan. Let them dance and soften, releasing their fragrant magic.

• Wine and Herb Magic

Pour in a splash of white wine, letting it bubble and reduce. This is where the flavor starts to build. Add chicken stock and fresh tarragon, creating a rich, creamy sauce that will make your taste buds sing.

• Final Touch

Let the sauce simmer and thicken, coating the chicken in a luxurious blanket of flavor. When ready, plate your creation and sprinkle with a few extra tarragon leaves and a twist of black pepper for a restaurant-worthy finish.

Ideal Tips for Tarragon Chicken

• Replace tarragon with fresh thyme or dill for a completely different flavor profile that keeps the dish exciting and versatile.
• Use full-fat Greek yogurt instead of cream for a lighter, tangier sauce that still delivers rich, luxurious mouthfeel without heavy calories.
• Swap white wine with chicken broth or apple cider for non-alcoholic version, ensuring the dish remains delicious and adaptable for all dietary preferences.
• Pat chicken breasts dry before searing to achieve golden-brown crust, which locks in moisture and creates beautiful caramelization for maximum flavor development.
• Transform this recipe into a complete meal by adding sliced mushrooms or tender asparagus during the sautéing stage, creating a complete dinner with minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction.

Ways to Serve Tarragon Chicken at the Table

• Elegant Dinner Companion: Pair this creamy tarragon chicken with a light mixed green salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette for a balanced meal that highlights the dish's rich flavors.
• Comforting Side Kick: Serve over fluffy white rice or buttery mashed potatoes to soak up the luxurious tarragon cream sauce, creating a hearty and satisfying dinner plate.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the chicken's delicate herbal notes with a crisp chardonnay or a smooth pinot grigio, enhancing the meal's sophisticated flavor profile and elevating the dining experience.
• Rustic Presentation Tip: Garnish the plated chicken with extra fresh tarragon sprigs and a light sprinkle of cracked black pepper to add visual appeal and a burst of aromatic freshness.

Storing Tarragon Chicken Without Losing Flavor

• Smart Fridge Storage: Keep leftover tarragon chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Quick Reheat Trick: Gently warm chicken in a covered skillet with a splash of chicken stock to restore tenderness. Avoid microwave to prevent drying out the delicate meat.
• Freezer Friendly Option: Slice chicken and store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Separate sauce in another container to maintain best texture when thawing.
• Meal Prep Wisdom: Prepare extra chicken during cooking and portion into individual containers for easy lunch or dinner grab-and-go meals throughout the week. This strategy saves time and ensures delicious, ready-to-eat protein.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 523 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients You’ll Need for Tarragon Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender meat that forms the heart of the dish, choose fresh, plump breasts with minimal visible fat for the best texture and flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural taste, use freshly ground black pepper for a more vibrant flavor profile.

• Olive Oil: Provides a smooth cooking base and adds a subtle fruity undertone to the chicken.
• Onion, Garlic: Creates a deep, savory foundation that complements the delicate chicken, select firm onions and fresh garlic for maximum flavor intensity.
• Tarragon (Dried or Fresh): Brings a distinctive anise-like, slightly sweet herb flavor that defines the dish's character, fresh tarragon offers a brighter taste compared to dried.

• White Wine, Chicken Stock: Liquid base that creates depth and richness, white wine adds complexity while stock intensifies the savory notes.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers a luxurious, silky texture that binds the sauce and provides a smooth, indulgent finish.
• Fresh Tarragon (Garnish): Adds a final burst of fresh herbal brightness and visual appeal to the completed dish.

Tools That Help Cook Tarragon Chicken Right

• Large skillet: Essential for searing chicken and creating the sauce.
• Tongs: Perfect for flipping and handling chicken breasts safely.
• Cutting board: Needed for prepping ingredients and resting chicken.
• Sharp knife: Used for chopping onions, garlic, and fresh tarragon.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and scraping pan while cooking.
• Measuring cups: Helps accurately measure chicken stock and cream.

Succulent Tarragon Chicken Recipe

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4.9 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Delicate tarragon chicken showcases French culinary elegance with creamy herb-infused sauce. Herbs, tender poultry, and rich cream combine for an unforgettable dining experience you’ll savor to the last bite.

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Ingredients

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• 4 chicken breasts (about 175 g or 6.2 oz each)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 120 ml (½ cup) white wine (or extra chicken stock for no alcohol)
• 120 ml (½ cup) chicken stock
• 180 ml (¾ cup) heavy cream
• 1 small onion, peeled and finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon (or 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, chopped fine)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Fresh tarragon (torn into pieces, for serving)
• Black pepper (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Seasoning: Evenly coat chicken breasts with salt and black pepper, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
2. Searing: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling surface, and place chicken breasts to develop a rich golden-brown exterior, cooking 4-5 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
3. Aromatics: Lower heat and sauté finely chopped onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic, stirring quickly to prevent scorching and release intense flavors.
4. Deglazing: Pour white wine into the skillet, scraping caramelized remnants from the bottom, allowing liquid to reduce by half while incorporating depth of flavor.
5. Sauce Creation: Add chicken stock and dried tarragon, then blend heavy cream, simmering until the sauce thickens and achieves a silky consistency, approximately 5-6 minutes.
6. Finishing: Return chicken to the skillet, gently coating with the creamy tarragon sauce and warming through, then plate and garnish with fresh tarragon leaves and a sprinkle of coarse black pepper.

Notes

• Achieve Even Browning: Pat chicken dry with paper towels before seasoning to remove excess moisture, ensuring a perfect golden-brown crust.
• Master Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to precisely check chicken’s internal temperature, preventing overcooking and maintaining juiciness.
• Select Quality Wine: Choose a crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to enhance the sauce’s depth and complement the tarragon’s delicate flavor.
• Handle Cream Carefully: Reduce heat when adding cream and stir constantly to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, silky sauce consistency.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 523
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 398 mg
• Fat: 37 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 43 g
• Cholesterol: 157 mg