Grilled Chicken with Tarragon Butter

4.0
(1)

I prepare this dish inside on my stovetop gas grill in winter and outdoors on my gas or charcoal grill in summer. Make sure your grill is very clean, or the chicken will stick. The bird is grilled long enough so that most of the fat in the skin drains away, and it is then transferred to a warm oven to finish cooking in its own juices. A delicious tarragon butter, dotted on the chicken at serving time, replicates the flavor of a bearnaise sauce.

Prep Time:
20 mins
Cook Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ tablespoons olive oil, divided

  • ¾ teaspoon salt, divided

  • 1 (3 pound) chicken, quartered, drumsticks and thighs separated

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon

  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Directions

  1. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat. Preheat oven to 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).

  2. Spread 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt over the chicken pieces.

  3. Place chicken pieces skin-side down on the hot grill; cook until browned, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes for the breasts and 30 minutes for the leg pieces. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Transfer to a baking sheet and keep warm in the preheated oven.

  4. Combine remaining 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, butter, tarragon, and lemon juice in a food processor; blend until smooth.

  5. Divide grilled chicken pieces among 4 serving plates. Dot each serving with about 1 tablespoon of the tarragon butter.

Editor's Note:

From "Poulets & Legumes: My Favorite Chicken & Vegetable Recipes" (2016) by Jacques Pepin. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Rux Martin Books. All rights reserved.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

575 Calories
40g Fat
1g Carbs
51g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 575
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 40g 51%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 220mg 73%
Sodium 588mg 26%
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 51g 103%
Vitamin C 2mg 3%
Calcium 36mg 3%
Iron 3mg 18%
Potassium 424mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.