Chicken Fricassée with Mushrooms and Tarragon

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A classic French fricassée featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a creamy mushroom sauce enriched with fresh tarragon. This french-inspired chicken ready in about 55 minutes pairs bone-in, skin removed chicken thighs, unsalted butter, sliced button mushrooms for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 French cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 skinless bone-in chicken thighs. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken for 5 minutes per side until golden, then remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet. Sauté 2 finely chopped shallots and 2 minced garlic cloves for 2 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Add 8 oz sliced button mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until softened and browned.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle 2 tbsp all-purpose flour over the mushrooms and stir for 1 minute to form a roux.
  5. Step 5: Gradually pour in 1/2 cup dry white wine and 1 cup chicken broth, stirring to combine and thicken the sauce.
  6. Step 6: Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  7. Step 7: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream and 2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon. Cook uncovered for 5 more minutes until the sauce thickens and coats the chicken.
  8. Step 8: Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Chicken Fricassée with Mushrooms and Tarragon take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chicken Fricassée with Mushrooms and Tarragon?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chicken Fricassée with Mushrooms and Tarragon?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chicken Fricassée with Mushrooms and Tarragon for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Chicken Fricassée with Mushrooms and Tarragon?

French chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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