The Managed Meal Sous Vide Chicken with Parsnip Puree and Tarragon Jus

- Have You Ever Battled The Dry Chicken Dread?
- Mastering Precision Temperature Cooking
- Achieving Restaurant Quality Chicken
- The Secret to Silky Sauce
- The Secret Kit for Perfect Chicken Breast Consistency
- Main Ingredients: Quality Over Quantity
- Seasoning & Flavour Management
- Gear Up: Essential Tools for Immersion Circulator Recipes
- Sous Vide Time and Temperature Chart Info
- The Secret to Seriously Moist Chicken: Temperature Management
- Mise En Place and The Managed Soak
- The Sous Vide Chicken Sear Technique
- Finishing Touches: Jus and Silky Puree
- Kitchen Chat: Making the Magic Last
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 📝 Recipe Card
Have You Ever Battled The Dry Chicken Dread?
Okay, hands up if you've ever battled a dry chicken breast? Seriously, it’s the bane of the home cook’s existence! I used to dread making chicken for guests because the margin for error is so tiny.
That’s why I am obsessed with this technique. We’re diving into The Managed Meal: Sous Vide Chicken with Parsnip Puree and Tarragon Jus .
This recipe is all about taking back control.
Mastering Precision Temperature Cooking
The magic word here is "managed." When you use an immersion circulator recipes setup, you are absolutely guaranteeing the perfect chicken breast consistency .
We are focusing on precision temperature cooking so that the chicken stays juicy and tender. It simply cannot overcook! This approach removes all the guesswork and stress from the main cook time.
I remember when I first bought my immersion circulator. It sat in the box for six months! I thought it was too fancy, like something only a professional chef would use.
Honestly, now I use it weekly. It’s surprisingly simple. Once you set the temperature, the process is completely managed . It’s the ultimate lazy cook’s trick for busy weeknights!
Achieving Restaurant Quality Chicken
While the water bath handles the internal temperature, the real fun comes in the finish. We pull the chicken out and give it a quick, high heat flash.
This sous vide chicken sear technique delivers maximum golden crust. It creates a beautiful depth of flavor. Plus, because the center is already cooked, you run zero risk of drying it out.
You get true restaurant quality chicken breast right in your own kitchen.
And the sides? Oh my gosh. We are skipping plain mashed potatoes. Instead, we create a ridiculously silky parsnip puree .
Parsnips are naturally sweet and earthy. They elevate the whole dish instantly.
The Secret to Silky Sauce
To complete our dish, we finish with a gorgeous French inspired Tarragon jus recipe . This sauce is simple but tastes complex.
We deglaze the pan right after searing the chicken, soaking up all those amazing flavor bits. Then we use the classic French Monté au beurre technique .
This just means whisking in cold butter at the very end. It makes the sauce glossy and rich, elevating the entire plate.
This meal is a showstopper, but don’t let the fancy names scare you off. The difficulty level is medium, mostly because you need managed cooking time recipe execution to ensure the puree, sauce, and sear finish together.
But the results are pure decadence. Did you know parsnips are packed with fiber? Plus, they add a lovely natural sweetness.
Get ready for the juiciest chicken you’ve ever made. Be sure to check out the sous vide time and temperature chart before you start!
The Secret Kit for Perfect Chicken Breast Consistency
Honestly, making fancy food at home usually feels like a massive faff, right? But with this managed cooking time recipe , the gear does most of the heavy lifting.
Did you know most home cooks accidentally overcook chicken by up to $15^
circ F$? Not us! We are aiming for precision temperature cooking .
Let’s look at what we need to nail this restaurant quality chicken breast .
Main Ingredients: Quality Over Quantity
We don't need much, but the quality of a few key items really counts here.
Start with great chicken. Four large boneless, skinless chicken breasts ( 800 g total) are our stars. Make sure they are trimmed well.
Pat them bone dry before seasoning. This prep work is essential for the sous vide magic.
For the silky parsnip puree , the secret is butter. Seriously. We use 4 Tbsp (60 g) of unsalted butter just for the root veg.
Use the good stuff European style butter makes a difference in texture and flavour. We also need 1 lb (450 g) each of parsnips and Yukon Gold potatoes.
Seasoning & Flavour Management
This is where we elevate simple chicken to a tarragon jus recipe . We are building layers.
Salt and pepper are obvious, but the real punch comes from the herbs. A sprig of fresh thyme in the sous vide bag adds a deep, subtle flavour that you can’t quite put your finger on.
