Tarragon Chicken Recipe (2024)

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Angeliki Haritos

Use all the olive oil (1/2 cup) and 1/2 chopped tarragon for the marinade (step 1), use the remaining tarragon (1/4 cup) for garnish (step 3)

REBECCA CHERRY

Totally simple to do prep and cook. we did it on our Traeger. It turned out great - a little lemony, a little herby, a little smoky with a crispy skin. A three pounder at 400F for an hour; we added little red potatoes for the last 25 minutes of chicken cooking.

Mary Murphy

I am definitely saving this recipe -- it sounds so simple and almost banal, but it's really superb. Easy and delicious, and the chicken comes out tender and moist, despite the high temp roasting. I marinated the chicken for a little over 24 hours. I served it to guests who are used to fine dining, and they loved it. The menu included a wild rice recipe (on this site -- with shallot and chopped carrot) and sautéed baby spinach with garlic, golden raisins and pine nuts.

LJ

We made this dish last night, but used chicken breasts rather than whole chicken. The chicken was delicious and moist, but I would add more lemon next time as we didn't really pick up enough of that flavor. This is a easy, simple but elegant recipe that I would definitely recommend. We roasted sweet onions with it and that were wonderful!

Tom Husband

I don't understand the measurements for the tarragon and olive oil. In my browser it shows as ¾ and ½. I'll try it anyway and guesstimate.

Carolyn R

Couldn't find fresh Tarragon (seasonal?) so I substituted about 2 tsp dried and crumbled. Tasted fabulous.

kk99

This is the best recipe for roast chicken EVER!!! I have shared it with all of my friends and they agree. You must try it. So simpleand elegant.
Chicken remains tender and juicy-even the white meat. Run and make this dish!!

David

works well on just chicken pieces (thighs, legs, etc...)

David Look

No, do not add the leftover marinade.

Brian Motisky

Save the backbone for making stock!

ColbysGran

When you cook the chicken do you cook it with the marinade included?

Traci

This turned out wonderfully for me. I ended up marinating for 48 hours due to a change in dinner plans. I also placed thin slices of lemon and extra sprigs of tarragon under the bird's skin before roasting. Threw in some fingerling potatoes with 30 minutes left to cook and served with sautéed green beans and shallots with more tarragon sprinkled on top. Delicious.

Silvia

It was a great weekday recipe. Marinade it in the morning. Effortlessly cook it in the oven in the night. It was delicious. It's very important to spoon the juices over the chicken periodically.

MJ

Rubbed a bit of olive oil between the skin and the meat, then slipped the tarragon under the skin before marinating. Presentation was beautiful, but I should have marinated this overnight. Two hours wasn't long enough to fully deliver the flavor.

Roberta Wolf

Made this for dinner tonight with roasted potatoes. I thought it was good although I though the flavor from the marinade would have been stronger, I kept mine on for a full 24 hours. I would recommend adding salt before roasting-once the skin crisps up, the salt doesn't adhere well.

David M

One day while at the supermarket, I was at a loss as to what I could make for dinner that night. I quickly looked up chicken in the app and found this first. Went home and made it pretty much as described and it became an automatic hit for our family. I make it at least once a month and have now varied it so that I can just do chicken thighs instead of the whole chicken

Rachel

Made according to recipe, using a suggestion to preheat my 12” iron skillet in the oven to 450, then add the chicken. Marinated 6 hours, didn’t have quite enough tarragon on hand but it turned out pretty great. My chicken was just under 4 pounds, a Poulet Rouge free ranger, and needed the full 45 minutes. Next time: more tarragon or use rosemary, and 24 marination.

Carole Cassidy

Do you really have to butterfly the chicken? At 79, I have a very hard time getting the backbone out

Susan

Delicious and so easy to make. Definitely a keeper

Karen R

This was very good and very easy! Next time I wouldn’t reserve some tarragon for a garnish, I’d just add it all to the marinade. I added salt and pepper to the marinade, and then more salt and pepper just before putting the chicken in the oven. Tasty.

Julie L.

450 oven for 1 hr. 3.5 lb. Bird. Basted two or 3x 20, 40, 50 minutes, with juices. Browned potatoes and salad. Let sit for 10 minutes then carved up. Very good and I only marinated it for 2 1/2 hours but it was very flavorful. No problem butterflying it. Used red braiser and put in 450 oven 10 minutes so when chicken went into the oven it was very hot. No sticking.

Christi Cassidy

Added salt and whole smashed garlic to the marinade.

Linda

Great dish, especially if you grown tarragon in your summer garden. I like to butterfly/spatchco*ck the chicken. Cooks more quickly and evenly.

Ron Nemirow

Use fresh thyme instead of tarragon because I can’t read a shopping list, still it wasn’t half bad.

laura ballance

Don't throw out the back! Save it in your freezer in a zip lock bag with all the other bones that come through your kitchen, along with vegetable trimmings and when that bag is full enough make some stock. You can't beat it.

lagartija

Easy and delicious tarragon chicken: Put 1 Tbs. tarragon in 1 cup white wine. Don’t crush it. Let it stand. Meanwhile, salt and pepper chicken breasts with bones and skin, brown lightly in butter, then cover pan and let cook slowly until done. Uncover, turn up the heat, pour the wine tarragon mixture over them. Spoon in over until it reduces to the quantity you wish. You will have a buttery brownish tarragon flavored “jus” and tender delicious chicken.

