TARRAGON CHICKEN PAILLARDS

Source: BBQ USA by Steven Raichlen (Workman Publishing, 2003)
Method: Direct
Yield: Serves 4
Advance Preparation: 30 minutes for marinating the chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (each 6 to 8 ounces)
1 clove garlic, minced,
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup grape or baby cherry tomatoes (cut cherry tomatoes in half)
6 to 8 cups mesclun, rinsed and spun dry
4 fresh tarragon sprigs, for garnish
4 lemon wedges, for serving

You’ll also need:
2 cups wood chips or chunks (optional; preferably oak), unsoaked

1. Trim any sinews or excess fat off the breasts and discard. Rinse the breasts under cold running water, then drain (don’t blot dry; the breasts should be damp). Place each breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Pound it out into a broad flat sheet 1/4 to 1/8-inch thick, using a scallopini pounder or the side of a heavy cleaver. Repeat with the remaining breasts. Place the breasts on a rimmed nonstick baking sheet.

2. Place the garlic, salt, black pepper, and hot red pepper flakes in the bottom of a large nonreactive mixing bowl and mash to a paste with the back of a wooden spoon. Add the mustard, 1 tablespoon of the chopped tarragon, and the lemon juice and vinegar, and whisk to mix. Gradually whisk in the olive oil; the mixture will thicken. Pour a quarter of this vinaigrette over the chicken breasts, patting it onto the chicken with a fork. Turn the breasts over, pour another quarter of the vinaigrette on top, and pat it onto the chicken with a fork. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator, covered, for 30 minutes. Set the remaining vinaigrette aside. You’ll use it to dress the salad.

3. Just before you set up the grill, place the tomatoes, mesclun, and the remaining chopped tarragon, in that order, in the bowl with the remaining dressing, but don’t toss them together.

4. Set up the grill for direct grilling and preheat to high. If using a gas grill, place all of the wood chips or chunks, if desired, in the smoker box or in a smoker pouch and run the grill on high until you see smoke. If using a charcoal grill, preheat it to high, then toss all of the wood chips or chunks, if desired, on the coals.

5. When ready to cook, brush and oil the grill grate. Arrange the paillards on the hot grate, placing them on a diagonal to the bars. Grill the paillards until cooked through, about 2 minutes per side, rotating each a quarter turn after 1 minute to create an attractive crosshatch of grill marks, if desired (use a long, wide spatula to turn over the paillards). To test for doneness, poke a paillard with your finger; it should feel firm to the touch.

6. Transfer the grilled paillards to a platter or plates. Quickly toss the salad and mound it on top of the paillards. Garnish with the tarragon sprigs and serve at once with the lemon wedges.