Savory Citrus Chicken in Creamy Tarragon Sauce
Indulge in this delightful Savory Citrus Chicken in Creamy Tarragon Sauce, a budget-friendly recipe that brings the classic flavors of duck à l'orange to your kitchen without breaking the bank. Tender chicken breast halves are sautéed to perfection and enveloped in a rich, tangy orange sauce infused with aromatic tarragon and topped off with a touch of cream. This dish is perfect for a cozy lunch or a light dinner, and it’s sure to impress your family and friends. Serve it alongside your favorite sides for a complete meal that feels luxurious yet is easy to prepare.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken breast halves
4 (Skin and bone the chicken breasts.)
Unsalted butter (or margarine)
2 tablespoons (Melt in a skillet.)
Onion
1/4 cup (Chopped.)
Orange juice concentrate
1 1/2 cups (Use directly from the can or carton.)
Dried tarragon
1/2 teaspoon (Crumble.)
Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (To taste.)
Salt
1 dash (To taste.)
Evaporated milk
1 cup (Use directly from the can.)
Lemon
1 (To garnish, cut halfway through and twist.)
Fresh tarragon
1 sprig (To garnish.)
Instructions
1
Begin by skinning and deboning the chicken breast halves, ensuring they are ready for cooking.
2
In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter (or margarine) over medium heat. Once the butter is bubbling, gently place the chicken breast halves in the skillet.
3
Sauté the chicken for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and place them on a serving platter. Cover the chicken to keep it warm.
4
In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes tender and translucent, ensuring it doesn’t brown. Stir in the orange juice concentrate, crumble the tarragon over the mixture, and add pepper and a dash of salt.
5
Gradually stir in the evaporated milk and continue cooking over medium heat, stirring constantly for about 3-5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
6
Once the sauce is ready, pour it generously over the warm chicken breasts on the platter.
7
For the finishing touch, garnish the dish with a sprig of fresh tarragon and a lemon slice that has been cut halfway through and twisted to release its juices.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Citrus Chicken in Creamy Tarragon Sauce?
It is a budget-friendly dish that mimics the flavors of duck à l'orange using chicken breasts, a tangy orange sauce, and aromatic tarragon.
How many chicken breast halves are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 4 chicken breast halves that have been skinned and deboned.
What type of fat is used to sauté the chicken?
You can use 2 tablespoons of either unsalted butter or margarine.
How long should the chicken be sautéed?
The chicken should be sautéed for about 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked.
What is the key citrus ingredient in the sauce?
The sauce uses 1 1/2 cups of orange juice concentrate.
How is the onion prepared for this dish?
You should use 1/4 cup of chopped onion and sauté it until it is tender and translucent.
How is the dried tarragon added to the sauce?
The 1/2 teaspoon of dried tarragon should be crumbled over the mixture to release its flavor.
What makes the sauce creamy?
One cup of evaporated milk is stirred into the sauce to provide a creamy consistency.
How long does it take for the sauce to thicken?
The sauce should be stirred constantly over medium heat for about 3 to 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
What seasonings are included in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1/8 teaspoon of pepper and a dash of salt, both of which can be adjusted to taste.
How should the chicken be kept warm while making the sauce?
Once cooked, place the chicken on a serving platter and cover it to retain heat.
What are the suggested garnishes for this dish?
Garnish the chicken with a sprig of fresh tarragon and a twisted lemon slice.
How do you prepare the lemon garnish?
Cut a lemon slice halfway through and twist it so that it releases some of its juices over the dish.
Is this recipe suitable for a light dinner?
Yes, it is designed to be perfect for either a cozy lunch or a light dinner.
Can I use fresh tarragon in the sauce itself?
The recipe calls for dried tarragon in the sauce for concentrated flavor, but fresh tarragon is used as a garnish.
Do I need to brown the onions?
No, you should ensure the onion does not brown; it should only be sautéed until tender.
Is this dish considered expensive?
No, it is specifically described as a budget-friendly recipe.
What kind of orange juice should be used?
You should use orange juice concentrate directly from the can or carton.
How should the chicken be handled before cooking?
The chicken breast halves must be skinned and deboned before being added to the skillet.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is skinning and deboning the chicken breast halves to prepare them for cooking.
Does the recipe require specific kitchen equipment?
A large skillet is the main equipment needed for sautéing the chicken and preparing the sauce.
How is the sauce applied to the chicken?
The sauce should be poured generously over the warm chicken breasts once they are on the serving platter.
What is the texture of the finished sauce?
The sauce should be creamy and slightly thickened after simmering with the evaporated milk.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 ingredients in total, including the garnishes.
Can I use regular milk instead of evaporated milk?
The recipe specifies evaporated milk, which provides a richer and thicker consistency than regular milk.
Is the chicken cooked with the bone in?
No, the recipe instructions specify that the chicken should be deboned before cooking.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include chicken, citrus, creamy, tarragon, easy recipe, budget-friendly, lunch, dinner, and savory.
How should the butter be prepared in the pan?
Melt the butter over medium heat until it is bubbling before adding the chicken.
What flavor does the tarragon provide?
The tarragon provides an aromatic herbal note that complements the citrusy orange sauce.
Is the orange juice concentrate diluted?
No, the recipe calls for using the concentrate directly from the can or carton for a bold flavor.