Crispy Skillet Roasted Chicken Thighs
Last updated on July 2nd, 2026
These super simple Crispy Skillet Roasted Chicken Thighs require just 5 minutes prep time making them ideal for busy weeknights. The result is juicy, perfectly tender chicken with deliciously crispy skin every time.
Okay, this is just a quick one, but I promise it’s a total game changer. This recipe has been tested over many years and is hands down my favourite way to prepare chicken portions without using a grill.
Here’s everything you’ll need to make these Crispy Skillet Roasted Chicken Thighs
- 4-6 chicken thighs, legs or breasts
- Kosher or fine sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
That’s it! That is all you need to make the best skillet roasted chicken on a busy weeknight.
🍗 The secret to extra crispy skin
Broiling the chicken just before roasting is the ultimate key to getting those exceptionally thin, crackly, and crispy edges.
Placing your skillet portions under the intense top heat of the broiler first blasts the surface fat to kickstart the browning process instantly.
This rapid heat shock shrinks the outer skin and locks in a beautiful, uniform golden crust right at the start of your kitchen prep.
Once those edges are perfectly crisp, dropping your oven temperature down allows the heat to finish cooking the poultry meat smoothly.
This clever order of steps ensures the inside stays incredibly tender and juicy while maintaining that satisfying, restaurant-quality crispiness.
Even better? Oven roasting the chicken in a cast iron skillet means no messy stovetop clean-up, making it a double win.
A few helpful tips for getting the best Crispy Skillet Roasted Chicken Thighs
This Crispy Skillet Roasted Chicken Thighs recipe produces delicious chicken as is, but is also totally customizable to include any seasoning you like. Try them with Montreal chicken spice, your favourite BBQ sauce or an Italian seasoning blend!
Try these Tender Baked Rosemary Chicken Meatballs, this Sticky Honey Garlic Grilled Chicken or this One-Pan Lemon Rosemary Chicken with White Beans next.
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Crispy Skillet Roasted Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 to 6 chicken thighs, legs or breasts
- Kosher or fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Turn your oven to broil, then pat dry and season chicken with salt and pepper placing them skin side down in a cast iron pan.
- Broil for 6 minutes, then turn and broil for another 8 minutes. Remove pan from oven and adjust temperature to 475ºF (246ºC).
- Once temperature is reached, roast skin side down for 14 minutes then turn and roast for 6 minutes more. Transfer skillet to wire cooling rack and let chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.
This is a wonderful recipe, cooking chicken thighs with the bone has always been somewhat of a mystery to me. I usually burn them or they are half done around the bone. I follow this to the letter. Perfectly roasted chicken thighs. Our favorite cut of chicken. Thank you again for another great idea!
Thanks Krista! So glad to hear this method works for you and that you’re pleased with the result. Have a great week!