Cast-Iron Skillet Chicken with Spiced Citrus Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs cooked in a cast-iron skillet with a vibrant glaze of orange, lime, and warming spices, perfect for a bright and comforting meal. This Latin American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat dry 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken thighs skin side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until skin is golden brown and crisp, then flip and sear the other side for 3 minutes.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup orange juice, 1/4 cup lime juice, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 3 minced garlic cloves until combined and fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour the citrus-spice mixture over the chicken in the skillet, then transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast for 15 minutes until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
  5. Step 5: Remove skillet from oven, spoon glaze over chicken, and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Cast-Iron Skillet Chicken with Spiced Citrus Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Cast-Iron Skillet Chicken with Spiced Citrus Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Cast-Iron Skillet Chicken with Spiced Citrus Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Cast-Iron Skillet Chicken with Spiced Citrus Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Cast-Iron Skillet Chicken with Spiced Citrus Glaze?

Latin American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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