The Best Creamy French Chicken Tarragon Recipe Ever Made

Nestled in the heart of french cuisine, this creamy chicken tarragon offers a delightful culinary adventure.

Fragrant herbs dance with tender poultry in a velvety sauce that whispers classic elegance.

Delicate tarragon leaves impart a subtle anise-like essence, transforming ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Succulent chicken pieces bathe in rich cream, creating a harmonious blend of rustic and refined flavors.

Each forkful promises a journey through traditional cooking techniques that feel both comforting and sophisticated.

Simple yet impressive, this dish speaks to home cooks seeking an effortless yet stunning meal.

You’ll fall in love with how easily these ingredients come together to create something truly memorable.

Grab a skillet and let magic unfold in your kitchen tonight!

What Makes Creamy French Chicken Tarragon a Must-Try

• Master Culinary Skills: Perfect for home cooks wanting to elevate their cooking game with a sophisticated French-inspired dish that looks and tastes professionally prepared.
• Quick Restaurant-Quality Dinner: Transforms ordinary chicken into a luxurious meal in under 30 minutes, delivering gourmet flavors without complex techniques or extensive ingredients.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Combines creamy, herbal tarragon sauce with tender chicken, creating a universally appealing dish that satisfies both adults and picky eaters with its rich, comforting profile.
• Single-Skillet Simplicity: Minimizes kitchen cleanup by using one pan for cooking chicken and preparing the decadent sauce, making it an ideal weeknight dinner solution for busy home cooks.

Ingredients for Creamy French Chicken Tarragon

• Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender protein that serves as the centerpiece of this classic French dish.

• Olive Oil, Butter: These fats provide rich flavor and help create a golden brown exterior on the chicken.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic: These classic seasonings enhance the natural flavors of the chicken and create a robust taste profile.

• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the sauce and create a smooth, velvety texture.
• White Wine, Chicken Broth: These liquids add depth and complexity to the sauce's flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Provides a luxurious, rich base for the tarragon cream sauce.
• Fresh Tarragon: A classic French herb that brings a delicate, slightly sweet, and anise-like flavor to the dish.

• Fresh Tarragon: Additional herbs for a bright, aromatic finishing touch.

How to Cook Creamy Chicken Tarragon Step-by-Step

Step 1: Prepare Chicken

Grab your chicken breasts and use paper towels to dry them thoroughly. This helps create a beautiful golden sear when cooking.

Step 2: Season Generously

Sprinkle salt, pepper, and finely chopped garlic all over the chicken. Make sure every inch gets some love from the seasonings.

Step 3: Heat Up the Skillet

Place a large skillet on the stove and pour in olive oil. Crank the heat to medium-high and wait until the oil looks shiny and hot.

Step 4: Sear Chicken to Perfection

Gently place the seasoned chicken into the sizzling skillet. Cook each side for 5-6 minutes until you see a gorgeous golden-brown crust. Check that the internal temperature hits 165°F to ensure it’s fully cooked.

Step 5: Rest the Chicken

Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate and cover loosely with foil to keep it warm and juicy.

Step 6: Create a Flavor Base

Lower the skillet’s heat to medium. Melt butter and use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.

Step 7: Make a Smooth Roux

Sprinkle flour into the melted butter. Whisk like crazy for 1-2 minutes to create a silky smooth mixture without letting it brown.

Step 8: Build the Sauce Foundation

Slowly pour in white wine and chicken broth. Keep whisking to prevent any lumps from forming. You want a super smooth sauce.

Step 9: Add Creamy Richness

Stir in heavy cream and freshly chopped tarragon. Let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens and becomes gloriously glossy.

Step 10: Reunite Chicken and Sauce

Carefully place the chicken back into the skillet. Spoon the tarragon cream sauce over each piece, making sure they’re completely coated.

Step 11: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the chicken immediately. Drizzle extra sauce over the top and sprinkle some additional fresh tarragon for a burst of herbal flavor.

Tips for Rich and Creamy Chicken Tarragon

• Master the Perfect Sear: Ensure chicken breasts are completely dry before cooking to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
• Prevent Lumpy Sauce: Whisk flour into melted butter slowly and continuously, creating a smooth roux that guarantees a silky, lump-free cream sauce every time.
• Boost Herb Intensity: Chop fresh tarragon just before adding to the sauce to maximize its aromatic oils and enhance the dish's delicate French-inspired flavor profile.
• Control Heat Precision: Use medium-high heat for searing chicken and reduce to medium when creating the sauce to prevent burning and maintain optimal sauce consistency.
• Elevate Serving Style: Spoon extra tarragon cream sauce generously over the chicken and sprinkle fresh herb garnish to create a restaurant-quality presentation that impresses guests.

