Chicken with Tarragon-Mustard Sauce
This easy tarragon chicken recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes and can be made in your pressure cooker! Perfect for busy weeknights!
Creating This Tarragon Chicken Breast Recipe
Pleasant Hill Grain was kind enough to ask me if I’d be interested in testing out one of the pressure cookers they sell. I hadn’t ever used one, but it’s something I’ve been wanting to learn about for a while so I jumped at the chance.
The model I received is the 5.0 L Duromatic Top Model. Along with the cooker, I received a copy of Pressure Cooking for Everyone. I have lots of recipes in this bookmarked to try. They all sound delicious and most are accompanied by beautiful photographs.
I’m embarrassed to say that the Kuhn Rikon Pressure Cooker was so simple to use that I couldn’t figure it out at first. I thought, “it has to be more complicated then that.” I couldn’t understand what I was supposed to do with the dial on top of the lid and how exactly to control the pressure of the cooker even though I had read the user manual thoroughly.
Inside the cooker are helpful 1/2 and 2/3 markings to guide you when filling the pot according to your recipe instructions. The lid locks on so easily and once you learn how to gauge the pressure you’ll feel silly for ever thinking it was ever difficult or confusing to use a pressure cooker. I am definitely not an expert on pressure cooking, but I have used my cooker several times now and it’s something I’m glad I know how to do, especially on busy nights.
Now, about the tarragon chicken recipe. This was so simple to put together. The chicken is so unbelievably tender, you’d think you’d slaved the day away on it and the sauce has tons of flavor!
Ingredients for Tarragon Chicken
It might look like a long list of ingredients and complicated instructions, but you can literally start dinner less than 30 minutes before dinner without much prep-time. Once you have the method of pressure cooking down, you’ll be even faster!
- Dried and fresh tarragon
- Salt and pepper
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Unsalted butter
- Shallots
- Mushrooms
- White wine
- Chicken stock
- Half and half
- Dijon mustard
- Cornstarch
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.
How to Make Dijon Tarragon Chicken
This chicken with tarragon cream sauce is so easy to make! Here are the basic steps for creating this recipe:
- Sprinkle the chicken with salt, pepper, and dried tarragon.
- Heat some oil in the pressure cooker over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown the chicken on both sides. Remove to a plate.
- Add the butter and shallots, followed by the mushrooms. Cook until softened.
- Pour in the wine, stock, and fresh tarragon. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- Return the chicken to the pressure cooker. Seal on the lid and cook on high high at high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Quick release and remove the chicken to a plate.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, mustard and half and half. Add to the pressure cooker (along with the remaining cooking liquid) and gently simmer until thickened.
- Pour the creamy tarragon sauce over the chicken and enjoy!
The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.
How to Store Tarragon Chicken Breasts
You can keep the Dijon tarragon chicken breasts in the fridge for up to five days. Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat gently in a skillet or in the microwave.
What to Serve with Tarragon Chicken
This chicken with tarragon cream sauce is so versatile and you can pair it with a number of sides. Some of my go-to’s are:
- Browned Butter Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
- Green Beans with Bacon & Mushrooms
- Garlic Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Honey Roasted Carrots with Balsamic
- Lemon Roasted Broccolini
Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.
Tips for Making This Tarragon Chicken Recipe
- I recommend using a dry white wine for this recipe, preferably one you’d actually drink. Wines labeled as “cooking wines” don’t always taste the best.
- Note that recipe calls for dried and fresh tarragon. You need a mixture of the two for the tarragon flavor to really shine.
- I prefer using boneless skinless chicken breasts for this recipe, but thighs would likely work as well. The cooking time may differ, but I can’t say for sure.
More Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes:
This Baked Honey Mustard Chicken features chicken tenderloins that are baked in a sweet and savory honey mustard sauce with sprigs of fresh rosemary.
In this Creamy Orange Almond Chicken and Rice, golden brown chicken breasts are smothered in a creamy orange almond sauce and served alongside an almond rice pilaf.
These Ground Chicken Lettuce Wraps are Asian-inspired and easy to make during the work week.
These Baked Chicken Taquitos are so easy to prepare, you’ll be amazed!
This Orange Marmalade Chicken is a sweet and spicy simple Asian-inspired chicken recipe for dinner.
