Gina: This dish is a Southerner’s take on the classic French style sauté of chicken, shallots, cream, and tarragon a killer combination of flavors. Give this recipe to anyone who claims they don’t have time to make dinner, because it comes together in minutes, and the results are just as good as or better than anything you can order at a restaurant. I like to serve this dish with white rice to soak up the cream sauce, some steamed green beans with butter, and a crisp white wine. I remember complaining about being served chicken when I was a little girl, and my mother telling me, “Chicken is the house steak.” She was right! My mother could work a chicken over, from grilling, boiling, frying, baking, and so on she served it so many ways that I thought she was a magician. Well, you know the old adage that you become your mother? Spenser asked me the same question the other night (“Chicken again?”), and I couldn’t do anything but respond, “Chicken is the house steak.” We both laughed, and all those memories came flooding back to me. I loved it!
Recipe information
Yield
serves 6
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Rinse the chicken, pat dry with paper towels, and season with salt and pepper. Place the flour in a pie tin and dredge the chicken breasts lightly in the flour, shaking off any excess. Discard leftover flour.
Step 2
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over mediumhigh heat. Sauté the chicken, turning once, until nicely browned on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Add 1/2 cup of the stock, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. (Check to make sure the pan juices don’t run dry. If necessary, add a bit of stock to prevent scorching.) Transfer the chicken to a plate, and tent with foil.
Step 3
Add the shallots to the skillet, and cook, stirring, until softened. Add the wine, bring to a boil, and cook until reduced to about 1/4 cup, 2 to 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, then whisk in the cream, lemon juice, and mustard, and simmer until the sauce coats a spoon, 1 to 2 minutes.
Step 4
Return the chicken to the pan along with the minced tarragon. Turn to coat with the sauce, and cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve the chicken over rice, drizzling the remaining sauce over the top. Garnish with sprigs of tarragon.