For the sauce, fresh tarragon is non-negotiable. It’s what makes the jus French and delicious. Don't skip the step where we whisk in that final cold tablespoon of butter ( 15 g ).
That method, called monté au beurre technique , is what gives the sauce its rich shine and thickness. It makes the perfect chicken breast consistency even better.
Gear Up: Essential Tools for Immersion Circulator Recipes
You can’t make this recipe without the star player: the immersion circulator . If you’ve never used one, you’re missing out. It manages the water temperature perfectly.
You also need a reliable container for the water bath. I started using my biggest soup pot, which worked fine.
If you are serious about immersion circulator recipes , invest in a dedicated container.
For the final step, grab your heaviest skillet, ideally cast iron. This ensures a proper sous vide chicken sear technique .
Remember: the pan must be screaming hot. That is crucial for achieving the crust we want without cooking the chicken further.
Sous Vide Time and Temperature Chart Info
We set the circulator to 145° F ( 63° C) . That precise temperature is what ensures the safety and incredibly juicy texture of the meat.
Because the sous vide process is so perfectly managed , you have a long window. Cook it for at least 1 hour 15 minutes .
Honestly, the best challenge I managed to overcome was trusting that low temperature. Trust the process! You will get the most tender chicken ever.
The Secret to Seriously Moist Chicken: Temperature Management
Right, let's stop accepting dry, sad chicken! Seriously. For years, I struggled to get a truly juicy chicken breast without leaving the middle raw.
Then I met the immersion circulator. It sounds like something from a spaceship, but trust me, mastering these immersion circulator recipes is dead simple.
This method is pure control. We are doing some next level precision temperature cooking here. It might sound cheffy, but it’s actually the easiest way to guarantee a perfect meal.
Mise En Place and The Managed Soak
First, the prep is quick and essential. Get your water bath going. Set that baby to 145° F ( 63° C) .
That number might look low on a traditional sous vide time and temperature chart , but trust me, it guarantees the juiciest results for four large breasts.
Pat your chicken dry and season it like you mean it. Salt needs to get friendly with the meat! Pop the breasts into your bags.
Now, into the warm tub they go for a minimum of 1 hour 15 minutes . This is what makes this a managed cooking time recipe .
Because the temperature is completely managed , you literally cannot overcook the chicken. This is how we achieve that magical perfect chicken breast consistency .
The Sous Vide Chicken Sear Technique
Once the timer sings, we move quickly. Remove the bags and take the chicken out. Crucial step : Pat them bone dry .
Seriously, this single step is the difference between a golden crust and a sad, grey steamed piece of meat.
Heat up your heavy pan until it is screaming hot. Add the oil and butter. When the butter foams and subsides, drop the dry chicken in.
This Sous vide chicken sear technique is fast. We are aiming for 60 90 seconds per side. Baste, flip, and remove.
We are just building a crispy jacket, not cooking the meat further! This rapid sear creates a beautiful, deep crust, giving you a true restaurant quality chicken breast .
Finishing Touches: Jus and Silky Puree
While the chicken rests, use that hot pan immediately! Those brown bits stuck to the bottom (that's the fond ) are pure flavour gold.
Scrape them up vigorously when you deglaze with the wine. That forms the base for our simple, gorgeous tarragon jus recipe .
As the jus reduces it only takes about five to seven minutes get the sides ready. Blitz up that smooth, silky parsnip puree .
Use a ricer if you have one; avoid blending too much or it turns gluey! Finish the sauce with a knob of cold butter whisked in off the heat.
That classic monté au beurre technique gives the jus a glorious, luxurious shine.
Honestly, coordinating the heat, the reduction, and the pureeing is the hardest part. But when you plate this, it's all worth it! You’ll never go back to dry chicken again, you know?
Kitchen Chat: Making the Magic Last
Okay, so you’ve just nailed the main event. Honestly, that sous vide chicken sear technique is the hardest bit, timing wise.
Give yourself a pat on the back! Now for the easy stuff how to present it, store it, and switch it up for next time.
How to Plate Your Showstopper
Plating this dish makes you feel like a proper chef. You really achieved a restaurant quality chicken breast . That silky parsnip puree is your perfect base layer.
Grab a spoon and make a nice swoosh or just a simple dollop in the middle. Slice the perfectly cooked chicken thinly on an angle.
