PAN-SEARED CHICKEN WITH TARRAGON BUTTER SAUCE

Pan-Seared Chicken with Tarragon Butter Sauce image

Yield Makes 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/4 cup finely chopped shallot (1 large)
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/3 cup dry white wine
2 lb thin-sliced skinless boneless chicken breasts (also called cutlets)
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/8 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Steps:

Cook shallot in 1 tablespoon butter in a small heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add wine and boil until most of liquid is evaporated, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
Pat chicken dry and sprinkle all over with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté chicken in 3 or 4 batches, turning over once, until golden and just cooked through, about 2 minutes per batch. Transfer as cooked to a platter and keep warm, loosely covered with foil.
Return shallot mixture to moderately low heat and add remaining 3 tablespoons butter, 1 cube at a time, whisking until incorporated. Remove from heat and whisk in tarragon, parsley, lemon juice, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Spoon sauce over chicken.