Pan-Seared Chicken with Tarragon Butter Sauce

Tender chicken cutlets pan-seared to golden perfection and topped with a luxurious tarragon butter sauce made with white wine, shallots, and fresh herbs. This elegant dish combines French-inspired flavors for a restaurant-quality meal.

6 servings
20 min

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup finely chopped shallot (1 large)
  • ½ stick unsalted butter
  • cup dry white wine
  • 2 lb thin-sliced skinless boneless chicken breasts
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh tarragon
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Cook shallot in 1 tablespoon butter in a small heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add wine and boil until most of liquid is evaporated, about 3 minutes. Set aside.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Pat chicken dry and sprinkle all over with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté chicken in 3 or 4 batches, turning over once, until golden and just cooked through, about 2 minutes per batch. Transfer as cooked to a platter and keep warm, loosely covered with foil.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Return shallot mixture to moderately low heat and add remaining 3 tablespoons butter, 1 cube at a time, whisking until incorporated. Remove from heat and whisk in tarragon, parsley, lemon juice, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Spoon sauce over chicken.

    5 min