Poulet à Lestragon Possibly The Best Chicken Recipe In The World Food

JACKIE KENNEDY'S POULET A' L'ESTRAGON

Steps:

• Season the flour with salt and pepper to taste and coat the chicken; reserve the flour not used for sauce later.
• Brown the chicken in some butter and sprinkle the shallots over the chicken and simmer for a few minutes.
• Add the chicken stock, wine, bay leaf, thyme, parsley and tarragon; cover and simmer chicken parts for about 25 minutes, if using whole chicken, simmer about 45 minutes or until tender, turning frequently.
• Remove from pan and keep hot.
• To the pan juices add the cream and grated cheese, and any flour not used in coating the chicken.
• Simmer over low heat until sauce is thick.
• Strain sauce over the chicken and garnish with tarragon leaves.

POULET A L'ESTRAGON (CHICKEN WITH TARRAGON)

Steps:

• Remove the giblets from the chicken, and reserve them for another use. Place the chicken in a bowl or sink, and pour the boiling water over it. This French trick tightens the skin of the bird, which in turn seals in the flavor better. Dry the chicken with paper towels.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Blend the softened butter with half the tarragon and a little salt and pepper. Place the herb butter in the cavity of the chicken, then place the chicken in a cast-iron casserole, pour the wine over it, cover, and roast for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until it is cooked through.
• Transfer the chicken to a hot serving dish. Stir the beurre manie into juices in the casserole, and cook for 1 minute. Add the cream and the remaining tarragon, and cook, stirring, until the sauce has thickened. Pour the sauce over or around chicken, and serve immediately.