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Creamy Tarragon Chicken: A Simple Weeknight Masterpiece
Youssef Hb

Creamy Tarragon Chicken

Experience a sophisticated yet simple skillet meal that elevates basic pantry staples into a restaurant-quality dish. This Creamy Tarragon Chicken features tender, perfectly seared poultry smothered in a rich, velvety mushroom sauce. Infused with the earthy depth of cremini mushrooms and the vibrant, anise-like notes of fresh tarragon, this recipe is a weeknight masterpiece that feels indulgent while being incredibly easy to prepare in one single pan.
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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 (boneless, skinless)
  • 1 tsp sea salt (divided)
  • 0.75 tsp sweet paprika
  • 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 12 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced thin
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 0.75 cup heavy cream (room temperature)
  • 2 tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Method
 

  1. Pat chicken tenders dry and season with 0.75 tsp salt, paprika, and black pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Sear chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through; remove from skillet and set aside.
  4. Add sliced mushrooms to the same skillet and sauté until browned and tender.
  5. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  6. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
  7. Reduce heat to medium-low and whisk in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard.
  8. Simmer the sauce for 3-5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  9. Return the chicken to the skillet to warm through.
  10. Stir in the fresh tarragon and adjust seasoning with the remaining 0.25 tsp salt if needed.

Notes

Ensure the heavy cream is at room temperature to prevent curdling when added to the warm sauce.
You can substitute olive oil with unsalted butter for a richer flavor profile.
Serve alongside roasted potatoes, crusty bread, or steamed green beans to soak up the creamy sauce.