Creamy Mustard Tarragon Chicken Recipe

Sizzling Creamy Mustard Tarragon Chicken Recipe for Dinner Joy

Creamy mustard tarragon chicken promises a culinary adventure that awakens your taste buds with its sophisticated blend of flavors.

Smooth, tangy notes dance alongside delicate herbal undertones, creating a harmonious dish that feels both elegant and comforting.

French-inspired cuisine meets modern home cooking in this delightful recipe that celebrates simple yet remarkable ingredients.

mustard brings a zesty complexity while tarragon introduces an aromatic whisper of anise-like freshness.

Rich, velvety sauce envelops tender chicken in a luxurious embrace that signals gourmet dining without complicated techniques.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sharp and mellow sensations that will transport you to a charming countryside kitchen.

Your dinner table awaits this remarkable culinary experience that turns an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Mustard Tarragon Chicken FAQs

  • How long does it take to cook the chicken?

The chicken takes about 10-12 minutes to cook fully in the skillet, ensuring it’s golden brown and cooked through.

  • Can I substitute fresh tarragon for dried tarragon?

Yes, you can use fresh tarragon. Just use about 3 times more fresh herbs compared to dried, as fresh herbs have a milder flavor.

  • What's the best way to know if my chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s safe to eat.

  • Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare the chicken and sauce separately and reheat gently before serving, but the sauce is best when freshly made to maintain its creamy texture.

Creamy Mustard Chicken with Fresh Tarragon

  • The Dijon mustard and tarragon create a bold, sophisticated sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into a gourmet experience with its vibrant, zesty profile.
  • This recipe delivers restaurant-quality meal in just 20 minutes, making it perfect for busy home cooks who want delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • The velvety sauce coats tender chicken with a luxurious texture, offering a comforting yet refined dish that feels both indulgent and simple.
  • The straightforward method allows home chefs to adjust seasonings or swap ingredients, making it adaptable for different taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients for Mustard Tarragon Chicken

Main Protein:
  • Chicken Fillets: Lean protein that forms the base of the dish, best when fresh and of high quality.
Cooking Fats and Liquids:
  • Olive Oil: Provides a smooth cooking surface and adds a subtle flavor base.
  • Chicken Broth: Helps deglaze the pan and adds depth to the sauce.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates a rich, luxurious sauce texture and adds smooth creaminess.
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Salt, Pepper: Classic seasoning to enhance the chicken's natural taste.
  • Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy, sharp flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
  • Dried Tarragon: Provides a delicate, slightly sweet herb note typical in French cuisine, can substitute with fresh tarragon for more intense flavor.

Steps to Make Creamy Chicken with Mustard

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Surface

  • Large skillet
  • Olive oil

Heat the skillet over medium-high temperature and pour olive oil, allowing it to spread evenly across the pan’s surface. The oil will create a perfect golden base for cooking.

Step 2: Season the Protein

  • Chicken fillets
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Generously sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the chicken fillets, ensuring each piece receives a balanced seasoning for maximum flavor enhancement.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Carefully place the seasoned chicken fillets into the hot skillet. Cook each side until golden brown and completely done, approximately 10-12 minutes. The chicken should have a beautiful caramelized exterior and be fully cooked through. Transfer the cooked fillets to a warm plate.

Step 4: Create Flavor Foundation

  • Chicken broth

Pour chicken broth into the same skillet, using a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom. These bits contain concentrated flavor that will enrich the sauce.

Step 5: Craft the Creamy Sauce

  • Heavy cream
  • Dijon mustard
  • Dried tarragon
Whisk together the following ingredients directly in the skillet:
  • Heavy cream
  • Dijon mustard
  • Dried tarragon

Stir continuously for about 2 minutes until the sauce becomes slightly thickened and heated thoroughly.

Step 6: Finish and Plate

Gently pour the luxurious mustard tarragon sauce over the cooked chicken fillets. Ensure each piece is generously coated with the creamy sauce. Serve immediately while the dish is warm and sauce is at its peak creaminess.

Tips to Enhance the Mustard and Herb Sauce

  • Sizzle to Perfection: Ensure your skillet is preheated to medium-high heat for a golden-brown chicken exterior with a juicy interior.
  • Season Generously: Don't be shy with salt and pepper; they're key to enhancing the chicken's natural flavors before cooking.
  • Deglaze Like a Pro: Scrape up those flavorful browned bits when adding chicken broth – they're packed with delicious concentrated taste.
  • Whisk with Care: Stir the cream sauce continuously to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, velvety consistency.
  • Sauce Timing Matters: Remove the sauce from heat just as it starts to thicken to maintain a luxurious, silky texture that clings perfectly to the chicken.

