An elegant entrée in about 15 minutes — using ingredients you are likely to have on hand. Serve the chicken with mashed potatoes and baby peas or a Bibb lettuce salad for a balanced weeknight meal. Finish with a raspberry tart from the bakery.
4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup finely chopped shallots
1/3 cup dry vermouth
2 tablespoons whole grain Dijon mustard
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sauté until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to platter. Tent with aluminum foil to keep warm.
Add shallots to same skillet and sauté 1 minute. Add vermouth and mustard and bring to simmer. Add cream and 1 1/2 tablespoons tarragon. Simmer until slightly thickened, stirring often, about 3 minutes. Return chicken and any accumulated juices to skillet. Simmer until chicken is heated through, about 1 minute.
Transfer chicken and sauce to platter. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon tarragon and serve.
Makes 4 servings.
