Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms and Tarragon Cream features golden chicken thighs in a white wine and cream sauce flavored with shallots and fresh tarragon.
I have been totally crushin' on mushrooms lately. Which is strange because I don't often go for mushrooms at the grocery store. I'm not sure if it's the meaty texture, or the rich and complex flavor they bring to a dish, or the amazing way the house smells when they're are browning in the pan, or what - but they have found their way into at least two other dishes I've posted recently.
Check out the Turkey Marsala and the Sherry Chicken Saute with Mushrooms and Peppers (aka Chicken Cacciatore) if you like mushrooms, too. I'm sure I will get tired of mushrooms at some point, but I see this trend continuing for at least a while.
Chicken thighs is another thing I don't usually buy, but in an effort to be frugal, I have taken advantage of the Summer price break and purchased a few big-packs for the freezer. When chicken thighs and mushrooms meet in the saute pan, it's like they were meant for each other; add chicken thighs with mushrooms and tarragon cream, and you have a match made in culinary heaven. Yum!
I think most of you would agree that because we all live busy lives, fast and easy meals are in order. But I would argue that in a fast paced world, there are times we need slow down and enjoy the process to really appreciate the end product. This is one of those times and one of those dishes. WAIT!
Wait! Before you hit the back button or go and check your Facebook, hear me out. These chicken thighs with their creamy mushroom and tarragon goodness, don't take much hands-on-time to prepare. Do you have a timer? It will be your best friend.
Let's see... 7 minutes per side for the chicken thighs, 4 minutes per side for the mushrooms, 3 minutes for the shallots, 2 minutes for the wine, add the cream, everyone back in the pan, and 30 minutes in the oven. That's just over an hour of cooking time, but hands-on-time is about 10.
All of that in-between time leaves plenty of room to make a side, put a few dishes in the dishwasher or set the table.
As I've mentioned, this recipe does not take a lot of hands-on-time, but it does take a little more time than a one-pot-cook-everything-at-once kind of meal -- and it should. This recipe builds layers of flavor in every step and it's worth it -- and your loved ones are worth it. Bring dinner back to the table with these crispy chicken thighs with mushrooms and tarragon cream.
A perfect dessert would be my Nana's Cheese Pie. It's 4 net carbs a serving and always delicious.
Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms and Tarragon Cream 7 net carbs a serving
Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms and Tarragon Cream
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs
- salt and pepper
- 8 ounces sliced crimini mushrooms baby portabella
- 4 ounces shallots sliced
- ¼ cup oil divided
- ½ cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 in cube bouillon I use Better Than Bouillon a jar
- 2 tablespoons chopped tarragon
- 1 ½ cups heavy cream
- More tarragon for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preparation: Put a platter, small sheet pan or a pyrex 9x9 dish by the stove. Locate your tongs and spatter screen. Pat the chicken thighs dry to reduce spattering. Trim any extra fat and excess skin off of the chicken thighs and liberally season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Chicken: Heat a large oven proof skillet over medium high heat. When nice and hot, add two tablespoons of oil to the pan swirling it around to coat the entire bottom surface. Add the chicken thighs, skin-side-down and use a spatter screen if you have one. Set the timer for 7 minutes and check the chicken when the timer sounds. The skin should be a rich golden color and crispy and most of the fat should have been rendered. If not, let it go another 1 minute. Using tongs, flip the chicken thighs over and cook for another 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan. NOTE: It's better to do two batches than to crowd the pan and have soggy chicken skin. Pour out some of the rendered chicken fat between batches to reduce spattering.
- Mushrooms: Turn the pan down to medium. Pour out all of the oil that has accumulated in the bottom of the pan except for 2 tablespoons. I added the extra fat to my bacon grease jar. Add half of the mushrooms to the pan, arranging them into an even layer. Set the timer for 4 minutes, flip each one with the tongs and set for 4 more minutes. When browned, remove the mushrooms to the plate with the chicken. PREHEAT OVEN TO 350. If the pan is dry, add a little more oil. Cook the other half of the mushrooms 4 minutes per side and remove to the plate with the chicken and other mushrooms.
