Cooling Bbq Chicken: Cast Iron Method

There's nothing quite like a juicy, tender piece of BBQ chicken, and cooking it in a cast-iron skillet is the perfect way to achieve that. With its excellent heat retention, cast iron delivers the ideal char and juicy texture to your chicken. The key to success lies in the right combination of spices and sauces, along with a few simple cooking techniques. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to create mouth-watering BBQ chicken that will have your taste buds dancing. So, get your cast-iron skillet ready, and let's dive into the world of delicious, flavourful BBQ chicken!

Preheat the oven to 400°F

Preheating your oven to 400°F is a crucial step in the process of making BBQ chicken in a cast-iron skillet. This temperature ensures that your chicken will cook evenly and efficiently. Here's a detailed guide on why and how to preheat your oven to 400°F for this delicious cast-iron BBQ chicken recipe.

When cooking BBQ chicken in a cast-iron skillet, preheating your oven to 400°F is essential for achieving the perfect balance between a juicy interior and a charred exterior. This temperature is hot enough to create those desirable grill marks and lock in the flavours without drying out the chicken.

Steps to Preheat:

• First, ensure your oven is set to "bake" mode.
• Turn the temperature dial to 400°F.
• Wait for the preheat indicator light to turn on or off, depending on your oven's model. Some ovens will display the word "preheat" or show a symbol.
• If your oven doesn't have a preheat indicator, most ovens will take around 10-15 minutes to preheat fully. You can also use an oven thermometer to check if the desired temperature has been reached.

Tips for Preheating:

• If you're using a fan-assisted or convection oven, you may need to adjust the temperature down by 25°F as these ovens tend to run hotter.
• Ensure your oven is properly calibrated. Most ovens can be calibrated or adjusted by a professional if the temperature is consistently off.

Timing Your Preheat:

For the best results, start preheating your oven before you begin preparing the chicken. This way, by the time you're done seasoning and searing the chicken, your oven will be at the perfect temperature to finish cooking it through.

In summary, preheating your oven to 400°F is a critical step in the cast-iron BBQ chicken recipe. It ensures your chicken cooks evenly, retaining its moisture and developing those mouthwatering grill marks. By following the steps and tips provided, you'll be well on your way to a perfectly cooked and delicious BBQ chicken dinner.

Season the chicken with salt and spices

Seasoning your chicken with salt and spices is an important step in the cooking process, as it adds flavour and helps to tenderise the meat. Firstly, you should pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This is an important step to prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan.

Next, you can add your chosen spices. A simple combination of salt, chilli powder, garlic powder, and onion powder works well. Alternatively, you could use a spice rub or a taco seasoning packet. If you want to make your own spice rub, you could try a combination of dried or fresh basil, cilantro, or parsley, dried oregano, cumin, garlic powder, brown or granulated sugar, salt, and pepper. You could also add some olive oil to the mix.

Make sure to coat all sides of the chicken with the spices. This will ensure that your chicken is evenly seasoned and flavourful. Once the chicken is seasoned, you can add it to your cast iron skillet and start cooking!

Sear the chicken in a cast iron skillet

To sear chicken in a cast-iron skillet, you'll first want to dry the chicken breasts with paper towels. This will prevent the chicken from sticking to the skillet. Next, rub your chosen spices all over the chicken. You can use a simple combination of chilli powder, garlic powder, onion powder and salt, or try dried basil, cilantro or parsley, dried oregano, cumin, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt and pepper.

Now, add a little oil to your large cast-iron skillet. You only need a light-flavoured oil, such as olive, peanut or vegetable, and you won't need much if your skillet is well-seasoned. Place the seasoned chicken breasts into the cold skillet, then heat the skillet over medium-high heat until the chicken starts to sizzle. Reduce the heat to medium and sear one side of the chicken slowly for around 6 minutes, until golden brown and slightly charred.

Flip the chicken and transfer the skillet to a preheated oven to finish cooking.

Finish cooking the chicken in the oven

Finishing your chicken in the oven is a great way to ensure your chicken is cooked through without drying out the meat. Here is a step-by-step guide to finishing your BBQ chicken in the oven using a cast-iron skillet:

Firstly, preheat your oven to 350-425°F. The exact temperature will depend on your oven and the size of your chicken breasts, but generally, you are looking to cook the chicken at a medium heat. Place an oven rack in the upper third position.

Next, you will want to sear the chicken in the cast-iron skillet on the stovetop. Start by drying the chicken breasts with paper towels. This will help to prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan. Then, season the chicken with your chosen spices. A simple combination of chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt works well, but you can also try a spice rub or a salt-sugar brine. Add a tablespoon of oil to your cast-iron skillet and place the chicken in the pan. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat until the chicken starts to sizzle, then reduce the heat to medium. Sear one side of the chicken slowly for about 6 minutes, allowing the middle to start cooking.

Now you are ready to transfer the chicken to the oven. Place the cast-iron skillet in the oven and cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 155°F. This should take another 4-8 minutes.

Once the chicken has reached the correct internal temperature, remove the skillet from the oven. Brush the chicken with barbecue sauce, about 2 tablespoons per breast. Return the chicken to the upper third of the oven and cook for a further 2 minutes, or until the barbecue sauce starts to char and the internal temperature reaches 160°F.

Finally, remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest in the skillet for 5-10 minutes. The residual heat will continue to cook the chicken until it reaches a food-safe internal temperature of 165°F. Then, simply slice and serve with your favorite sides!

Rest the chicken for 5-10 minutes

Resting the chicken for 5-10 minutes is an important step in the cooking process. During this time, the residual heat will continue to cook the chicken, ensuring it reaches the food-safe internal temperature of 165°F. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a moist and tender chicken.

Resting the chicken also gives the barbecue sauce, or other sauce of your choosing, time to thicken and adhere to the meat. This step ensures that the sauce will coat the chicken evenly and creates a glossy, mouthwatering appearance.

Additionally, the resting period provides an opportunity for the chicken to cool slightly, making it easier and safer to handle when it comes time to slice or serve. This brief waiting period allows the chicken to reach the perfect temperature for a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience.

Finally, the resting period gives you, the cook, a moment to prepare any side dishes or final touches for your meal. Whether you're steaming rice, roasting vegetables, or simply setting the table, those few minutes can be invaluable for putting the finishing touches on your culinary masterpiece.

Frequently asked questions