When you decided to dedicate your life to cooking with beer, people ask questions. Sometimes those questions follow puzzled looks at the grocery store at 8am while pushing a cart full of beer.
More commonly it’s during interviews, which have become more and more frequent over the past year (apparently I’m the foremost leading expert in cooking with beer). The questions are usually similar: “How did you get into cooking?” “What’s your favorite beer?” “How is that you’re not fat?”
The past three interviews I’ve had a new question come up all three times: “What are your favorite kitchen items?”
I did an entire interview for the May issue of Imbibe’s print magazine about things I can’t live without. To be honest, the answer changes a bit from moment to moment, but one thing that always seems to fall into that Can’t Live Without category is my Le Creuset cast iron skillet. I’ve cooked everything from cake to steak in mine and it’s my go to for quick dinners. Without hesitation it’s the pan I’d choose over all the others.
With a little inspiration from that question, and the upcoming gift giving festivities, I’m giving some of my favorite things away. A cherry red Le Creuset cast iron skillet (my absolute favorite), an autographed copy of my cookbook: The Craft Beer Cookbook, and salt that I love so much I carry some around in my purse: Smoked Maldon Salt.
I’m even sharing a recipe from my book that I make in that go-to cast iron skillet. It even tastes great made with some of that smoked salt I love so much.
Ingredients
- 1 cup IPA beer
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- 1 tbs kosher salt, plus ¼ tsp, divided
- 3 lbs chicken, bone in, skin on (thighs, legs, wings)
- 1 tbs smoked paprika
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbs olive oil
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tbs sour cream
- 2 tbs IPA
- 1 roasted red pepper (from a jar is fine)
- ¼ tsp salt
- Rice for serving
Directions
- Add the beer, chicken broth and salt to a bowl, stir to combine. Add the chicken, place bowl in the refrigerator for 3 to 6 hours. Remove chicken from the brine, rinse, pat dry.
- In a large bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, sweet paprika, onion powder, nutmeg, and cayenne. Add the Chicken, toss until well coated. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 to fifteen minutes.
- Heat the olive oil in a large cast iron skillet. Add the chicken, fat side down, and allow to brown, about 4 minutes. Turn chicken over and place cast iron skillet in the oven, cook at 425 for 18 to 20 minutes or until cooked through. (If you don’t own a large enough cast iron skillet to accommodate the chicken, brown chicken in batches and place on a baking sheet that has been covered with aluminum foil. Place baking sheet in the oven, cook at 425 for 18 to 20 minutes.)
- While the chicken is cooking, add all of the sauce ingredients to a food processor, process until smooth.
- Plate chicken on top of rice, cover with sauce prior to serving.
In the spirit of Holiday Giving, I’ve teamed up with some pretty fantastic bloggers to give away a few of our favorite things.
Enter my giveaway by using the Rafflecopter widget below, but don’t forget to check out the other blogs and enter those giveaways as well.
1. Bakeaholic Mama 2. Pineapple and Coconut 3. Fabtastic Eats 4. The Lemon Bowl 5. Foodness Gracious 6. Rachel Cooks 7. Dine and Dish 8. Big Bear’s Wife 9. Nutmeg Nanny 10. Savory Simple 11. What Megan’s MakingÂ
Mmm!! I love paprika! I use it in almost everything, but have never mad paprika chicken. This looks so good and I cannot wait to try it!
Oh and fun giveaway!! I LOVE my Le Cruset skillet too!
I’d make an oven baked pancake puff!
The chicken looks great! Can’t wait to try it.
yea! Love the giveaway – I am finding new blogs to read – thank-you. So happy to have found your blog – cooking with beer is something I’ve done for a long time and your blog has let me step up my game.
What wouldn’t I make in it is the question? I want to try lots of your recipes!
I’d make a steak!
Hamburgers, among many other things!
This chicken looks delicious, but to be honest it’s the sauce that has me drooling!
That chicken looks amazing! I’d love to try making some cornbread in a cast iron skillet.
I would make a paella.
I have so many ideas for that IPA roasted red pepper cream sauce. Thank you!
A giant chocolate chip cookie!
I would make some stroganoff
Pineapple upside down cake like my mom used to make
O. M. G. This looks amazing and I will be making this soon. It would be better if I could make it in that skillet.
chili w beer!
I would make fried chicken & jalapeno cornbread.
I would make fried chicken
I would cook just about everything in an iron skillet! But on the top of that list is this chicken! Sounds heavenly
So your recipe looks divine! I would make a quiche in this cast iron skillet it would give a nice crust I think! So cool I hope I win!!!
I’d make Topsy Turvey pie, an old family favorite.
I would make my chicken, broccoli, and cheese casserole!! My favorite go-to dinner!
fajitas!
This sounds delicious. And the whole blog (and book) will be so helpful when clearing out my boyfriend’s fridge full of forgotten beer.
Beer Brined Paprika Chicken with IPA Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce !
The very first thing would be your recipe for Beer Brined Paprika Chicken. It looks so very good and I am still stuffed from Thanksgiving..
I would definitely make skillet pear cake!
Cornbread or biscuits!
I’d make some nice juicy hamburgers in that skillet!
This sounds great! I’ve been looking for a good way to serve chicken thighs besides making pulled chicken. Can’t wait to try this!
Cornbread.
what wouldn’t I make!! haha cornbread, giant skillet chocolate chip cookies are the first things that come to mind.
I would make breaded Italian chicken cutlets in that skillet! Breakfast, pineapple upside down cake, etc
deep fried whole flounder
A pineapple upside down cake.
