Published 8/28/2023 • Updated 9/7/2023 Leave it to your trusty cast iron to get crispy chicken thighs that are full of delicious flavor! If you have ever struggled to achieve the perfect taste and texture for your chicken thighs, this amazing chicken thighs recipe will be your golden ticket to dinner heaven. All you need is a cast-iron skillet and a healthy appetite.
Cast Iron Chicken Recipe – What You Need
Bone-in chicken thighs: we recommend using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the best results. Seasoning mix: a mix of garlic powder, kosher salt, light brown sugar, black pepper, and paprika make this chicken super flavorful. Avocado oil: a great heart-healthy oil with a high smoke point — perfect for the cast iron. Butter: we used unsalted butter for this recipe. If you only have salted, go lighter on the salt for the chicken seasoning. Onion & garlic: these veggies are sautéed to make a flavorful base for baking the chicken. Chicken broth: we used chicken broth to deglaze the pan and keep the inside of the chicken nice and moist. Chives: our garnish of choice for the chicken — it really levels up the dish!
Can you use boneless chicken thighs for this recipe?
We do not recommend using boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. If you must use boneless thighs, skip the oven portion of the method and only sear the thighs on the stovetop, make the sauce, and return the thighs back to the pan and serve.
Top Tips for Cast Iron Chicken Thighs Recipe
Avoid placing the chicken thighs on the pan cold. This may cause the chicken to stick to the hot cast iron skillet. We do not recommend using boneless skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. If you must use boneless thighs, skip the oven portion of the recipe. You’ll only need to sear the thighs on the stovetop, make the sauce, and return the thighs back to the pan before serving. Season the chicken thighs well. Generously rubbing the seasoning into the skin will give you more flavor and a better crust on your finished dish.
Storage
Store any leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Let rest: Remember that after cooking chicken let it rest for 5 minutes so that the internal temperature can continue to rise around 5ºF. Cast Iron Pan
Chicken Thigh Recipes
Looking for more ways to cook chicken thighs? Here are our top tutorials for every cooking method.
Stovetop Chicken Thighs Dutch Oven Chicken Thighs Cast Iron Chicken Thighs Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Grilled Chicken Thighs Baked Chicken Thighs Instant Pot Chicken Thighs Sous Vide Chicken Thighs Smoked Chicken Thighs
To reheat, place in the oven at 350°F and bake until heated through or when the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Serving Suggestions
These cast iron chicken thighs have so much flavor you could easily enjoy them on their own. However, these bold flavors pair wonderfully with a good neutral side dish like our Sticky Rice and Mashed Sweet Potatoes. This skillet chicken recipe also tastes fantastic with complimentary flavors like our Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, Roasted Broccoli, and Balsamic Sea Salt Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
