This slow cooker 4-ingredient creamy tarragon chicken is the kind of quiet little miracle that gets you through a busy spring week. My sister first made it for me after church one April Sunday, and I couldn’t believe something this silky and elegant came from just four ingredients and almost no effort. It leans on the old Midwestern trick of letting the slow cooker do the work, but the fresh tarragon gives it a bright, almost French countryside perfume. The chicken turns fall-apart tender, bathing in a pale yellow, velvety sauce that tastes like you fussed all afternoon, even though it practically makes itself.
Serve this creamy tarragon chicken spooned over hot buttered egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or simple white rice so all those rich juices have somewhere to soak in. A side of bright green peas, asparagus, or steamed green beans balances the richness and keeps that spring feeling on the plate. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette and a basket of warm dinner rolls or crusty bread for mopping up the sauce makes this feel like Sunday supper, even on a Tuesday night.
Slow Cooker Creamy Tarragon ChickenServings: 6
Ingredients
2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 (10.5-ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup chopped fresh tarragon leaves, plus extra for garnish
Directions
Lay the boneless, skinless chicken breasts in an even layer in the bottom of a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. If any pieces are very thick, you can cut them in half so they cook evenly and shred more easily later.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed cream of chicken soup and the heavy cream until smooth and well blended. Stir in the chopped fresh tarragon leaves.
Pour the creamy tarragon mixture evenly over the chicken, making sure all the pieces are coated. Use a spoon to nudge the sauce down around the sides so it reaches the bottom of the slow cooker.
Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, or on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, until the chicken is very tender and easily pulls apart with a fork. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking so the heat and steam stay trapped inside.
When the chicken is done, use two forks to shred it directly in the slow cooker, pulling it into bite-size pieces. Stir well so the chicken is fully coated in the thick, pale yellow cream sauce speckled with tarragon.
Taste the sauce and adjust to your liking if desired with a pinch of salt or black pepper from your pantry, but it will be rich and flavorful as is. Let the shredded chicken sit in the hot sauce for about 5 minutes on the WARM setting so it can soak up even more flavor.
Just before serving, sprinkle a little extra chopped fresh tarragon over the top for a bright green, fresh finish. Serve the creamy tarragon chicken hot, spooned straight from the slow cooker, with plenty of sauce over your favorite side.
Variations & Tips
If you prefer darker meat, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in place of breasts; they will turn even more melt-in-your-mouth tender, though the sauce will be slightly richer. For a lighter version, you can swap the heavy cream for half-and-half, though the sauce will be a bit thinner and less velvety. If you enjoy a slight tang, stir in a spoonful of Dijon mustard from your pantry at the end of cooking for a bistro-style twist. To stretch the meal, add cooked egg noodles or rice directly into the slow cooker during the last 10 to 15 minutes on WARM so they soak up the sauce. Food safety tips: Always start with fully thawed chicken, never frozen, when using a slow cooker so it passes through the temperature “danger zone” quickly. Keep the lid on during cooking to maintain a safe, steady heat. Use a food thermometer if you’re unsure; the chicken should reach at least 165°F in the thickest part. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of cooking in shallow containers, and reheat gently until steaming hot before serving again.
