Cast Iron Skillet Cajun Chicken Thighs

Crispy Cajun chicken thighs in the cast iron skillet.  Preheat the skillet in the oven, sear on the stove top, then finish off back in the oven.  Perfect every time.

This past year, my mom gave me two cast iron skillets that were my dad's.  I actually think they were my grandmother's, that my dad eventually got.  My mom thinks they were a gift when they got married.  Regardless, I have them now and I've restored them and I'm using them more and more. 

One of my favorite things to make are chicken thighs.  It's in the technique and also the Cajun spices.  Cast Iron Skillet Cajun Chicken Thighs are so simple and so delicious.

Chicken thighs are definitely my family's favorite, and wings.  Breasts... not so much.  Although I do feel there is a time and place for chicken breasts, just not here, this way in the skillet.  Try these orange glazed chicken breasts the next time you have some breasts to use up.

The technique I mentioned is simply preheating the skillet in the oven for 30 minutes.  Just put it in the oven, then turn on the heat.  After 30 minutes, it's good and hot, but more importantly, it's evenly heated.  This makes for a perfect sear on the stove top.   Cast iron pans don't always heat up evenly, this ensures a perfect sear.  Also, here's a great article about cast iron care from the kitchn to check out.

I love Cajun spices and have a favorite local blend.  Use your favorite, or make your own, like this Creole Cajun Seasoning from Immaculate Bites.  A word of caution regarding salt.  My blend has NO SALT and thus I salt the chicken liberally.  If your blend has salt, adjust accordingly.  Without salt, even with the flavor and heat of the Cajun spices, the chicken will be bland, just sayin'.

Cast Iron Skillet Cajun Chicken Thighs are easy and delicious.  The pan drippings make a great sauce on their own, drizzled over the chicken or rice.  This is definitely a winner, winner, chicken dinner!  Kelly🍴🐦

Like Cajun spices?  Try these for dinner:

• Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta with Sausage
• Cajun Brown Sugar Salmon
• Creamy Cajun Pork Chops
• Cajun Macaroni Salad

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Cast Iron Skillet Cajun Chicken Thighs

Crispy Cajun chicken thighs in the cast iron skillet.  Preheat the skillet in the oven, sear on the stove top, then finish off back in the oven.  Perfect every time.

4.86 from 7 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 344kcal

Author: Kelly Wildenhaus

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Ingredients

• ▢ 6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
• ▢ 2 tablespoons Cajun spice mix (or Creole)
• ▢ Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper
• ▢ 1 tablespoon canola or olive oil

Instructions

• Place a large cast iron skillet in oven.  Turn heat on and set to 450°. Let skillet heat in oven for 30 minutes.
• Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towel. Season each side with salt and pepper. Sprinkle Cajun mix on bottom of thigh first, then flip and evenly coat the top, rubbing gently into skin.  Turn oven down to 400°.
  
• Place preheated skillet on stove top over medium heat.  Add the oil and swirl over bottom.  Add the chicken thighs, skin side down, to the pan and sear until brown, almost black, about 4 - 6 minutes.  Turn thighs and brown other side for 2 - 4 more minutes.
• Place skillet back in 400 degree oven and bake until cooked through and juices run clear, about 30 - 40 minutes, depending on size of thighs.  Remove to plate, defat pan drippings, and serve with pan juices on the side or drizzled over chicken.

Recipe Notes

You can use 4 - 6 thighs, depending on size and what will fit in your skillet.

The technique I mentioned is simply preheating the skillet in the oven for 30 minutes.  Just put it in the oven, then turn on the heat.  After 30 minutes, it’s good and hot, but more importantly, it’s evenly heated.  This makes for a perfect sear on the stove top.   Cast iron pans don’t always heat up evenly, this ensures a perfect sear.

Nutrition

Calories: 344kcal Carbohydrates: 2g Protein: 24g Fat: 27g Saturated Fat: 7g Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g Monounsaturated Fat: 11g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 142mg Sodium: 113mg Potassium: 349mg Fiber: 1g Sugar: 1g Vitamin A: 1262IU Vitamin C: 1mg Calcium: 17mg Iron: 1mg

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