It can be difficult to determine what to serve at a dinner party, particularly the entree items. As a host, it's helpful to complete as much preparation in advance in order to enjoy time with guests during the get-together. This dish is easy to prepare, yet is rich and delicious. Lemon Tarragon Chicken is delicious served with baby red potatoes, but is wonderful over Jasmine Rice. Accompanied with fresh steamed green beans or asparagus, this dish is the star of the meal.
Using frozen chicken breasts makes this meal easy to prepare. Compare prices of fresh chicken to the frozen type typically found in a 2.5 - 3 lb bag. If using frozen chicken breasts, make sure that the meat is thawed prior to beginning this dish.
Butter always adds that rich and genuine flavor, as opposed to margarine. Dried tarragon is recommended vs. fresh. Fresh tarragon is quite subtle and this dish benefits from intense flavor delivered by the dried variety. Dried tarragon is found in the grocery spice section. Tarragon is also a very delicious addition to spaghetti sauce.
LEMON TARRAGON CHICKEN
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Ingredients:
- 1 - 2.5 - 3lb package of boneless/skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
- 2 - fresh lemons, 1 sliced in half; 1 very thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 cup milk
- 1 - 16 oz sour cream
- 1 - stick of butter
- 1/4 c dried tarragon
- sea salt to taste
- pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
Directions:
- Put 1 tbsp. vegetable oil in a large non-stick skillet to preheat. Place the chicken breasts in the oil; cover. Over medium heat, cook chicken breasts in covered skillet, cooking 5-7 minutes per side and turning once. Remove from pan to a 9x13" baking pan.
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with milk.
- Whisk in sour cream and heat until bubbly, stirring constantly. Add tarragon, the juice of the halved lemon, salt and pepper.
- In a measuring cup, add 1/2 cup water to 3 tablespoons cornstarch, and stir until smooth.
- Add slowly to sour cream mixture, whisking until sauce is thickened and bubbly.
- Remove from heat and pour sauce over chicken breasts.
- Top with lemon slices; generously sprinkle additional tarragon over all. Place in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes. Serve immediately with jasmine rice. Pass extra sauce.
PERFECT JASMINE RICE
- 4 cups of fragrant jasmine rice
- 6 cups of hot water
Directions:
- Measure the rice into a medium or large glass mixing bowl. Add the hot water. Cover with either a fitted glass cover or TIGHTLY with plastic wrap.
- Place in microwave; cook for 12 minutes. Let rice rest covered for 15 minutes.
- Serve with entree of choice.
