Description

This Lighter Creamy Tarragon Chicken recipe features tender, pan-seared chicken breasts served in a luscious yet light sauce made with low-fat Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and fresh tarragon. Perfect for a healthy and flavorful weeknight dinner, this dish combines aromatic shallots, garlic, and a hint of lemon for a bright, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 5.3 oz each)
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons olive oil

Sauce

1 small shallot, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup low-fat Greek yogurt
½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried)
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

Prepare Chicken: Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor.
Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until they develop a golden-brown crust and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet, cover loosely with foil, and set aside to keep warm.
Sauté Aromatics: Lower the heat to medium. Add the finely chopped shallot to the same skillet and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until softened and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
Deglaze Pan: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth while scraping the browned bits off the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to incorporate all the flavorful residue. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
Add Sauce Ingredients: Reduce the heat to low. Whisk in the Dijon mustard, low-fat Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and half of the chopped fresh tarragon. Stir gently until the sauce is smooth and evenly warmed, ensuring it does not boil to prevent yogurt from curdling.
Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the seared chicken breasts to the skillet, coating them thoroughly with the creamy tarragon sauce. Allow to simmer together for 2 to 3 minutes so the chicken absorbs the sauce flavors and is heated through.
Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the remaining chopped tarragon and fresh parsley over the top just before serving for a burst of fresh herbal aroma and attractive presentation.

Notes

Use low-fat Greek yogurt to keep the sauce creamy yet light without adding excess fat.
Do not let the sauce boil after adding yogurt to avoid curdling.
Fresh tarragon is preferred for best flavor, but dried tarragon can be substituted if necessary.
Chicken breasts can be substituted with boneless, skinless thighs if preferred, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, quinoa, or brown rice for a balanced meal.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: tarragon chicken, creamy chicken recipe, healthy chicken dinner, low-fat chicken, Greek yogurt sauce