How to Make Easy Skillet Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin!

When my sweet mother, Gloria, needed to get dinner on the table fast—but still wanted something hearty and nourishing—she’d reach for her old cast iron skillet, a few chicken thighs, and whatever herbs were growing just outside the kitchen door. And she knew the secret for perfectly crispy skin, which I’m sharing with you today! Watch the video below to see how easy this is to make—and then scroll down for the full printable recipe!

How to Make Skillet Chicken Thighs

In every traditional kitchen, there are meals you can turn to again and again—simple, satisfying, and nourishing. A skillet of chicken thighs meal fits this description perfectly. In this version, I’m bringing in the wisdom of the past by including my Old World Poultry Seasoning with Rose Petals. This aromatic blend adds flavor and subtle digestive support, just as cooks of long ago intended.

📝 Ingredients

Find the full printable recipe with ingredients below.

• 🧈 1 tablespoon ghee, olive oil, or butter (or a combination)
• 🍗 5–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 🧂 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ⚫ ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 🌶️ ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for gentle warmth)
• 🌹 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning with rose petals

📝 Instructions

Find the full printable recipe with measurements below.

1. Season the chicken.
   Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle with sea salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and poultry seasoning with rose petals.
2. Heat your skillet.
   Place a large cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the ghee, olive oil, or butter.
3. Sear the thighs.
   Add the chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook uncovered for about 8–10 minutes, until the skin is golden and crisp.
4. Flip and cook through.
   Flip the chicken thighs skin-side up. Continue cooking, uncovered, for another 12–15 minutes, adjusting the heat if needed so they don’t scorch.
5. Check doneness.
   Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) (though I prefer 175°F–185°F (79°C-85°C) for a more tender, old-fashioned texture).
6. Serve and enjoy!
   Remove from the skillet and let rest for a few minutes. Serve hot with your favorite sides and a drizzle of pan juices.

Be sure to watch my Easy Skillet Chicken Thighs Dinner with Super Crispy Skin video to bring the ingredients and instructions to life.

Variations

Add Vegetables: Once the chicken is cooked through, you can plate it. Then add sliced carrots, pearl onions, or quartered baby potatoes to cook in the rendered chicken fat (schmaltz) to soak up amazing flavor! In my chicken thighs recipe video, I added baby bella mushrooms.

Add Citrus: Once off the heat, try adding a splash of lemon or orange juice mixed in with the rendered fat to create a brightly flavored sauce to serve with the thighs.

Go Skinless and Boneless (if needed): You can use boneless, skinless thighs, but reduce the cooking time slightly and know that you’ll miss that release of collagen from the bones and that irresistible crispy skin.

Extra Herbs: Add fresh rosemary or thyme sprigs to the skillet while it simmers for even more old-world aroma.

🧑‍🍳 Recipe Tips

• Pat the chicken dry before seasoning—this helps the skin get that golden, crispy texture.
• Cook uncovered to keep the skin crisp. Covering traps steam and softens the skin.
• Use a thermometer to check for doneness. 165°F (74°C) is safe, but 175°F–185°F (79°C-85°C) gives that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness traditional cooks loved.
• Don’t crowd the pan—if your skillet feels cramped, cook in two batches for best results.

Storing and Reheating

Storing: Let leftovers cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezing: These freeze well! Place cooled thighs in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.

Reheating: Reheat skin-side up in an uncovered skillet on low with a splash of broth until warmed through. For crispy skin, once the broth has evaporated, flip the chicken skin side down, turn the heat to medium, and cook for 2-3 minutes.

🍽️ How to Serve

• Serve with a slice of crusty sourdough bread to soak up the skillet juices.
• Pair with fermented vegetables, buttered rice, or a simple green salad for balance.
• For a cozy old-world meal, offer it alongside steamed barley or spelt, seasoned with a bit of butter and fresh herbs.
• A glass of lemon water or herbal tea with rose would make a lovely accompaniment and aid digestion.

A Simple Meal with Old-World Charm

There’s something so comforting about bringing old-world traditions into our modern kitchens. This easy skillet chicken dinner is a perfect example—simple to prepare, deeply nourishing, and subtly beautiful, thanks to the timeless addition of rose petals in the seasoning.

I hope you’ll give this recipe a try, sweet friend—and let me know how it turns out for you!

More Budget-Friendly Recipes

Once you make these Skillet Chicken Thighs, be sure to try some of my very popular easy—and flavorful—dinners, including:

• Delicious Canned Salmon Patties
• Best Beef Stew
• Fried Cabbage with Kielbasa
• Old-Fashioned Hamburger Casserole

Get Bone In Meats from Shirttail Creek Farm

• Shirttail Creek Farms is offering my sweet friends $10 off any order over $100 with this link and discount code MARYSNEST

In addition to Bone-In Chuck Roasts, you can find lots of nutritious meats and products to help you make the most healthy and gelatinous beef bone broth:

• Pastured Chicken Thighs
• Grassfed Beef Broth Bones (Knuckles)
• Pastured Chicken Feet (Great for making gelatinous bone broth)
• Grassfed Beef Shanks (Osso Bucco)

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