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Home / Latest Posts / Recipes / 30 Minute Pan Fried Chicken

30 Minute Pan Fried Chicken

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By: Leigh Anne WilkesPosted: 9/30/22Updated: 1/18/23

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure policy here.

crispy pan fried chicken a cast iron pan

With only 4 ingredients and 30 minutes you can put together a delicious and easy dinner with this recipe for Pan Fried Chicken.

 Crispy Chicken in a cast iron skillet

Why You’ll Love This recipe

A delicious dinner in 30 minutes? Yes, it’s doable with this 30 minute Pan Fried Chicken Thighs Recipe.  All you need is some chicken, butter, salt and pepper and a cast iron pan.  This recipe really does work best in a cast iron pan, so if you don’t have one you should get yourself one!  A cast iron pan gets really hot and that is what you need to create the yummy, crispy skin on the chicken.  High heat baby!

Ingredients Needed

  • Chicken thighs with skin on and bone removed. You want the skin on for this recipe. Do not use skinless chicken thighs.
  • Salt and black pepper
  • Butter. I use salted butter but if using unsalted butter just add a bit more salt.
chicken thighs

How to Remove the Bone from a Chicken Thigh

The only way I have found to buy chicken thighs with the skin on is also with the bone in.  You want to remove the bone.  This is not hard to do. You just need a nice pair of kitchen shears.

First, rinse your chicken thighs and pat dry with a paper towel.

Second, use your fingers to pull away as much of the meat as you can from the bone and then use your kitchen shears to cut away the remaining meat underneath the bone.

debone chicken thighs

Third, trim off any large pieces of skin that extend beyond the thigh. Be sure and leave the skin that is attached to the thigh there.  Trust me, you want as much of that yummy crispy skin as you can get.

How to Make Pan Fried Chicken

  • Once the bone is removed, heat up your cast iron skillet and get it nice and hot.  
  • Add in 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt.  Don’t let it brown or burn.
cast iron skillet with melted butter
  • While the pan is heating up, salt and pepper your chicken. Be generous.  The salt makes the crispy skin even better.
chicken thighs prepared with salt and pepper
  • Place your chicken into your hot pan with the skin side down.
  • Reduce your heat to medium hot and allow the chicken to cook for about 9-10 minutes or until the skin is nice and crispy, golden brown.
frying chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet for crispy chicken
  • About half way through the cooking process (skin side down) rotate the chicken 180 degrees in the pan.
  • Flip the chicken and cook the other side for about 7 minutes or until meat is cooked through.
crispy chicken thighs frying in a cast iron skillet

You are now ready for a yummy, delicious, crispy chicken dinner.

30 Minute Crispy Chicken in a cast iron skillet

Pair Pan Seared Chicken with:

  • Smash Potatoes
  • Rice Pilaf
  • Cashew Rice
  • Roasted Parmesan Asparagus
  • Balsamic Carrots
  • Roasted Broccoli
cast iron skillet crispy chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I tell if my chicken is done?

Always use a meat thermometer. My favorite one is the ThermaPen. I cook my chicken until it is about 155 degrees F and then let it sit for a few minutes to bring it up to temperature 160-165 degrees F. Do not cut into the chicken to see if it is cooked through. This will release all those lovely juices and dry the chicken out.

Can I use oil instead of butter to fry chicken?

You can but I really like the flavor that the butter gives it.

Can I use other seasoning?

Feel free to experiment with your seasoning. You could use paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, oregano, rosemary or thyme. They would all be delicious.

Can I use chicken breasts instead?

If you prefer you can use chicken breasts. Use boneless breasts with the skin on. You will most likely have to buy bone in breasts and remove them yourself.

More delicious chicken recipes:

  • Spicy Honey Chicken
  • Oregano Chicken
  • Asian BBQ Chicken
  • One Pan Spicy Chicken

Be sure and follow me over on You Tube for weekly cooking demos.

5 from 1 vote
crispy pan fried chicken a cast iron pan

Pan Fried Chicken

Recipe From: Leigh Anne Wilkes
Just thirty minutes is all you need to make this delicious cast iron skillet pan fried chicken
serves: 6
Prep:10 minutes
Cook:20 minutes
Total:30 minutes
Rate Recipe

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken thighs with skin bone removed
  • salt and pepper
  • 3 Tbs butter

Instructions

  • Using a paper towel, dry off your chicken thighs.
  • Salt and pepper generously.
  • Heat up butter in cast iron pan over high heat.
  • Place chicken thighs into the pan skin side down and reduce heat to medium high.
  • Cook for about 10 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Rotate the thighs halfway through this cooking time 180 degrees.
  • Flip over the thighs and cook for another 8-10 minutes skin side up or until meat is cooked through.
  • Remove from heat and place on a paper towel to remove some of the grease. Enjoy!

Tips & Notes:

Always use a meat thermometer. My favorite one is the ThermaPen. I cook my chicken until it is about 155 degrees F and then let it sit for a few minutes to bring it up to temperature 160-165 degrees F. Do not cut into the chicken to see if it is cooked through. This will release all those lovely juices and dry the chicken out.

Recommended Products

Cast Iron Skillet
Measuring Spoons
Measuring Spoons

Nutrition Facts:

Calories: 298kcal (15%) Protein: 18g (36%) Fat: 24g (37%) Saturated Fat: 8g (50%) Cholesterol: 126mg (42%) Sodium: 137mg (6%) Potassium: 231mg (7%) Vitamin A: 265IU (5%) Calcium: 11mg (1%) Iron: 0.8mg (4%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Course:Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine:American
crispy pan fried chicken a cast iron pan
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  1. Vicki says

    Posted on 4/25 at 5:45 am

    So simple but so flavorful. This will go in my permanent rotation. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Leigh Anne says

      Posted on 4/25 at 7:15 am

      So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. Michele says

    Posted on 5/30 at 5:50 pm

    I made this chicken tonight. It was so good and so easy to make. Everyone loved it. This is definitely a keeper! Thanks for sharing this recipe.

    Reply
  3. LaTanya says

    Posted on 2/12 at 7:17 am

    Made these last night! They were sooooo good. My husband asked that I made these every week. 🙂

    Reply
  4. Liz says

    Posted on 1/8 at 2:35 pm

    Thanks Leigh Anne for the easy recipe.

    Reply

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