Dinner rushes in with a delightful twist when you add creamy mustard tarragon chicken to your weekly menu.
This elegant dish brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your kitchen.
French-inspired ingredients mingle beautifully in a sauce that’s both tangy and rich.
Tender chicken breasts swim in a velvety blend of sharp mustard and delicate herb notes.
The recipe promises a sophisticated meal that’s surprisingly simple to prepare.
A single skillet becomes your culinary canvas, transforming ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dinner.
Each bite delivers a harmonious balance of creamy, zesty, and herbaceous flavors that will leave everyone at the table asking for seconds.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Calories: 384 kcal
Servings: 5
Creamy Mustard Tarragon Chicken Ingredients
For Protein:
Chicken Fillets: Select tender, boneless cuts for even cooking and maximum flavor absorption, preferably from free-range or organic sources for richer taste.
For Seasoning and Flavor Enhancers:
Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for drawing out chicken's natural flavors and creating a balanced taste profile.
Dried Tarragon: Adds distinctive herbal notes with subtle hints of anise, elevating the dish's complexity.
Dijon Mustard: Provides sharp, tangy undertones that complement the creamy sauce and chicken.
For Sauce Base:
Olive Oil: Creates a smooth cooking foundation and adds subtle fruity undertones.
Chicken Broth: Helps deglaze the pan and builds depth in the sauce's flavor foundation.
Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious richness and creates silky, smooth sauce texture.
Tools to Cook Chicken in a Silky Mustard Sauce
Large Skillet: Essential for searing chicken and creating the delicious sauce.
Whisk: Perfect for smoothly blending cream, mustard, and tarragon without lumps.
Tongs: Helps flip and transfer chicken safely during cooking.
Measuring Spoons: Ensures accurate seasoning and ingredient quantities.
Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for preparing chicken before cooking.
Chef's Knife: Useful for any necessary chicken trimming or preparation.
Follow These Steps for Juicy, Flavor-Packed Chicken
Skillet Preparation Warm olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat, creating a perfect cooking surface.
Chicken Seasoning Sprinkle salt and pepper generously across chicken pieces, ensuring even coverage.
Chicken Cooking Sear chicken until golden and thoroughly cooked, developing a beautiful caramelized exterior.
Flavor Foundation Splash chicken broth into the pan, releasing delicious browned bits from the bottom.
Creamy Sauce Creation Blend heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and dried tarragon into a luxurious, velvety sauce that promises rich, tangy flavors.
Final Touch Drench cooked chicken with the fragrant mustard cream sauce, allowing each piece to be lovingly coated in the silky mixture.
Tips for Adjusting Heat, Cream, or Herb Levels
Pro Kitchen Tricks for Mustard Tarragon Chicken
Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally for perfect doneness without overcooking.
Cream Sauce Rescue: If sauce becomes too thick, thin it with a splash of chicken broth or white wine for ideal consistency.
Fresh Herb Boost: Replace dried tarragon with fresh chopped tarragon leaves for a more vibrant, aromatic flavor profile.
Protein Swap: Easily substitute chicken breasts with turkey cutlets or pork tenderloin medallions for delightful variation.
Serve Mustard Chicken with Rice or Veggies
Elegant Dinner Party Centerpiece: Arrange the chicken on a pristine white platter, drizzling the golden mustard sauce artfully over the top. Garnish with fresh tarragon sprigs for a restaurant-quality presentation that'll impress your guests.
Hearty Meal Companion: Serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes or buttery roasted vegetables to soak up the luxurious mustard sauce. The rich flavors complement starchy sides perfectly, creating a satisfying and complete meal.
Light and Fresh Pairing: Create a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the creamy sauce. The tangy salad will cut through the richness of the chicken, providing a refreshing contrast that elevates the entire dining experience.
Rustic Lunch Option: Transform leftovers into a delectable chicken sandwich by layering sliced chicken on crusty bread, spreading extra mustard sauce for an extra flavor punch. Pack for a gourmet workday lunch that beats any boring sandwich.
Store Leftovers to Keep That Sauce Smooth
Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare extra chicken fillets during cooking to create quick lunch meals for the next 2-3 days. Pack individual portions with sauce separately to maintain optimal texture and freshness.
Refrigerator Storage Strategy: Store leftover chicken and sauce in airtight containers, keeping them separated to prevent soggy meat. Consume within 3-4 days for best flavor and quality. Cool completely before refrigerating to maintain food safety standards.
Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual chicken portions with sauce in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and gently reheat in skillet with splash of broth to restore moisture and prevent drying.
Quick Reheat Technique: Warm refrigerated chicken in skillet over medium-low heat, adding small amount of chicken broth to prevent drying. Stir sauce gently to restore creamy consistency. Avoid microwave reheating to maintain tender chicken texture and sauce quality.
Mustard tarragon chicken brings French countryside elegance to classic comfort cuisine. Delicate herbs and rich cream sauce create a luxurious meal perfect for sophisticated home dining. You will savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
4 chicken fillets (boneless, skinless)
2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
2 tbsps (30 ml) Dijon mustard
½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
¼ cup (60 ml) chicken broth
1 tsp (5 g) dried tarragon
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Instructions
Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken fillets with salt and pepper, then place in the hot pan. Cook until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 10-12 minutes, turning once to ensure even browning.
Prepare Sauce Base: Remove chicken and set aside. Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan’s surface to capture maximum flavor.
Create Creamy Sauce: Whisk heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and dried tarragon into the skillet. Simmer the mixture until it thickens slightly, developing a rich and smooth consistency that will complement the chicken.
Combine and Finish: Return chicken to the skillet, coating each fillet generously with the creamy mustard tarragon sauce. Ensure the chicken is heated through and thoroughly covered with the velvety sauce.
Serve Immediately: Transfer chicken to serving plates, spooning any remaining sauce over the top. Offer a final garnish of fresh herbs or a sprinkle of additional tarragon for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.
Notes
Chicken Timing Tip: Cook chicken precisely 10-12 minutes to avoid dryness, ensuring juicy, tender meat that melts in your mouth.
Sauce Whisking Technique: Blend cream, mustard, and tarragon smoothly to prevent lumps, creating a silky, restaurant-quality sauce with perfect consistency.
Heat Management Trick: Maintain medium-high heat for ideal golden-brown chicken exterior without burning, developing rich caramelized flavors.
Deglazing Flavor Boost: Scrape pan remnants thoroughly when adding broth to capture every bit of concentrated chicken essence, maximizing sauce depth.
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles
Oregon Culinary Institute
Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.
Jessica Martin
Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography, Seasonal and Local Ingredients, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Culinary Education
Education
Portland Community College
Oregon Culinary Institute
Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking.
Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes.
Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.