Thursday, March 22, 2012

Chicken with Tarragon~Raspberry Cream Sauce


I love fresh herbs!  Honestly, I can't seem to help myself when I'm at the store.
It's like buying shoes or something.  I need to plant a garden because I spend a small fortune with the amount I buy at the store.  My favorites are thyme, sage, basil, rosemary, but the top of the list for me is tarragon.  I find any excuse to use it.  One of my favorites is tarragon~shallot butter that I top my steak with.  I'll have to post that one soon, especially with grill season upon us!  So, when I saw this recipe in Better Homes and Gardens special Chicken edition, I had to give it a try.

I am also beginning to appreciate quick, easy sautes.  I can't always spend hours in the kitchen, as much as I'd love to.   So sad.  I recently taught a 20 minute cooking class and thought, what?  This is so not my thing.  But, hey I'm a work in progress.  This is a great dish for weeknight cooking.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/3 cup green onions only the white portion, sliced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, snipped
12 ounces baby carrots, peeled and tops trimmed
1 small bunch watercress, thick stems removed
1 cup fresh raspberries

In a large saute pan, heat olive oil over medium~high heat; add butter.  When butter melts, add chicken that has been seasoned with salt and pepper on both sides to the pan.  Cook for 10~12 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (170*F ), turning once.  Transfer chicken to a serving platter; keep warm.

Add onions to the saute pan.  Saute for about 3 minutes, or until just tender; transfer to platter with chicken.

Add broth, cream, and wine to pan.  Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium~low.  Simmer uncovered for about 8 minutes or until slightly thickened.  Stir in tarragon.  Return the chicken, onion, and accumulated juices on platter to pan.  Reduce heat to low, cover and keep warm.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, cook carrots in lightly salted boiling water about 10 minutes or until crisp tender.  Drain and return to saucepan.

To serve, toss watercress with carrots to warm slightly.  Lay out carrots and watercress onto serving platter.  Top with chicken.  Gently stir raspberries into remaining sauce in saute pan; spoon over chicken.

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