Roasted on a bed of coarsely chopped vegetables, these chicken breasts take on the sweet flavor of the fresh tarragon that is inserted between the skin and the meat. The overall flavor of the dish is enhanced by the orange and tarragon infused sauce. Serve it directly fron1 the oven, with a dark green salad, crusty bread, and an Oregon Pinot Noir.

• Wine: Oregon Pinot Noir
• Beer: American pale ale

Ingredients
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
• Juice of 1 large orange
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• I tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 4 carrots, peeled, halved lengthwise, and cut into 2 inch lengths
• I pound white new potatoes, halved
• 4 large ripe plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise and seeded
• 4 small whole chicken breasts (about 3/4 pound each), with skin and bones, rinsed and patted dry
• 8 sprigs fresh tarragon

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.

2. Mince the garlic with the salt, and place the mixture in a small bowl. Add the orange zest, orange juice, olive oil, chopped tarragon, and pepper. Mix well and set aside.

3. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, and blanch the carrots and potatoes for 5 minutes. Drain, and place in a bowl. Add the tomatoes to the bowl, and set aside.

4. Remove any excess fat from the chicken breasts, and place a large sprig of tarragon under the skin of each breast. Replace the skin neatly. Brush the breasts well with the reserved orange mixture.

5. Add any remaining orange mixture to the vegetables and toss well. Place the vegetables in a 13 x 9 x 2 inch oven table baking dish. Arrange the chicken breasts on top in a decorative row. Bake for 40 minutes, basting the breasts once or twice with the pan juices. Test for doneness by cutting into the thickest part of a breast. The juices should run clear. Serve immediately, spooning out some vegetables and a whole breast onto each plate.

Serves 4

From USA Cookbook, by Sheila Lukins. New York: Workman Press, 1997.