This great recipe from Lucy Waverman uses one of my favourite spring herbs, tarragon, which is a terrific complement to chicken. Shallots, fresh mushrooms, and a delicious sauce boost the flavour even further. I used cremini, oyster, shiitake and Portobello mushrooms, but you can use any mixture. Try to use at least four different kinds, which will add complexity to the sauce.

Avoiding Additives and Preservatives

Look for butter with a single ingredient—cream. I used Imagine brand organic chicken stock and balsamic vinegar with no added sulfites. Instead of soy sauce, use tamari.

Sprinkle chicken with tarragon, salt and pepper

Sear chicken on top of the stove

Remove chicken and then saute mushrooms

The mushrooms will reduce in volume as they release their liquid

Add sauce ingredients and return chicken to pan

When chicken is done, remove it and let it rest while you add butter to finish the sauce

Pan-roasted chicken with mushrooms

Ingredients:

4 boneless chicken breasts, skin on, about 8 ounces (250 grams)

Salt and freshly ground pepper

1 ½ tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

¼ cup chopped shallots

1 ½ pounds mixed mushrooms

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

¾ cup chicken stock

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons cold butter cut in pieces

2 tablespoon chopped chives

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Season the chicken with salt, pepper and 1 teaspoon of tarragon. Heat the oil and butter in a large ovenproof skillet. Sear the chicken over medium-high heat for 3 minutes on each side or until golden. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.

Add shallots to skillet and return to heat. Sauté for 1 minute, then add mushrooms, garlic and remaining tarragon. Sauté for an additional 5 minutes or until mushrooms exude their juice and the juice begins to evaporate. Immediately add stock, balsamic vinegar and soy sauce. Boil together for 1 minute to combine flavours.

Return the chicken to the skillet and place in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes (depending on thickness) or until juices are clear. Remove chicken and keep warm. Stir in butter, piece by piece, until incorporated, with the pan off the heat.

Place the mushrooms and sauce on a serving plate and set the chicken on top. Garnish with chives.

From Lucy Waverman