Tips & Tricks How to Sear Chicken in a Cast Iron Grill Pan By: Lodge Cast Iron / July 8, 2021 Every cook should know how to make good grilled chicken breasts. It can be tricky because chicken is so lean that it often dries out, becoming rubbery and tough. Prepping your chicken in a simple salt and sugar brine is the perfect solution. The salt tenderizes the meat by breaking down the tough proteins and the sugar adds flavor and helps the browning process. Paired with a hot, cast iron grill pan, this brine guarantees tender, juicy chicken breasts that will add texture and flavor to any dish. E-mail this page Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on Twitter Print this page Let’s get started! Prep Dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of sugar in 2 cups of room temperature water for the brine. Stir the mixture until the salt and sugar dissolve. Soak your chicken for 30 to 60 minutes in the refrigerator. Any longer, and your chicken may be too salty. Pat dry to remove excess moisture and promote browning. Apply the oil and spices of your choice to your chicken. We like garlic and pepper. Rub your spices in. Heat Preheat your oven to 350°F. Heat your grill pan to medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes. Splash your pan with a few drops of water—if it sizzles and vanishes when it hits your pan, you’re at the right temperature. Sear Brush oil onto the pan. We like to use canola oil because of its high smoke point. Sear your chicken for 2 minutes. Remember to space the chicken breasts out. When proteins are cooked too closely together, they will steam rather than sear. Your chicken is ready to flip when the breast has turned white half way up the side. If your chicken is still clinging to the skillet, give it another minute. When your chicken easily releases from the pan, flip, sear for 2 more minutes, remove your pan from heat. Tip: You can add 2 ice cubes to your pan to lower the temperature of the pan subtly and prevent your chicken from overcooking. Bake Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Rest For the perfect chicken, let it rest for 5 minutes. Sit tight—allowing the chicken to rest will redistribute the moisture and keep all of those flavorful juices intact when you slice into it at the dinner table. More tips for a great cast iron chicken: Oil: We like to use canola oil because of its high smoke point. If you don’t have it on hand, we recommend trying avocado oil, vegetable oil, or a light olive oil. For more info on choosing the right oil, check out our article, “Oils for Cast Iron Cooking and Seasoning.” Seasoning: Simply brining and seasoning your chicken will yield delicious results, but you can step up your game by adding crushed garlic, fresh herbs, and a tablespoon or two of butter just before transferring your skillet to the oven for a simple and delicious pan sauce. If you want to dress it up, deglaze your skillet with a few tablespoons of white wine or chicken broth and mix in a dollop of sour cream, greek yogurt, or dijon mustard. Spoon the sauce over the chicken just before serving. Temperature: For food safety reasons, chicken should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. Take the guesswork out of the equation and invest in an instant read thermometer. Not sure what to pair with your seared chicken? Try a few of our favorite side dishes! Summer Squash Casserole Dress up this classic squash casserole with an herb and spice topping. Grilled Romaine with Pine Nut Vinaigrette Ready to elevate your salad game? Twice Baked Potato Casserole Transform the classic twice baked potato recipe into a cheesy bacon-topped casserole. Roasted Red Potatoes With Rosemary and Onion This recipe, made with skin-on red potatoes, chopped onions, and fresh rosemary is the perfect simple side dish for any meal. Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts These easy and delicious brussels are perfect for every occasion, and the response is the same: delicious! Garlic Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms These cheesy, garlic stuffed mushroom caps are an easy game day crowd pleaser! Contributed By: Lodge Cast Iron We hope you enjoy our stories and recipes! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and tag your Instagram food photos with #lodgecastiron for a chance to be featured on our feed! Get $10 off any $50+ order!* While you're shopping, become a Pan Fan today and sign up for our newsletter! *Coupon code will be sent to your email after you sign up for our newsletter! New sign ups only. Sign Up By submitting your information, you are agreeing to Lodge Cast Iron’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Please try again.
Tips & Tricks How to Sear Chicken in a Cast Iron Grill Pan By: Lodge Cast Iron / July 8, 2021 Every cook should know how to make good grilled chicken breasts. It can be tricky because chicken is so lean that it often dries out, becoming rubbery and tough. Prepping your chicken in a simple salt and sugar brine is the perfect solution. The salt tenderizes the meat by breaking down the tough proteins and the sugar adds flavor and helps the browning process. Paired with a hot, cast iron grill pan, this brine guarantees tender, juicy chicken breasts that will add texture and flavor to any dish. E-mail this page Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on Twitter Print this page Let’s get started! Prep Dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of sugar in 2 cups of room temperature water for the brine. Stir the mixture until the salt and sugar dissolve. Soak your chicken for 30 to 60 minutes in the refrigerator. Any longer, and your chicken may be too salty. Pat dry to remove excess moisture and promote browning. Apply the oil and spices of your choice to your chicken. We like garlic and pepper. Rub your spices in. Heat Preheat your oven to 350°F. Heat your grill pan to medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes. Splash your pan with a few drops of water—if it sizzles and vanishes when it hits your pan, you’re at the right temperature. Sear Brush oil onto the pan. We like to use canola oil because of its high smoke point. Sear your chicken for 2 minutes. Remember to space the chicken breasts out. When proteins are cooked too closely together, they will steam rather than sear. Your chicken is ready to flip when the breast has turned white half way up the side. If your chicken is still clinging to the skillet, give it another minute. When your chicken easily releases from the pan, flip, sear for 2 more minutes, remove your pan from heat. Tip: You can add 2 ice cubes to your pan to lower the temperature of the pan subtly and prevent your chicken from overcooking. Bake Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Rest For the perfect chicken, let it rest for 5 minutes. Sit tight—allowing the chicken to rest will redistribute the moisture and keep all of those flavorful juices intact when you slice into it at the dinner table. More tips for a great cast iron chicken: Oil: We like to use canola oil because of its high smoke point. If you don’t have it on hand, we recommend trying avocado oil, vegetable oil, or a light olive oil. For more info on choosing the right oil, check out our article, “Oils for Cast Iron Cooking and Seasoning.” Seasoning: Simply brining and seasoning your chicken will yield delicious results, but you can step up your game by adding crushed garlic, fresh herbs, and a tablespoon or two of butter just before transferring your skillet to the oven for a simple and delicious pan sauce. If you want to dress it up, deglaze your skillet with a few tablespoons of white wine or chicken broth and mix in a dollop of sour cream, greek yogurt, or dijon mustard. Spoon the sauce over the chicken just before serving. Temperature: For food safety reasons, chicken should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. Take the guesswork out of the equation and invest in an instant read thermometer. Not sure what to pair with your seared chicken? Try a few of our favorite side dishes! Summer Squash Casserole Dress up this classic squash casserole with an herb and spice topping. Grilled Romaine with Pine Nut Vinaigrette Ready to elevate your salad game? Twice Baked Potato Casserole Transform the classic twice baked potato recipe into a cheesy bacon-topped casserole. Roasted Red Potatoes With Rosemary and Onion This recipe, made with skin-on red potatoes, chopped onions, and fresh rosemary is the perfect simple side dish for any meal. Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts These easy and delicious brussels are perfect for every occasion, and the response is the same: delicious! Garlic Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms These cheesy, garlic stuffed mushroom caps are an easy game day crowd pleaser! Contributed By: Lodge Cast Iron We hope you enjoy our stories and recipes! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and tag your Instagram food photos with #lodgecastiron for a chance to be featured on our feed!
