Chicken Breasts And Tarragon En Papillote France Food

CREAMY FRENCH CHICKEN TARRAGON

Steps:

• Make sure you read the cooking notes before you start.
• Step 1 - Two hours prior to cooking, rinse the chicken thighs under cold water and pat-dry thoroughly with paper towel. Season each piece with salt and pepper on both sides. Set aside, at room temperature.
• Pre-heat your oven to 375F (190C) with a rack in the middle.
• Step 2 - Heat up a large oven-safe frying pan (or skillet) over medium heat with the butter. When the butter is sizzling, place the chicken thighs in, skin-side down. Cook for about 10 minutes, without touching, until the chicken skin is golden brown and the chicken is ¾ done; just firm. Flip the chicken thighs and cook for 10 more minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover with foil. Keep the pan hot and do not rinse it (keep the chicken drippings in).
• Step 3 - Add the onion and garlic to the pan. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is lightly caramelized. Nestle the chicken thighs back into the pan, on top of the onion. Sprinkle with the chopped tarragon. Pour the chicken stock and white wine into the pan. Bring to a simmer and transfer the pan into the oven for 30 minutes (covered).
• Step 4 - Take the pan out of the oven, back onto the stove top at medium heat. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover with foil again. Stir the cream into the pan. Bring to a simmer and keep stirring until the sauce thickens (this could take 7-8 minutes). Place the chicken thighs back into the pan and cook for 5 more minutes.
• For serving, sprinkle chicken pieces with fresh tarragon leaves.

CHICKEN BREASTS AND TARRAGON EN PAPILLOTE (FRANCE)

Steps:

• Cut each tomato into 4 thick slices, then salt both sices & lay them out in a single layer to drain on paper towels.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Cut one of the chicken breasts into 6 pieces & lay them in the center of a 12-inch square of heavy aluminum foil.
• Season the chicken with salt, pepper & cayenne, to taste, then top the chicken with 2 slices of tomato & 1/4 of the tarragon leaves.
• Drizzle 1 tablespoon of oil over the tomatoes as well as a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
• Season the tomatoes with additional salt & pepper, to taste.
• Bring 2 opposite edges of the foil together over the top & fold them down over the chicken, then fold the sides up & over the chicken to create a packet.
• Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts, then put the 4 packets on a baking sheet & bake for 15 minutes.
• When chicken is done, open the packets & drain the liquid into a small bowl.
• Add the mustard to the liquid, mixing well.
• Serve the chicken in the packet on a plate, & drizzle the sauce over the top.

CHICKEN BREASTS EN PAPILLOTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Spread a large piece of aluminum foil on a flat surface. Invert a 12- or 14-inch round cake pan on it and trace around the edge with a sharp knife to make a circle. Repeat until there are 4.
• Cut off and discard the stem of each mushroom and cut caps into thin slices.
• Cut carrots crosswise into 1 1/2-inch lengths. Cut each piece lengthwise into a julienne shape.
• Trim and wash zucchini, and cut in the same fashion.
• Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan. Place aluminum rounds on a flat surface and brush them with melted butter.
• Place one chicken breast on each round slightly below the center, leaving a margin large enough to fold over.
• Brush the top of each breast with about 2 teaspoons of mustard and place equal quantities of mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, shallots, thyme around each. Sprinkle each serving with a tablespoon of white wine and parsley, and dot with remaining butter. Salt and pepper to taste.
• Fold foil to completely enclose the contents while leaving some room for expansion. Crimp the seal as tightly as possible. Arrange packages on a baking sheet and bake about 20 minutes. Serve immediately.

FRENCH CHICKEN TARRAGON

Steps:

• Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. Let stand for 30 minutes to 1 hour at room temperature.
• Heat the oven to 400°F. Put an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the butter and shallots and cook, stirring, until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and chopped tarragon and cook for 1 minute (be careful not to let the garlic brown). Arrange the chicken thighs in the pot in one layer, add the broth and wine, and bring to a simmer.
• Put the lid on and place the pot on the middle shelf of the oven. Bake for 15 minutes, then lower the heat to 350°F and continue baking for 45 minutes, or until the thighs are tender. Put the thighs on a platter, cover loosely, and keep warm.
• Strain the pan juices through a fine sieve into a saucepan and spoon off any rising fat. Place the pan over medium-high heat, add the crème fraîche and lemon zest, and simmer until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Spoon the sauce over the chicken, garnish with tarragon leaves, and serve.

SAUTéED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH TARRAGON

Steps:

• In a small bowl mix together paprika and curry powder, and sprinkle on both sides of chicken breasts; cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Place 2 breasts on large sheet of plastic wrap, cover with more plastic and pound with a mallet until they are about 1/4-inch thick. Repeat with remaining breasts. (Chicken may be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 12 hours.)
• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Season chicken on both sides with salt. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add enough canola oil to film the bottom of pan. Working in batches, without crowding, place breasts smooth side down and let cook until golden brown, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Turn and cook for another 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet and keep warm in oven.
• Wipe out skillet and return to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and shallot, and sauté for 30 seconds, swirling pan to coat shallot with butter. Add wine, raise heat to medium-high, and cook until wine is reduced by half, about 1 minute. Add stock, bring to boil, and cook until reduced and slightly thickened, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Stir in chopped tarragon, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, and any juices that have accumulated on baking sheet. Swirl to melt butter, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Arrange chicken on a warmed platter, pour sauce over it, and garnish with whole tarragon leaves.