This, to me, is the essence of French home cooking: a simple sauté and flavorful pan sauce made with vinegar, mustard, and tarragon (the quintessential French herb). If you can’t find fresh tarragon, you can use tarragon vinegar instead and finish the dish with chives, but it’s just better with fresh tarragon. For the best results be sure to use a flavorful Chicken Stock (p. 206). If yours tastes a little weak, start with two cups instead of one (as called for below) and let it reduce longer to concentrate the flavor.
Recipe information
Yield
makes 4 servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 325°F.
Step 2
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and when it is almost smoking, add the chicken breasts, skin side down. Lower the heat to medium and cook the breasts 6–7 minutes, then turn them (they should have an even, golden brown color) and continue cooking for about 5 more minutes. Rotate the skillet if the heat on your burner is uneven, so that you don’t get any dark or burned spots, and reduce the heat if the chicken seems to be browning too quickly. When the chicken is cooked, remove it to a platter and keep warm in the oven (don’t cover). Pour the excess grease from the pan and deglaze with the stock and vinegar, whisking to scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Let the liquid bubble briskly in the pan, whisking, until it’s reduced to about 1/2 cup, then whisk in the butter, mustard, and tarragon.
Step 3
The sauce should have a slightly creamy consistency If it’s too acidic, whisk in a little more butter or stock. Remove it from the heat and spoon over the warm chicken breasts. Sprinkle with chives, if desired.