Tasty Variations on French Chicken Tarragon

• Herb Garden Fusion: Replace tarragon with a blend of fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley for a more complex herbal profile.
• Mediterranean Escape: Swap white wine with dry vermouth and add sun-dried tomatoes and kalamata olives to the cream sauce for a Greek-inspired version.
• Mushroom Lover's Dream: Sauté sliced cremini or wild mushrooms in the skillet before creating the sauce, adding earthy depth and extra texture to the dish.
• Spicy Southern Kick: Incorporate a pinch of cayenne pepper and smoked paprika into the seasoning, then finish the sauce with a splash of bourbon for a bold, smoky flavor.

What to Serve with Creamy Chicken Tarragon

• Perfectly Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to complement the creamy tarragon sauce, cutting through its richness while enhancing the delicate herbal notes.
• Serve Alongside Buttery Roasted Vegetables: Prepare roasted asparagus or baby potatoes with fresh herbs to match the chicken's elegant flavor profile and provide a textural contrast.
• Create a Light Arugula Salad: Toss peppery arugula with lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan to balance the creamy sauce and add a fresh, zesty element to the meal.
• Match with Crusty French Bread: Select a rustic baguette to soak up the luxurious tarragon cream sauce, offering a traditional French dining experience and additional texture.

Best Way to Store Creamy Chicken Tarragon

• Transfer leftover chicken and sauce to an airtight container, ensuring a tight seal to preserve freshness. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days, keeping the dish away from strong-smelling foods.
• Cool chicken completely before placing in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Store frozen for 2-3 months, maintaining optimal flavor and texture.
• Gently warm refrigerated chicken in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir occasionally and heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F, protecting the delicate cream sauce's consistency.
• When reheating, warm slowly and stir frequently.

Chicken Tarragon FAQs You’ll Want to Read

• Why is patting the chicken dry important?

Drying chicken removes excess moisture, which helps achieve a perfect golden-brown sear and prevents steaming instead of browning, creating a deliciously crispy exterior.

• What makes tarragon special in this recipe?

Tarragon brings a unique, delicate anise-like flavor that beautifully complements chicken, adding a sophisticated French herb taste to the creamy sauce.

• How do I know when the chicken is perfectly cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the chicken is fully cooked while remaining juicy and tender.

• Can I substitute the white wine?

If you prefer, you can use additional chicken broth or a splash of dry vermouth as an alternative to white wine, maintaining the sauce’s rich flavor profile.

Creamy French Chicken Tarragon Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Culinary magic unfolds with French Chicken Tarragon, blending delicate herbs and velvety sauce into a sublime French countryside classic. Delightful white wine and tender chicken create an elegant dining experience you’ll savor with pure Parisian pleasure.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

Herbs and Seasonings:

• 2 tbsp fresh tarragon
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic

Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Pat chicken breasts thoroughly dry using paper towels to ensure optimal searing and browning.
2. Season chicken generously with salt, pepper, and finely minced garlic, ensuring even coating on all surfaces.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and almost smoking.
4. Carefully place seasoned chicken breasts into hot skillet, cooking for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. Remove chicken and set aside, tenting with foil to maintain warmth.
6. Reduce heat to medium and melt butter in the same skillet, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from chicken.
7. Sprinkle flour into melted butter, whisking continuously to create a smooth roux for 1-2 minutes without browning.
8. Slowly pour white wine and chicken broth into roux, stirring constantly to prevent lumps and create a silky base.
9. Add heavy cream and fresh chopped tarragon, simmering sauce for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened and glossy.
10. Return chicken to skillet, gently coating each piece with the luxurious tarragon cream sauce.
11. Serve immediately, spooning extra sauce over chicken and garnishing with additional fresh tarragon if desired.

Notes

• Pat chicken breasts completely dry to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that seals in moisture and flavor.
• Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches safe internal temperature without overcooking, ensuring tender and juicy results.
• Fresh tarragon makes a significant difference compared to dried herbs, providing a brighter, more nuanced aromatic profile in the sauce.
• Experiment with protein alternatives like turkey breast or thick-cut pork chops for versatile meal options that maintain the recipe’s classic French cream sauce technique.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 563
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 630 mg
• Fat: 44 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg