Saucy Tarragon Chicken
A flavorful chicken dish featuring a creamy tarragon sauce with tender vegetables, perfect for a sophisticated dinner or family meal with subtle herb notes and savory richness.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup flour ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 2 to 3 chicken breasts, boned, skinned, and halved ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups carrots, julienne strips ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon leaves ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 cup dry white wine ⓘ
- 3 small zucchini, sliced ⓘ
- 12 small mushrooms ⓘ
Instructions
- Mix flour, salt, paprika, and pepper, then coat the chicken breasts with the mixture.
- Heat butter until hot in a skillet.
- Cook chicken until light brown, about 5 minutes on each side.
- Add carrots, dried tarragon, salt, and white wine to the skillet.
- Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Add sliced zucchini and mushrooms to the skillet.
- Simmer for approximately 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the meat and vegetables from the skillet and keep warm.
- Stir 1 tablespoon of flour into water to make a slurry.
- Add the flour mixture to the skillet, boil, and stir for 1 minute to thicken.
- Serve the sauce over the cooked chicken and vegetables.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider marinating the chicken in white wine and tarragon for a couple of hours before cooking. If you don't have dried tarragon, fresh tarragon can be used instead, just double the amount. For a gluten-free version, substitute the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs beautifully with rice or a light salad for a complete meal. Consider serving with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. For a heartier option, serve with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables to complement the rich flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, or in the microwave, covered, at medium power to avoid overcooking the chicken.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Saucy Tarragon Chicken contains roughly 784 calories, with 30g protein, 92g carbohydrates, and 39g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (179% of the Daily Value), calcium (82% of the Daily Value), and potassium (68% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1838mg per serving (80% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other vegetables in this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to substitute or add vegetables such as bell peppers, green beans, or even spinach. Just adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure everything is cooked through but still vibrant.
What can I serve with Saucy Tarragon Chicken?
This dish goes well with a variety of sides. Consider serving it over rice, couscous, or quinoa. A fresh garden salad or steamed vegetables would also make excellent accompaniments, enhancing the meal's overall freshness.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Simply cook everything as directed, let it cool, and store in the fridge. When ready to serve, reheat gently on the stove, adding a splash of water or wine to loosen the sauce.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).