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Special Diet Information

Coumadin® (Warfarin)
This recipe is safe for Coumadin (warfarin) users.

Lactose
This recipe is safe for those who are lactose intolerant.

Sodium
This is a low sodium recipe.

GERD / Acid Reflux
No specific GERD triggers.

Gluten Sensitivity
This recipe is safe for those who are sensitive to gluten. Use gluten-free pasta in this dish.

 

"Time is an herb that cures all Diseases."
-Benjamin Franklin, Statesman

The refrigerator light goes on...

Tarragon is a perfect spice to be the featured flavor of a dish.  It is aromatic, fresh, herbaceous and a bit spicy.  It goes perfectly with the umami flavors of the mushrooms and chicken in this dish.

Tarragon can, however, be very strong if you use too much of it.  For each serving a rule of thumb is about a half teaspoon or less of fresh and about 1/8 teaspoon or less of dried.  The anise flavor can easily overwhelm a dish.

That said, scaling your recipe to a larger batch, to serve eight, for example, you might want a little bit extra but too much will make your dish taste bitter instead of it having that lovely aromatic flavor that tarragon imparts to a recipe.


 

Tarragon Mushroom Orzo with Chicken

Servings: 2 | Serving size: about 2 cups

Cooking Time: 30 Minutes

This recipe can easily be multiplied, is a meal all to itself, and makes good leftovers.

Tarragon Mushroom Orzo with Chicken

Ingredients

Spray a large skillet lightly with olive oil. Place over medium-high heat and add the mushrooms. Cook, tossing frequently, until the mushrooms are well browned. The more caramelized the mushrooms, the better the flavor will be. Add the tarragon to the mushrooms just as they are finished. Remove the mushrooms from the pan to a plate.

Place the water in a medium stock pot or large sauce pan over high heat. When the water is boiling add the orzo.

While the orzo is cooking add the olive oil to the large skillet and place over medium heat. Add the pinenuts and peas. Cook gently until the pinenuts just begin to turn brown, then add the chicken breast.

Cook, tossing frequently, until the chicken breast loses all of its pink on the outside. Add the chicken stock and the salt.

Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes. During this time the orzo should be done. Add about 1/4 cup of the pasta water to the skillet as the chicken cooks.

When the chicken is cooked through, add the yellow squash and toss well.

Drain the orzo and add it to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute and serve.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size: about 2 cups

Servings: 2

Amount Per Serving

Calories 600 Calories from Fat 198
% Daily Value
Total Fat 22g 28%
  Saturated Fat 3g 16%
  Monounsaturated Fat 10g
  Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 105mg 36%
Sodium 420mg 18%
Total Carbohydrates 65g 24%
    Dietary Fiber 12g 42%
    Sugars 11g
Protein 42g
Vitamin A 5% Vitamin C 44%
Calcium 7% Iron 32%
Vitamin K 30mcg Potassium 1900mg