Step 1

Preheat oven to 475°. Season chicken with salt and pepper.

Step 2

Heat oil in a 12" cast-iron or heavy nonstick skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking.

Step 3

Nestle chicken in skillet, skin side down, and cook 2 minutes.

Step 4

Reduce heat to medium-high; continue cooking skin side down, occasionally rearranging chicken thighs and rotating pan to evenly distribute heat, until fat renders and skin is golden brown, about 12 minutes.

Step 5

Transfer skillet to oven and cook 13 more minutes.

Step 6

Flip chicken; continue cooking until skin crisps and meat is cooked through, about 5 minutes longer.

Step 7

Transfer to a plate; let rest 5 minutes before serving.