How to Reheat Chicken Without Drying

  • Refrigerate: Carefully transfer leftover chicken and sauce to an airtight container, separating them if possible to maintain texture. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat Gently: Warm the chicken and sauce separately in the microwave or skillet using low heat to prevent drying out. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture and prevent sauce from separating.
  • Freeze Option: Freeze the chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Pair This Dish with These Easy Sides

  • Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay complement the tangy mustard and creamy sauce perfectly, cutting through the richness while enhancing the tarragon's delicate herbal notes.
  • Serve with Roasted Vegetable Medley: Honey-glazed carrots, roasted asparagus, or herb-infused brussels sprouts provide a delightful textural contrast and absorb the luxurious mustard cream sauce.
  • Match with Rustic Bread: Crusty sourdough or French baguette slices are ideal for soaking up the remaining creamy sauce, adding a delicious carbohydrate element to the meal and preventing any sauce from going to waste.
  • Choose a Light Side Salad: Fresh mixed greens with a light vinaigrette can cut through the dish's richness, offering a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy, savory chicken and creating a well-balanced plate.

Mustard Chicken Variations That Stand Out

  • Herbal Chicken Remix: Swap dried tarragon with fresh chopped rosemary and thyme for a vibrant, garden-fresh flavor profile that elevates the classic recipe.
  • Mediterranean Fusion: Replace Dijon mustard with whole grain mustard and add kalamata olives and diced sun-dried tomatoes to create a Mediterranean-inspired chicken dish with tangy undertones.
  • Spicy Mustard Adventure: Incorporate smoked paprika and a dash of cayenne pepper into the cream sauce for a bold, warming kick that transforms the original mild recipe into a zesty meal.
  • Lighter Wellness Option: Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt and coconut milk for a healthier version that maintains creamy texture while reducing overall calorie content.
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Creamy Mustard Tarragon Chicken Recipe

Creamy Mustard Tarragon Chicken Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Savory “Creamy Mustard Tarragon Chicken” brings French countryside elegance to dinner tables with minimal effort. Silky sauce and tender chicken create a luxurious meal that satisfies sophisticated palates while remaining wonderfully simple to prepare.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken fillets

Cooking Fat and Seasoning:

  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Sauce Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chicken broth
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon (5 grams) dried tarragon

Instructions

  1. Ignite a large skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, creating a sizzling platform for the culinary journey ahead.
  2. Lavish chicken fillets with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper, ensuring an even coating that will enhance the overall flavor profile.
  3. Carefully nestle the seasoned chicken into the heated skillet, allowing each fillet to develop a golden-brown exterior while cooking through completely, approximately 10-12 minutes.
  4. Gracefully transfer the perfectly cooked chicken to a waiting plate, keeping it warm and inviting.
  5. Revive the skillet’s flavor foundation by deglazing with chicken broth, using a spatula to liberate the caramelized remnants clinging to the pan’s surface.
  6. Craft a luxurious sauce by whisking together heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and dried tarragon, transforming the pan’s essence into a velvety, aromatic mixture.
  7. Simmer the sauce briefly, allowing it to thicken and develop a rich, harmonious consistency that will elegantly embrace the chicken.
  8. Artfully drape the creamy mustard tarragon sauce over the waiting chicken fillets, ensuring each piece is generously coated with the indulgent mixture.
  9. Present the dish immediately, inviting diners to savor the delicate balance of flavors and textures.

Notes

  • Elevate your chicken dish with a luxurious French-inspired mustard cream sauce that transforms a simple meal into a gourmet experience.
  • Dried tarragon provides an elegant herbal note, complementing the sharp Dijon mustard and creating a sophisticated flavor profile.
  • Quickly searing chicken at medium-high heat ensures a golden-brown exterior while keeping the meat tender and juicy inside.
  • Deglazing the pan captures all the delicious browned bits, releasing deep, concentrated flavors into the creamy sauce.
  • Heavy cream creates a velvety texture that beautifully coats the chicken, making each bite rich and indulgent.
  • Serve immediately after preparing to enjoy the sauce at its peak creaminess and temperature, guaranteeing a restaurant-quality meal at home.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: French

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 300mg
  • Fat: 32g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 36g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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