- Make the sauce: While the chicken or mushrooms are cooking, peel and slice the shallots and chop the tarragon. If the pan is dry after the mushrooms are browned, add a little more oil and then the shallots. Cook the shallots for about 3 minutes until they start to soften. Turn off the heat. Move the pan off of the burner. Add the wine, lemon juice, and bouillon to the pan. Put the pan back on the burner, turn it up to medium high and simmer approximately 1 ½ - 2 minutes scraping up all of the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer until the liquid is reduced by half.
- Add the cream, lemon zest, and tarragon to the pan, giving it a stir, and bring the cream up to a simmer. Add the chicken thighs back to to pan, skin-side-up and arrange mushrooms around in the empty spaces. If you wish, add a few sprigs of tarragon around the chicken thighs.
- Place the pan into the oven and cook uncovered, for 30 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees.
- Finishing touches: When the chicken comes out of the oven, stir the sauce and taste. Add salt if needed. For a thicker sauce, remove the chicken to a serving platter and simmer the sauce to desired thickness. Taste for seasoning and adjust after simmering.
Natalie
Thanks for this recipe. If i am making it in advance, can I let it cool down, put it in the fridge and then reheat it in the oven on the day i need it?
Kim Hardesty
Hi Natalie. I suspect that the sauce would "break" (separate) and become oily if made in advance and reheated. However, if you wish to try... keep the sauce separate from the chicken and heat it separately in a pan. You may need to add more cream or water to it to loosen it up. Whisk it every so often. -Kim
Mello
Kids came over last Saturday for hubby’s birthday. Decided to do a taste test run with the sauce a few days before to make sure it would be kid approved (both in their 30’s and love food). The gravy was so delicious I made a second batch because I wanted to make sure I had enough...just to let you know I had nothing left after the end of the meal! Nobody realized it was keto! Thanks you!
Kim Hardesty
I'm so happy to hear that your family enjoyed the recipe, Mello! A Happy Belated Birthday to your hubby. Also, kudos for doing a test run on a new recipe. Most people don't and then are upset if the recipe needs to be adjusted per their ovens/stoves/pans or pallets. That was very smart! Enjoy the rest of your week. -Kim
JW Newton
Great recipe 👍
Kelly
I've made this a few times and each time I make it I wonder why I don't make it more often because it is super easy and incredibly delicious. Thanks for another winner!
Debra Adams
I am leaving a 3 star only because I am not a fan of Tarragon. Had I been more attentive (or announced I was making tarragon cream chicken) I would have substituted rosemary or thyme but my guests liked tarragon so....They loved it. Me...meh. Next time I will make it for myself lol.
Theresa
I made these last night after finding the recipe on TasteSpotting. I got rave reviews! Great recipe and sooooo delicious!
Kim
I am so happy to hear that you got compliments on your dinner, Theresa. Thanks for letting me know! -Kim
Debbie Kane
This dish was fantastic! So totally satisfying and easy to make. I served it with fresh sauteed spinach. Thanks for sharing. It's a keeper!
Matt
Chicken thighs are my favorite part of the bird - and this is a delicious recipe! thanks for sharing.
Kim
Great! Have a nice week. -Kim
Kim
Yeah this is a nice recipe. I’m glad you like it. Thanks for commenting. Enjoy your week. -Kim
Christine
Chicken thighs are my absolute favorite! And I'm loving this mushroom cream sauce. Definitely making this this week.
Kim
Thanks Christine. Your blog name is PERFECT by the way - love it. You know, you can change-up the flavor by adding a little dijon or worcestershire sauce. I guess I should add it to the post. Have a great weekend! -Kim
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet
I love dishes like this and have no problem that it takes some time to pull it together - Looks perfect for a Sunday support or a dinner party :)
April @ Girl Gone Gourmet
Not sure what I meant by Sunday 'support' -- LOL. Meant Sunday Supper!!
Kim
April, I knew what you meant! Thank you. -Kim
Kim
Hi April. Thank you so much! Have a nice week.