Chicken with Tarragon

Romanian Chicken with Tarragon Recipe

Region / culture: Romania | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 1 hour | Servings: 4

Introduction

Chicken with Tarragon is a classic French dish that combines the rich flavors of chicken with the aromatic herb tarragon. This dish is perfect for a cozy dinner at home or for entertaining guests.

History

The use of tarragon in cooking can be traced back to ancient times, with references to the herb in Greek and Roman texts. Tarragon was popular in French cuisine during the Middle Ages and has remained a staple in French cooking ever since. Chicken with Tarragon is a traditional French dish that showcases the herb's unique flavor.

Ingredients

1 medium chicken
1 tbsp lard
1 onion
4 – 5 tomatoes
0.5 tsp flour
tarragon
salt

How to prepare

Fry the chicken pieces in lard until they turn yellow.
Add the finely chopped onion and flour.
When the onion starts to turn yellow, add 3 – 4 tbsp of water, juice from 4 – 5 tomatoes, salt, and tarragon.
The quantity of tarragon is based on personal preference.
Cover and simmer.
When the meat is almost done, transfer it to the oven and bake for 15 – 20 minutes.
You may prepare this with raw onion.
In this case, add it with the water.

Variations

You can add mushrooms or bell peppers to the dish for added flavor and texture.
Substitute chicken thighs or drumsticks for a different cut of meat.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to brown the chicken pieces before adding the other ingredients to enhance the flavor of the dish.

- Adjust the amount of tarragon to suit your personal taste preferences.

- For a richer sauce, you can add a splash of white wine or chicken broth.

- Serve the dish with crusty bread or over rice to soak up the delicious sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Chicken with Tarragon with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad.

Cooking Techniques

Browning the chicken before simmering ensures a flavorful and tender dish.

- Baking the chicken in the oven at the end of cooking helps to finish the dish and meld the flavors together.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use butter or olive oil instead of lard for frying the chicken.

- Fresh or dried tarragon can be used in this recipe.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the dish up to a day in advance and reheat it before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the dish with fresh tarragon leaves for a pop of color and flavor.

Pairing Recommendations

Serve Chicken with Tarragon with a crisp white wine, such as a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

250 per serving

Carbohydrates

5g per serving

Fats

12g per serving

Proteins

25g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

This dish is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Alergens

This recipe contains gluten from the flour used to thicken the sauce.

Summary

Chicken with Tarragon is a nutritious dish that provides a good balance of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Chicken with Tarragon is a delicious and comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy night in or for entertaining guests. With its rich flavors and aromatic herbs, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your recipe repertoire.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of wonder I felt when I first saw this recipe for Chicken with Tarragon. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in a small village nestled in the mountains of France. My mother had invited a new neighbor over for dinner, and she brought along this delicious dish that left everyone in awe.

The aroma of the tarragon wafted through our humble kitchen, filling the air with a fragrant and savory scent that I had never experienced before. The tender chicken was perfectly cooked, with a rich and creamy sauce that had a hint of tanginess from the white wine. It was a dish unlike anything I had ever tasted, and I knew from that moment on that I had to learn how to make it myself.

I approached our guest, a kind and elderly woman named Madame Claire, and asked her where she had learned to make such an exquisite meal. She smiled warmly at me and told me that the recipe had been passed down through her family for generations, originating from her great-grandmother who was a renowned chef in Paris.

I was mesmerized by her stories of her family's culinary traditions and the secrets behind their prized recipes. Madame Claire noticed my keen interest and offered to teach me how to make Chicken with Tarragon herself. Over the course of the next few weeks, she came to our home and patiently guided me through each step of the recipe, sharing her knowledge and expertise with me.

I learned that tarragon was a herb that was commonly used in French cuisine, known for its unique flavor that added a touch of elegance to any dish. Madame Claire showed me how to properly season the chicken with salt and pepper, and then sear it in a hot skillet until it was golden brown on all sides.

She then demonstrated how to make the creamy sauce by deglazing the pan with white wine, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom. She added a dollop of Dijon mustard for a subtle kick of spice, and then stirred in a generous amount of fresh tarragon leaves, chopped finely to release their fragrant oils.

As the sauce simmered and thickened, the kitchen was filled with the tantalizing scent of the herbs mingling with the wine and mustard. Madame Claire taught me the importance of patience and attention to detail in cooking, stressing the need to taste and adjust the seasoning throughout the process to ensure a perfectly balanced flavor.

Finally, as she plated the Chicken with Tarragon and garnished it with a sprig of fresh tarragon, I felt a sense of accomplishment and pride in creating such a beautiful and delicious dish. Madame Claire praised my efforts and encouraged me to continue honing my culinary skills, promising to share more of her family's treasured recipes with me in the future.

From that day on, Chicken with Tarragon became a staple in our household, a dish that I would often prepare for special occasions and family gatherings. Each time I made it, I would think back to the lessons I had learned from Madame Claire and the joy of discovering a new and exciting recipe that had become a part of my own culinary repertoire.

As the years passed and I grew older, I continued to experiment with different variations of the dish, adding my own personal touches and twists to make it uniquely mine. But no matter how many times I cooked Chicken with Tarragon, it always brought me back to that moment of wonder and fascination when I first laid eyes on the recipe that had sparked my passion for cooking.

Now, as I pass down the recipe to my own grandchildren, I hope that they too will feel the same sense of awe and inspiration that I did when I first learned to make Chicken with Tarragon. For in the kitchen, as in life, there is always something new to discover and savor, a world of flavors and traditions waiting to be explored and shared with those we hold dear. And so, the legacy of this timeless recipe lives on, a testament to the power of food to bring joy and connection to all who taste its delicious and unforgettable flavors.