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A large pan with golden browned chicken breast in a sauce with some fresh basil next to a bowl of courgette rouds and some herbs on a chopping board.
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5 from 5 votes

Creamy Tarragon Chicken

This tarragon chicken recipe includes tender chicken in a rich, creamy sauce. It’s a French-inspired dish that’s comforting and an easy weeknight meal.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: mains
Cuisine: French
Servings: 4
Calories: 503kcal
Cost: £2.08

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts (£4.70)
  • 4 courgettes, thinly sliced (£1.90)
  • 1 onion, finely diced (£0.15)
  • 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped (£0.39)
  • 300 ml single cream (£1.20/2)=(£0.60)
  • Fresh basil, torn to serve (£0.60)

Cupboard Essentials

  • Salt & Pepper
  • 2 tbsp rapeseed oil
  • 2 tsp white wine vinegar
  • 2 tsp dried tarragon
  • 400 ml chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp cornflour + 2 tbsp water

Instructions

Start by pounding the thickest part of the chicken breast to reduce the thickness. This will prevent dryness as it will reduce the cook time.

  • To a large stainless steel pan, add 1 tbsp of rapeseed oil and preheat the pan over a high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breast and season with salt and pepper. Leave to sear/cook for 4-5 minutes on one-side, or until you can flip the chicken without it sticking.
  • Meanwhile, in a separate pan fry the courgettes with a decent pinch of salt and pepper and 1 tbsp of rapeseed oil. Fry, stirring occasionally for around 8 minutes.
  • Rotate the chicken pieces and cook for 2 more minutes. Set aside (the chicken won’t be fully cooked yet). Deglaze the pan with a splash of stock and reduce the heat to medium/low. Add the onion with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • After 4 minutes of frying, add the garlic. Fry for a couple of minutes, then add the cream and tarragon. Once the cream is heated through, slowly pour the stock into the pan whilst stirring continuously.
  • Add the cornflour slurry and white wine vinegar into the pan and stir. Then add the seared chicken breast back into the pan and cook over a low/medium heat for 5 more minutes, or until the breast is fully cooked.
  • Remove from the heat and top with fresh basil to serve. Serve with a side of sauteed courgette and enjoy!

Notes

  • Pound out the chicken breast filletsensuring even thickness this will help reduce cooking time.
  • Prevent burning or curdling by adding the cream to the pan once the heat is reduced, ensuring a consistently creamy tarragon chicken.
  • Adjust the seasoning before adding chicken back into the sauce, ensuring optimal flavour by adding salt, pepper, or herbs to taste.

Nutrition

Calories: 503kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 51g | Fat: 27g