In spring and summer meals need to be adaptable. Tarragon Marinated Chicken is a perfect example of food flexibility. It’s good both hot and cold and easily shuffles from dining table to lunchbox to picnic. If you’ve never tried tarragon, then you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The flavour is unique and wonderful. It’s a little like aniseed, but more sophisticated, elegant and curious. It perfectly complements the tenderness of a chicken breast. This marinade is simple, but the flavour is decisive. Your only challenge may be finding tarragon, so my best advice is to grow your own.

How to Grow Tarragon or “Dragoncello”

In Italy,  the noun for Tarragon is “Dragoncello” and I have to say I like the Italian best. It’s so evocative of, well, dragons and cello’s. It grows easily in a pot, and, like mint, it spreads it’s roots underground so it’s a good idea to contain it. It dies back in winter and then in springtime it shoots back up again. Within a month you can cut the feathery fronds and use them fresh for cooking. It’s a hardy herb. You can dig in to release a few stems with roots and give them to your friends. I can’t remember exactly when I bought my plant and transplanted it, but I’d say it’s currently about 8 years old.

Tarragon Marinated Chicken for Natural Health and Healing

Having fresh herbs in your garden or in pots is the best way to transform your meals from mundane to fabulous. And herbs generally are great sources of phytonutrients with medicinal properties.

Tarragon has a potent range of natural health benefits. According to this post, tarragon is one of the highest herb sources of antioxidants. It’s various essential oils and compounds  are believed to stimulate apetite, reduce symptoms of anorexia, lower blood sugar levels and prevent clot formation, thus lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Tarragon is high in vitamins C, A, B2 (riboflavin), B6 (pyridoxine), B3 (niacin) and folates.

It’s also high in the minerals calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and manganese.

So, apart from using it for marinades, snip off the fresh leaves and add them to your  green salad.

Because this recipe for Tarragon Marinated Chicken is simple and one of my favorites, you’ll find it in my recipe collection, “Easy & Essential Paleo Recipes for Busy People”.

On the Side

More recipes using fresh garden herbs.

Moroccan Inspired “Cous Cous” Salad with Carrot, Dates and Mint – Absolutely brilliant for a summer barbecue!

Midsummer Pickled Zucchini Salad – Again, with Carrots and Fresh Mint, because they go so well together.

White Fish in a Creamy Coconut Sauce – The main herb here is fresh thyme. We love this.

If you love this recipe for Tarragon Marinated Chincken, be a sweet and spread the love! Pop back, give it a good rating and share it on your Social.

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