Chicken With Tarragon Cream Sauce

A touch of lemon-tarragon cream elevates simply sauteed chicken breasts. Serve accompanied by whole-wheat egg noodles, rice pilaf or parslied boiled new potatoes. Ingredients Juice of 1 lemon 1/3 cup heavy cream 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 1 teaspoon plus 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, divided 1 teaspoon plus 1 tablespoon butter, divided 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, (about 1 1/2 pounds), trimmed 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper 1 teaspoon peanut or canola oil 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided, plus more as needed 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed 3 tablespoons finely minced fresh tarragon, or dill, plus sprigs for garnish Instructions Step 1 Combine lemon juice and cream in a small bowl. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mash 1 teaspoon flour and 1 teaspoon butter in another small bowl until a paste forms. Set both bowls aside. Step 2 Dry chicken thoroughly with paper towels. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and white pepper. Dredge lightly in the remaining 1/2 cup flour, shaking off any excess. (Discard leftover flour.) Step 3 Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon butter and oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken—do not crowd the pan. Cook, turning once, until nicely browned on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Add 1/2 cup broth, reduce the heat and cover. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through, 4 to 6 minutes. (Check to make sure the pan juices don’t run dry. If necessary, add more broth, a tablespoonful at a time, to prevent scorching.) Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board and tent with foil. Step 4 Add the remaining 1/2 cup broth to the pan and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until reduced to about 1/4 cup, 2 to 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, add the reserved lemon cream and bring to a simmer. Gradually whisk in the reserved butter-flour paste, a few bits at a time, until the sauce coats the spoon, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in peas. Step 5 Reduce the heat to low and return the chicken to the pan along with tarragon (or dill). Turn to coat with the sauce and cook until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Slice the chicken and serve with the sauce, garnished with sprigs of tarragon (or dill), if desired.