Oven Roasted Chicken with Tarragon Butter and Vegetable Gratin

Make Tarragon Butter:

Preheat oven to 200°C. Mince tarragon and shallot. Combine the tarragon, minced shallot and 1½ tablespoons of butter in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper and mix well.

Stuff Chicken:

Pat dry chicken with paper towel. Gently separate the skin from breast and place a tablespoon of tarragon butter underneath. Use your fingers to spread the butter under the skin. Season chicken with salt and pepper.

Prepare & Cook Vegetable:

Wash the fresh produce. Trim ends off the peas and cut in half. Small dice ½ the onion you will have remainder. Cut the woody ends off the asparagus, then cut into 2 cm pieces. Slice the mushrooms and carrots. Cook the diced onion in a large pan with ½ tablespoon butter over medium heat. When the onion is soft, add the carrots and mushrooms. Let cook for 3 minutes.

Make Sauce and Finish Vegetables:

Add the milk, and when the milk starts to bubble and gets thick, add half of the cheese. Finally, stir in asparagus and peas. Season with salt and pepper.

Assemble Gratin:

Place the vegetable mixture in an oven proof baking dish. Top with the remaining grated cheese and the bread crumbs. Bake in the oven until the top is golden brown and the sauce is bubbling, about 5-10 minutes.

Cook Chicken and You Plate It:

While gratin cooks, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chicken, skin side down, and cook until golden brown, about 6-7 minutes. Turn and cook through on the second side, another 6-7 minutes. Serve chicken alongside your vegetable gratin. Enjoy!