Then fan those slices out right over the puree. Drizzle that amazing, fragrant Tarragon jus recipe around the edges, letting it pool.
Do not smother the chicken! We want to show off that beautiful, golden crust you worked so hard for. For sides, think bright: simple garlicky green beans or blanched asparagus are ideal.
They add a necessary pop of colour, you know?
Storage and Reheat Tips
The best thing about precision temperature cooking is the promise of amazing leftovers if you have any! Store the chicken and puree separately in airtight containers.
They will happily sit in the fridge for up to three days.
Reheating is crucial, though. You worked hard for that perfect chicken breast consistency . Don't ruin it by nuking it! Reheat the puree gently on the stove or in the microwave.
For the chicken, wrap it in foil and pop it in a cool oven (about 300° F or 150° C ) for 10 15 minutes.
This is a very managed cooking time recipe for leftovers, too! Keeping the temperature low ensures the meat stays moist without drying out.
Swaps and Adaptations
Life happens, right? You might be missing an ingredient or need a dietary tweak.
If you need this dairy-free, you absolutely can! Swap the cream for full fat coconut milk (the kind in the can, not the carton) in the puree.
You won't believe how good and creamy it is. For the sauce, use a plant based butter for the finishing Monté au beurre technique .
These immersion circulator recipes are incredibly adaptable once you master the core method.
If parsnips aren’t your thing, try swede or celeriac for the puree base. It’s got that lovely sweet earthy vibe. You can use any reliable sous vide time and temperature chart to adapt this approach to pork chops or duck breast, too.
Nutrition Notes (Keep it Simple)
No crazy calorie counting here. This meal is high protein and super satisfying. Because the sous vide method retains so much natural moisture, we didn't need to load it up with extra oils during the cook.
Parsnips bring good fibre and natural vitamins, making this a delicious way to eat your root vegetables. We’ve really managed to create a complex flavour profile without relying on excess fat.
You totally crushed this fancy meal! Go enjoy the fruits of your labour. You deserve it!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the magic temperature for perfectly safe and tender chicken using the sous vide method?
For moist, perfectly pasteurized chicken that avoids that stringy, dry texture, we recommend setting your immersion circulator to 145°F (63°C). Because the chicken cooks at this precise temperature for over an hour, it reaches full pasteurization, making it incredibly safe and resulting in a texture far superior to conventionally baked chicken.
Think of it as 'set it and forget it' safety!
My chicken is already cooked, why do I need to sear it? Isn't that just overkill?
Absolutely not! The sous vide process ensures the chicken is cooked through, but searing is essential for flavour and texture, turning a perfectly fine piece of protein into a masterpiece.
You need that quick blast of high heat to achieve the Maillard reaction, creating a cracking golden crust that adds complexity against the tender interior. Remember to pat the chicken bone dry first any moisture will stop the sear dead in its tracks.
How do I ensure all components of this 'managed' meal chicken, puree, and jus finish at the same time?
The trick to managing this meal efficiently is timing the active steps. While the chicken is passively cooking in the water bath, prepare and cook the parsnip puree base. Once the chicken is out and drying, you have about 15 minutes of crucial action: use the time the sauce reduces (5 7 minutes) to quickly finish the puree (passing it through the ricer and adding the warm liquids).
This means your sauce and side are ready just as the seared chicken is resting, making plating seamless.
How do I stop my parsnip and potato puree from turning into that awful, gluey texture?
The cardinal sin of puree is overworking the starch! After draining the boiled vegetables, let them steam for a few minutes to evaporate excess water this is crucial. For the silkiest texture (what we are aiming for here), use a potato ricer or food mill rather than a food processor, as the latter releases too much starch.
Finally, use warmed milk and cold butter added incrementally for a smooth, glossy, and non-starchy finish.
Can I prep the chicken or the sauce ahead of time, or is this strictly a cook and-serve dish?
This is a great dish for planning ahead! The chicken can be cooked sous vide up to 4 days in advance; just remove it from the bath and immediately plunge the sealed bag into an ice bath for 10 minutes before refrigerating.
For the puree, you can boil and rice the vegetables ahead of time, then simply reheat and finish with the warm liquids and butter right before serving. However, the tarragon jus must be made fresh after the sear, as the fond (the brown bits in the pan) is essential for its depth of flavour.
The Managed Meal Sous Vide Chicken With Parsnip

Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 575 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 55 g |
| Fat | 32.5 g |
| Carbs | 20 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |