Creamy Dijon Tarragon Chicken: A French Bistro Classic Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For a deeper flavor, you can briefly sear the chicken breasts in a hot pan before placing them in the slow cooker, although it is not strictly necessary for this recipe.

If you choose to sear, ensure the chicken is only lightly browned on the outside to maintain tenderness. This extra step adds a layer of complexity to the sauce base.

If you find the sauce is slightly too thin after adding the crème fraîche, you can continue to cook it on the high setting with the lid off for 5 to 10 minutes to reduce it slightly. Keep a close watch during this time to ensure the sauce does not become too thick or separate from the chicken fibers.

Variations

• Mushroom Dijon Chicken: Add two cups of sliced cremini mushrooms to the slow cooker at the beginning of the process. The mushrooms will absorb the wine and mustard sauce, adding an earthy depth to the final dish.
• Lemon Herb Chicken: Add the zest of one lemon along with the crème fraîche at the end. The bright citrus notes provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, creamy sauce and the pungent Dijon mustard.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cool to room temperature within 2 hours before refrigerating.

Freezer

Freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating gently on the stove.

Reheat

Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce if necessary, until warmed through.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Ensure the chicken has cooled to room temperature, but do not leave it out for more than 2 hours. When reheating, do so gently over low heat on the stove, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened too much in the fridge.

This dish is excellent for making ahead of time. The flavors often meld and improve after sitting in the refrigerator overnight. Simply prepare the chicken through the shredding step, cool it completely, and store it.

When ready to eat, reheat the chicken gently and stir in the crème fraîche and fresh tarragon just before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor.

Serving ideas

Serve this creamy chicken over a bed of hot, buttered egg noodles to soak up the luxurious sauce. The soft texture of the noodles complements the tender chicken perfectly.

Alternatively, for a lighter option, serve it over steamed green beans or roasted asparagus. A side of crusty French bread is also highly recommended to ensure none of the delicious sauce is wasted.

When plating, consider a final garnish of fresh tarragon leaves or a small twist of lemon zest to brighten the dish.

The lemon provides a subtle citrus note that cuts through the richness of the crème fraîche and enhances the flavor of the mustard. Serve immediately while hot to ensure the best consistency and temperature for the creamy sauce.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Creamy Dijon Tarragon Chicken: A French Bistro Classic

Prep 10 minCook 4 hRest 5 minTotal 4 h 15 minServes 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces chicken breasts
• 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup Sauvignon Blanc white wine
• 2 tbsp minced shallots
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup crème fraîche
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon leaves

Instructions

1. Place the chicken breasts into the bottom of the slow cooker insert. Add the Dijon mustard, white wine, minced shallots, and minced garlic over the chicken. Ensure the ingredients are distributed evenly to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat during the slow cooking process.
2. Close the lid of the slow cooker and set it to cook on LOW for 4 hours. Once the time is up, use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C). The chicken should be very tender and easily pull apart with two forks.
3. After shredding the chicken directly in the pot using two forks, add the crème fraîche and chopped fresh tarragon. Swirl the ingredients together until the sauce is smooth, velvety, and fully incorporated with the shredded chicken. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Contains: milk, mustard, sulfites

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

380

Protein

35 g

Carbohydrates

8 g

Fat

22 g

Fiber

1 g

Sugar

3 g

Sodium

450 mg

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.