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Creamy Tarragon Chicken: A Simple Weeknight Masterpiece
Youssef Hb

Creamy Tarragon Chicken

Elevate your weeknight dinner with this sophisticated yet simple one-pot meal. Tender chicken tenders are pan-seared and simmered in a luscious sauce featuring earth cremini mushrooms, aromatic garlic, and the bright, anise-like flavor of fresh tarragon. Developed to be a restaurant-quality feast in under thirty minutes, this dish balances deep, savory notes with a silky cream finish, making it a perfect, consistent, and satisfying meal for the whole family.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: DINNER
Cuisine: French-inspired
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs Chicken Tenders
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt (divided)
  • 0.75 tsp Sweet Paprika
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 12 oz Cremini Mushrooms, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 cup Low-sodium Chicken Broth
  • 0.75 cup Heavy Cream
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Tarragon, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp Dijon Mustard

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken tenders dry using paper towels to ensure a good sear.
  2. Season the chicken evenly with the paprika, black pepper, and 0.75 teaspoon of salt.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Sear the chicken tenders for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through, then remove from the pan.
  5. Add the sliced cremini mushrooms to the same skillet and sauté until browned and tender.
  6. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  7. Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up all the browned bits (fond) from the bottom.
  8. Simmer the liquid until reduced by about half.
  9. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard.
  10. Return the cooked chicken to the pan and let it simmer in the sauce for 2 minutes to reheat.
  11. Stir in the fresh chopped tarragon, taste, and adjust seasoning with the remaining salt if needed before serving.

Notes

Ensure the chicken is thoroughly patted dry to achieve the best sear. For a richer flavor, you may substitute olive oil with high-quality unsalted butter. Serve alongside mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or crusty bread to soak up the luxurious sauce.