Sear-Charred Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Tarragon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-12 · Updated 2026-04-12

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy chicken thighs caramelized with lemon and fresh tarragon, finished with a glossy herb butter that clings to every bite. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, avocado oil, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 2 American cuisine 580 cal/serving

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Ingredients

12 oz, skin-on chicken thighs
2 tbsp avocado oil
1, zested and juiced lemon
3 tbsp, finely chopped fresh tarragon
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
Step 2: Heat avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and sear undisturbed for 8 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Step 3: Flip chicken, add lemon zest and juice to the skillet, and transfer to a preheated 400°F oven. Roast for 15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 4: Remove chicken, tent with foil, and pour pan drippings into a small bowl. Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 tbsp fresh tarragon to the drippings, whisking until melted and emulsified. Pour sauce over chicken and serve immediately.