ORANGE TARRAGON CHICKEN DINNER

RECIPES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL ALL NOSTALGIC AND LONG FOR THE GOOD OLD DAYS WHEN THINGS WERE SIMPLE AND EASY.

Thank goodness for chicken when you need a good and easy dinner and you don't feel like standing over a hot stove or cooking something that takes all day long. Chicken is always welcome at the dinner table and besides, you can do so many different things with it. Everyone has their own favorite chicken recipe of which there must be thousands. Some people won't eat anything but the white meat of a chicken breast which is the way it happens to be at my house and which is why I usually don't use any other kind of chicken meat. This recipe would probably be just as good using thigh meat; I just don't usually buy it because no one around here will eat it. However, chicken meat aside, this is one of those dinners that you can fix when you don't want to think too much or go out on a limb and try something really exotic, but you'd like something a little different to brighten up your day and give you something to look forward to when all is said and done. so, on with the Orange Tarragon Chicken Dinner!

2 large chicken breasts

2 T. olive oil

1 tsp. seasoning salt

2 medium oranges

1 T. dried tarragon

2 T. corn starch

2 C. water

1 tsp. salt

1 C. rice

1. Pour the olive oil over the chicken breasts that have been placed in a heavy cooking pot.

2. Season the chicken with the seasoning salt.

3. Juice one of the oranges and pour the juice over the chicken. Sprinkle the tarragon over the chicken.

4. Cover the pot and cook at 250 degrees for one hour. While the chicken is baking, cook the rice in the water with 1 tsp. salt. Any kind of rice will do, but if you use brown rice, plan on taking at least one hour for it to steam. Brown rice always takes longer than white rice. Don't ask me why.

5. Now juice one half of the second orange. Pour it into a small bowl and add the cornstarch. Then add this to the juices left in the pot from the chicken and bring to a boil.

6. Cut the remaining 1/2 orange into thin slices. Cut the chicken breasts diagonally. Put the chicken over the rice on a serving platter. Place the orange pieces on top and pour the thickened juice over the top.

This has a very mild taste. The orange juice and tarragon are a wonderful combination. Plus, it will make you look like a real professional when you bring it to the table. Serves 2-3 people. Enjoy!