Bistro Chicken with Bacon, Tarragon and Crème Fraîche

, from Issue #97. May, 2021
Photography by Josh Griggs.
Bistro Chicken with Bacon, Tarragon and Crème Fraîche

A classic French recipe I’ve been cooking for years, I never tire of it. A bowl of super creamy mashed potatoes and cooked green beans are the perfect accompaniments.

Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon each olive oil and butter
2 whole chicken legs(thigh and drumstick)
sea salt and ground pepper
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1½ cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
1 medium brown onion,finely chopped
4 rashers streaky bacon, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons crème fraîche
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley

METHOD

Heat the olive oil and butter in a sauté pan over a medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and cook, skin side down, for 10 minutes. Turn over and cook for 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Add the onion, bacon, tarragon, garlic and a pinch of salt to the pan. Cook until the onions are soft. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Add the chicken with any juices, cover and cook over a gentle heat until the chicken is fully cooked, about 15 minutes. Whisk together the mustards and crème fraîche, stir into the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Scatter over the parsley.