How to Make Crispy-Skinned Cast-Iron Baked Chicken

Test cook Natalie Estrada prepares Cast-Iron Baked Chicken with host Bridget Lancaster.

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[spiritisalive]

2 tsp salt
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic pepper

Preheat cold cast iron skillet in cold oven 450°.
Season chicken liberally.
2 pats of butter in fully heated skillet.
Place chicken skin side down. Cook for 15 mins, flip. Cook other side 15 mins. Must read (165)175 on thighs.

Highlights, not full recipe. You're welcome.

[jeffreyvanness]

I've moved in with my elderly parents. One of the many things I do is all their meals. Fortunately, I truly LOVE to cook. America's Test Kitchen has improved upon so many of my standard recipes. We have always loved chicken in my family and I decided to try this recipe. It was, without question, the best chicken we've ever had. My mother is from Alabama and said her mother cooked roast chicken at least once a week, frequently twice. My father is from New York and said his mother cooked chicken all the time. Suffice to say, we eat a lot of chicken. This recipe was so easy. I did put the spices on the chicken about 90 minutes prior to cooking it to let them get into the meat. Unbelievably good chicken! Skin was crisp and brown, meat was soft, tender, and juicy. Both were LOADED with flavor. Side were mac & cheese (homemade, of course) and green beans. I made it again tonight with mashed potatoes instead of mac & cheese. It's already on the menu for Monday night. Admittedly, I won't be cutting up my own chicken again. It's really not hard, but I have Parkinson's and people with shaky hands really shouldn't be using razor-sharp knives. That's okay, my butcher will gladly cut the chicken for me. You can bet your bottom dollar that my parents and I will be having this chicken at a minimum of once a week.

[mycatsmeow]

I like how well she explains each step as she goes. I didn’t feel talked down to & yet she made sure I understood what was happening & why.

[vtvman]

I butterflied the chicken (spatchcock style), used the same spices as per the video but also added 1/2 TSP of thyme. I cooked for 30 mins skin side down and 15 mins skin side up. It was the best chicken I’ve ever cooked at home. Glad I purchased a cast iron skillet and also saw this recipe.

[laurielyon]

I’m a 73 year old wannabe chef who dabbles in cooking. And I REALLY enjoy America’s test kitchen for reasons that should be entirely obvious if one watches.
I made this recipe for dinner this evening and I have some comments.
Probably due to inaccuracy in my oven temperature, after 30 minutes the internal temp of the chicken was over 200 degrees. It wasn’t terribly overdone, but close. I suggest that after 15 minutes, when it’s time to flip the chicken, take the temp of the chicken to see ‘where you’re at’, so to speak.. And then gauge (guess?). the time remaining. Like me, you may not require the additional 15 minutes that Natalie suggests.
As regards the seasoning, I found the chicken to be saltier than I prefer. Next time around, I would alter the recipe from 2 tsp of salt to one, same amount as the pepper.
As the old lady said when she kissed the cow………’Every man to his own liking’.
Best Wishes from Toronto.

[charleswise]

Don't throw away the wing tips. Freeze them. When you have enough frozen, makes excellent chicken stock. The wing tips have the highest amount of collagen of any part of the chicken.

[danagarth]

Aw, Natalie was a childhood friend of mine. I don't know how I came across this video, but glad she is doing well and is successful :)

[robertlowe]

Just made this 28 Sept 2021 for dinner. If I could give this process 10 stars I would . The juices after baking are really good for dipping your chicken in. Don't discard the juices, they are great. I really recommend this. Job well done test kitchen.

[kimmnm]

Just made this tonight!!! The FlaVA!!!! Was the best I’ve had at home for sure! Follow the spice mix recipe to a T and season both sides like she said!!! Delicious!! I overlooked my breast a bit so next time I will check the temp earlier but STILL the Best!!! The drippings are HEAVENLY thanks AGAIN ATK!!! Home run recipes EVERY time

[ftswarbill]

I love cutting up our families whole chickens. She does her cutting so eloquently. I would expect nothing less from this awesome channel.

[nomadicroadrat]

Natalie is so down to earth, explaining in an easy manner as she moves from one step to the next.

[lindab]

Thanks for this recipe! We had it for our Sunday dinner, my 85 yr old mother loved it! The chicken was so flavorful and tender!

[Lisa_MS]

So easy! Few recipes turn out perfect the first time but this was exactly what I wanted. I used a bone-in split chicken breast and followed the recipe exactly. I wanted a better way to cook chicken for soup and chicken salad. Thank you so much!

[tonylozano]

I have made this dish 4 times and it has always come out great. Everyone likes it and always comment they like the juice from the pan. What I like is the chicken I buy is from Costco and it cost $1.49 a pound (as 6/14/2022). So I get two whole chickens for about $17; therefore one chicken cost about $8.50. Add in some mashed potatoes and broccoli and I feed a family of 5 for about $2.25 a person. I love that. Thank you Natalie and Bridget.

[unodepoalli]

I tried it out yesterday...it came out great!! Highly recommended recipe.

[lukesmith]

This was really very good. I brined the chicken pieces in a water/ salt mixture overnight. I used the pan drippings to make a pan gravy with mashed potatoes. Delicious..

[davidwade]

I tried this recipe for dinner tonight, except I also added red chili powder. OMG! It was so freaking delicious. Better than Buffalo Wild Wings. I ate entirely too much, but I just could not help myself.

[sgodbout]

We raise our own chickens and are about this size. This is a perfect recipe! I really enjoy Natalie’s presentations.

[UncleWill]

Probably my fave chicken dish EVER. I make this 2-3 times a week... I however use legs and thighs only. And have shared this recipe with many friends who feel the same. Sometimes i will roast veggies in the pan the last 15 minutes of cooking.

[seluinitaufa]

I just cooked this dish. Left it on the table and walked away for a bit, came back, GONE!! My family could not stop raving about it. Thanks for another great recipe.