Slow-Cooked Tarragon Chicken Delight
Immerse yourself in the elegant flavors of French cuisine with this Slow-Cooked Tarragon Chicken Delight. This hearty dish combines tender chicken thighs simmered with aromatic tarragon, rich tomato sauce, and a hint of dry white wine for depth. Perfectly suited for lazy weekday dinners, this crock pot recipe allows the ingredients to meld beautifully over hours of low cooking, resulting in a dish that is both comforting and sophisticated. Serve it over pasta, rice, or creamy polenta to soak up the delicious sauce and impress your family or guests at your next gathering.
8
Servings
600
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Flour
1 cup (All-purpose flour)
Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (Ground)
Salt
1 teaspoon (Kosher or sea salt)
Dried Tarragon
2 teaspoons (Dried herb)
Chicken Thighs
8 pieces (Boneless, skinless (with or without bone))
Vegetable Oil
1/4 cup (Cooking oil)
Butter
1/4 cup (Unsalted)
Dry White Wine
1/2 cup (Or chicken broth)
Sliced Mushrooms
1 lb (Optional, cleaned and sliced)
Diced Tomatoes
1 (14 ounce) can (Drained)
Tomato Sauce
1 (8 ounce) can
Garlic Cloves
2 cloves (Minced)
Fresh Parsley
To taste (Chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a large zippered bag, combine flour, salt, pepper, and dried tarragon. Mix well.
2
Add chicken thighs to the bag in batches, sealing and shaking to ensure they are well coated with the flour mixture. Remove the chicken from the bag and set it aside, reserving the flour mixture for later.
3
In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil and butter over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken thighs, cooking them in batches if necessary. Brown on all sides for about 5 minutes per side until golden.
4
Transfer the browned chicken thighs to a crock pot.
5
In the same skillet, add the reserved flour mixture to the fat and drippings. Whisk in the dry white wine or chicken broth over medium-low heat until the mixture becomes thick and smooth. Adjust with additional liquid as needed to achieve a sauce-like consistency.
6
Pour the sauce over the chicken in the crock pot.
7
Add the optional sliced mushrooms, diced tomatoes (drained), tomato sauce, and minced garlic to the crock pot. Stir gently to combine.
8
Cover the crock pot and cook on LOW for about 6 hours for boneless chicken thighs or 8 hours for bone-in thighs, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
9
Before serving, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
Nutrition Information
24g
Fat
54g
Carbs
31.5g
Protein
4g
Fiber
2g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Slow-Cooked Tarragon Chicken Delight?
It is a hearty French-inspired dish featuring chicken thighs simmered in a rich tomato sauce with aromatic tarragon and white wine.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are recommended, though bone-in thighs can also be used with adjusted cooking times.
How long should I cook the chicken on the LOW setting?
Cook for about 6 hours if using boneless chicken thighs or 8 hours if using bone-in thighs.
Can I substitute the dry white wine?
Yes, you can substitute the dry white wine with an equal amount of chicken broth.
What are the recommended side dishes for this chicken?
This dish is best served over pasta, rice, or creamy polenta to soak up the flavorful sauce.
Is it necessary to brown the chicken before slow cooking?
Yes, browning the chicken for about 5 minutes per side in a skillet helps develop flavor and texture.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to provide 8 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 600 calories.
Can I add vegetables to this crock pot recipe?
Yes, the recipe suggests adding 1 lb of optional sliced mushrooms for extra heartiness.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving provides 31.5g of protein.
What type of tarragon should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of dried tarragon in the flour coating mixture.
Do I need to drain the diced tomatoes?
Yes, one 14-ounce can of diced tomatoes should be drained before being added to the crock pot.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
There are 54g of carbohydrates in each serving.
What kind of fat is used for browning the chicken?
A combination of 1/4 cup vegetable oil and 1/4 cup unsalted butter is used.
How is the sauce thickened for this recipe?
The sauce is thickened by whisking the reserved flour mixture into the skillet drippings and wine before adding it to the crock pot.
Is there a specific garnish for this dish?
Freshly chopped parsley is sprinkled over the dish before serving for color and flavor.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
While thighs are more tender for slow cooking, breasts can be used, though they may dry out if cooked for the full 6-8 hours.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe requires 2 minced garlic cloves.
What is the fat content per serving?
The dish contains 24g of fat per serving.
What size tomato sauce can is needed?
One 8-ounce can of tomato sauce is used in the slow cooker.
How much fiber does this recipe provide?
There are 4g of fiber per serving.
Is this recipe considered easy to prepare?
Yes, it is described as an easy dinner and a great option for lazy weekday meals.
What is the amount of sugar in this dish?
The dish contains 2g of sugar per serving.
What flour is used for the chicken coating?
One cup of all-purpose flour is used for the coating mixture.
Can I use fresh tarragon instead of dried?
Yes, but you should generally use three times the amount of fresh herb compared to dried for similar flavor intensity.
How do I ensure the chicken is well coated?
Place the chicken in a zippered bag with the flour and seasonings, seal it, and shake well.
What is the best temperature to cook this in a crock pot?
The recipe specifies cooking on the LOW setting for the best results.
Is salt and pepper included in the coating?
Yes, the coating includes 1 teaspoon each of ground black pepper and kosher or sea salt.
Does the recipe contain any dairy?
Yes, the recipe uses 1/4 cup of unsalted butter for browning the chicken.
Can this be made ahead of time?
Yes, as a slow cooker recipe, it can be prepared in the morning to be ready for dinner time.