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Dijon Tarragon Chicken
This easy tarragon chicken recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes and can be made in your pressure cooker! Perfect for busy weeknights!
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup chopped shallots
- 16 ounces sliced mushrooms
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 2 stems fresh tarragon
- 2 tablespoons half and half
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Sprinkle the dried tarragon, salt, and pepper all over the chicken.
- In a 5-7 quart pressure cooker, heat the oil over medium-high heat. In batches, cook the chicken turning once, until lightly browned on both sides, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.Remove any remaining oil.
- Add the butter and heat over medium heat. Add the shallots and stir until softened, about 1 minute.
- Add the mushrooms and saute about 1 minute.
- Pour in the wine and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits in the cooker. Stir in the stock and add the fresh tarragon.
- Return the chicken to the cooker. Lock the lid in place. Bring to high pressure over high heat. Adjust the heat to maintain the pressure.
- Cook for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and quick-release the pressure.
- Open the lid, tilting it away from you to block any escaping steam. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and cover with foil to keep warm. Discard fresh tarragon stems.
- Skim any fat from the surface of the cooking liquid. Bring to a boil, uncovered, over medium heat.
- In a small bowl, combine the half and half, mustard, and cornstarch. Whisk in the cornstarch mixture until completely dissolved. Cook until just thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Pour sauce over chicken, sprinkle with parsley, and serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 532Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 204mgSodium: 589mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 75g
GoodLifeEats.com offers recipe nutritional information as a courtesy. This provided information is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although GoodLifeEats.com makes every effort to provide accurate information, these figures are only estimates.
Kitty says
My Mom used a pressure cooker and I have been using the same one for 23 years of marriage. They are so helpful when u are short on time and want to prepare a tasty dish. Also great for cheap cuts of meat and u can make excellent vegetarian recipes. If u are afraid of them, get one of the Lorna Sass books: Cooking Under Pressure comes to mind. She also wrote one for Vegetarian Pressure Cooker.If you don't use a Pressure Cooker, u are missing out on one of the very best time savers for the kitchen. I highly recommend you give it a try. The new pressure cookers such as the one reviewed here are easy and safe to use. Thanks
FC88 says
Your post reminded me that I used to have a pressure cooker given by my mother-in-law and I was so afraid to use it. I must go find out where it is now. The chicken looks so delicious.
Amy from She Wears Many Hats says
It's been years since I used a pressure cooker. After a butter-beans-on-the-ceiling mishap I haven't pulled it out again. The other night we were watching Iron Chef and saw a new one being used and I thought we needed to give it another go. So glad you posted this recipe – it really looks delish.
Claire (Culinarygoddess.com) says
Looks great! I've never used a pressure cooker and have always wanted to try it
lorna sass says
Thrilled you're spreading the word about pressure cooking. Let me know if you'd like a review copy of any of my "pc" books and pls check out http://www.pressurecookingwithlornasass.wordpress.com which has lots of recipes. Happy cooking! Lorna
Stacy says
My boyfriend's mom gave me a pressure cooker and it scared me! Thanks for this recipe–I will finally give it a try!
tastyeatsathome says
I have never used a pressure cooker either, so I'd be right there with you, all confused on how to use it! And I'd be afraid of using it incorrectly and it exploding! 🙂 Looks delicious.
sarah @ syrupandhoney says
I've never used a pressure cooker before, so thanks for the review!
Amanda says
Beautifully photography… love the recipe… and wow! A pressure cooker! How fun!
MeetaK says
i do not use my pressure cooking half as much as i should usually to make dals or legumes dishes. this sounds awesome though! love tarragon and mustard!
Georgia Pellegrini says
Looks delicious. I bet the pressure makes the flavors meld together really well.
Cindy says
I would not be able to get by without my pressure cooker, I have worn out exactly 2 in 34 years of marriage and am on my 3rd one.
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
Looks amazing. I think my mom has a pressure cooker, but I have only ever seen her use it for canning. I'll have to give one a try. Perhaps that's a good use for the Williams-Sonoma gift cards I have from Christmas!
Jessica @ How Sweet says
I have never used a pressure cooker – this looks so delicious and moist!
Cristie says
I have been afraid of my pressure cooker, you've given me hope! The chicken looks wonderful.
Paula - bell'alimento says
I have been wanting to try out a pressure cooker as well! Looks delicious Katie!