Equilibrist

I make a similar recipe (my mother’s) for a roasted chicken with tarragon and lemon, but it achieves a whole new level of deliciousness when you first sauté some mirepoix of carrot, onion, and celery with tarragon until soft, then roast the chicken with those vegetables stuffed into the cavity.

Berny Morson

If you add the salt to the marinade, the chicken will be more infused with the tarragon flavor.

Mary

Use lemon flavored EVOO. Delicious!

Janilouise

Easy and delicious. Next time will add more lemon, maybe slices in the pan as suggested by other reviewer and marinate over night.

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Tarragon Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does tarragon pair well with? ›

Tarragon is especially embraced at home in preparations involving chicken, fish, shellfish, butter, and cream. Lemon, both the juice and zest, is a great complement to the citrusy notes of the herb. Tarragon is also a primary example of how beneficial it is to use herbs at different stages of cooking.

What does tarragon chicken taste like? ›

Tarragon is bright, herbaceous, and has the slightest subtle hint of anise (or licorice) flavor, but it's definitely not overpowering. It's a classic herb pairing with poultry because they taste so fantastic together. People often consider it a very elegant herb choice.

What is tarragon sauce made of? ›

A creamy tarragon sauce with herbs is quick and easy to make and tastes delicious serves with meat and seafood, especially chicken. A simple roux is made using flour and butter before milk, sour cream, and herbs are added to form a thick sauce. Serve it warm over your favorite main dish.

What can I do with a bunch of tarragon? ›

Try fresh tarragon in every type of chicken dish you can think of—chicken salad, chicken pot pie, chicken coated in a creamy tarragon sauce—and duck dishes, too. Next, add tarragon to sauces—all of the sauces: pesto, aioli, sauce gribiche, and green goddess dressing.

What is the disadvantage of tarragon? ›

There is concern that tarragon might increase the risk of bleeding when taken as a medicine. Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Tarragon may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family.

Is tarragon an anti inflammatory? ›

1. Relieving pain and inflammation. A 2015 study on mice examined the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties of tarragon. The researchers found significant benefits, and the results suggested that opioid receptors could be involved in the pain-relieving effect of the herb.

Why is tarragon so expensive? ›

Varieties of Tarragon

French tarragon is also more expensive and more difficult to grow, as it can only be reproduced from fresh cuttings of the leaves, and not from seeds.

What spices go with tarragon? ›

Tarragon. A summery, piquant, mild aniseed-flavour. May drown the taste of other herbs, so use it sparsely with: Basil, parsley, dill, mint and thyme.

Why does my tarragon have no flavor? ›

Tarragon grows well in a container, but only for a season. After that, its roots outgrow the pot, and it loses flavor.

What is the closest Flavour to tarragon? ›

The best fresh tarragon substitute? Fresh basil. Basil also has a vaguely anise / licorice flavor on the finish, and is bright green and herbaceous like tarragon. You can use it in a 1:1 substitution, just make sure to thinly slice the basil mimic the thin tarragon leaves.

What is the closest taste to tarragon? ›

The fresh herb that is most similar in taste to tarragon comes from fennel, a bulb vegetable with delicate leafy fronds. Both the root and the fronds are edible. I recommend using the fronds roughly chopped in place of fresh tarragon when possible.

What is the difference between tarragon and Mexican tarragon? ›

Mexican tarragon (Tagetes lucida), also known as winter tarragon, is a member of the Asteraceae family like the other two but is from a different genus – the marigold genus, Tagetes. However, it has great similarity in taste to French tarragon and the advantage that it flourishes over winter rather than dying down.

Can you eat too much tarragon? ›

Tarragon is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in food amounts. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth as a medicine, short-term. Long-term use of tarragon as a medicine is LIKELY UNSAFE. Tarragon contains a chemical called estragole, which might cause cancer.

Can you have too much tarragon? ›

Given its powerful flavor, fresh tarragon is best used in moderation in the kitchen, as this aromatic herb can quickly overpower a dish when used in excess. Dried tarragon has a more concentrated flavor, and therefore should be used more sparingly than the fresh leaves.

What is the most common use of tarragon? ›

Tarragon, or Artemisia dracunculus L., is a perennial herb that comes from the sunflower family. It's widely used for flavoring, fragrance and medicinal purposes ( 1 ). It has a subtle taste and pairs well with dishes like fish, beef, chicken, asparagus, eggs and soups.

What is the flavor affinity of tarragon? ›

Tarragon has a flavor affinity for asparagus, chicken, eggs, fish and seafood, mushrooms, mustard sauces, potatoes, poultry, salad dressings, salsify, tomatoes, and zucchini. Tarragon combines well with basil, bay, capers, chervil, chives, dill, garlic, parsley, and salad herbs.

What herbs are compatible with tarragon? ›

Attracts / Repels: Most pests do not like tarragon. Companions: Tarragon is a good companion to most vegetables. It pairs well with most herbs, including chives, lemon balm, parsley, rosemary, and sage.

Do tarragon and basil go together? ›

Basil. Herbs and Spices: Pairs really well with thyme, cardamom, anise seed, rosemary, nutmeg, oregano, parsley, sage, corander, anise, ginger, cinnamon, and tarragon. Foods: Pairs really well with citrus, zests, berries, tomato, carrot, beef, pork, and mozzarella.

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