Fried cabbage……fry up some chopped bacon till crisp, then remove with slotted spoon….throw in onion and sauté few minutes, then chopped cabbage, little cayenne pepper, salt and pepper…put lid on, cook till cabbage is tender, add bacon back in a stir……serve with cornbread….yum!
Mexican cornbread!
some fresh halibut
I’d make cornbread!
I would make a pineapple upside down cake!
When I see a cast iron skillet, the very first thing that comes to my mind is my mom cooking fried chicken. What wonderful memories of crunchy, tasty fried chicken!
STEAK!
I would use it to fry chicken.
I would definitely try to make a skillet chocolate chip cookie!
First thing I think of to make in a cast-iron skillet is cornbread!
I put your book on my amazon list, if I don’t win it ha ha I am buying it. AND I am totally making this recipe asap. I love your recipes girl!!!
I think it would be so much fun to make the bruleed pumpkin beer pie in the cast iron skillet! Yum! Because of your website I am now obsessed with cooking with beer.
Cornbread.
I would make a bison steak!
That sounds amazing! I prefer cooking with beer to drinking it. I’m looking forward to digging into your stuff more. I’m sure there are a ton of good ideas!
Forgot to say what I would cook in the pan. Besides “everything,” think the first thing would probably be cornbread or an upside down cake.
I would like to make corn bread in the skillet.
chicken looks amazing
I would make some cornbread!
I would make fajitas
I have so few skillets that can go in the oven… that one is just begging for a big pan of Mexican cornbread.. all full of onions, peppers, bacon and cheese.. mmmmm
Steak would be one thing for sure! Would love to try cornbread in the skillet too, thank you
I would make salmon!
I would make stir fry tofu <3 oh man so delicious lol
Thanks!
I would make hamburgers.
I would love a pretty skillet like that! I follow you on FB thank you for acquainting me with new bloggers. Nice give-away please & thank you!
skillet Bacon cornbread
I’d cook everything!
Hi. I found your blog via the Food Bloggers Fave Things Giveaway post on What Megan’s Making’s blog. Can’t wait to try your recipes.
I would make cornbread.
I would make Pannekoken!
I would make tofu omlettes in the cast iron skillet.
This recipe sounds delicious! I make a lot of curry dishes in my current skillet, so if I won this one I’m sure I’d end up making tofu red curry in it in no time! Thanks for the chance.
I would do a seared steak with a bearnaise sauce.
Oh, that chicken looks like it should be top of my list! But seriously, if I won the pan, I’d also win the cookbook, so… yep, probably that chicken!
I would make braised chicken.
Apple Crumble would do this pan great justice!
Cast iron is the best for just about everything
Since it’s too cold and/or snowy to grill here in the winter, I’d love to make a good burger in this pan! The pan is amazing looking!!!!!
I would make some bison burgers!
Parmesan crusted chiscken
Steak tips!
You have the best recipes
I love cast iron and would cook everything in it. Favorite is pork chops with gravy. Get all those good crispy bits that stick to the pan in the gravy
I would love to make a good steak with this!
I’d make a big batch of spoon bread in the Le Creuset!
I’d make a tasty skillet corn bread!
What would I make? PIE. Saw a recipe for a pie made on a grill in a cast iron skillet and have been wanting to try it for ages. And I’d probably try my dad’s recipe for chicken pot pie and make it with a beer crust.
Pineapple upside down cake!
The chicken looks great! Can’t wait to try it!
Wow that chicken, like everything else on this blog, looks amazing!
I’d make the Beer Brined Paprika Chicken with IPA Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce!
I’d have to make the Paprika Chicken – it would be only fitting – plus it sounds SO delish!
Mmmmmm…..beer
I’ve really loved reading your recipes on FB and Parade – I even made the beer Mac and Cheese which was delish. I added mushrooms to it since I had some to use up.
Love Creuset cookware and would love this pan along with your cookbook! I’d make the chicken recipe you posted!
If I won, I’d have to try this recipe out first, then make some diner-style hash.
I’d make Beer brined paprika chicken from your cookbook! It sounds delicious.
I’d make your chicken recipe first, and then I’d use the pan for everything!
Hm… I am thinking it would have to be turkey sausage hash in that skillet. Yup. Turkey sausage hash.
I would love to make some sort of stew in the casket!
I would make some jalapeno cornbread in that lovey red skillet.
I would make some jalapeno cornbread in that lovely red skillet.
Love the recipe! Will try for sure! I have a pork chop recipe I’ve been wanting to try in a cast iron skillet.
I’d use the skillet to make beer biscuits and gravy!!
I’ve got a recipe for skillet cornbread I’d like to try.
I would make a giant skillet cookie. MMM.
yum! pinning!
I’d love to make a nice steak in that fab pan!
I would make any of your recipes! Yummmmm! I love this giveaway and REALLY hope I win your book, it is on my wishlist!
I have my eye on a cast-iron cornbread!
A giant skillet cookie
I would sear steak, for sure!
I love cast iron. I do not have a quality enamel pan. Would could everything in it.
I would make pancakes and cookies and chicken etc etc!
I would make a deep dish skillet cookie!
Kale! omnomnom
I would make Skillet Apple Cobbler!
All of your recipes are amazing, but if I were to pick one to make in the Le Creuset cast iron skillet it would be dessert with the Chocolate Stout and Bacon Skillet Brownies!
I love your favorite things!
I would make all of the beeroness recipes that I could!!!
I’d make a frittata.
Chicken fajitas!!
Not sure what I wouldn’t try to make in that skillet. First would probably be a venison steak au poivre.
Cornbread
deep dish pizza
I would make one of those giant peppermint chocolate chip cookies!
Bourbon Chicken
Happy to have found this blog!
Cornbread is the first thing that comes to mind when I see cast iron skillets!
OhMyGOSH! Best giveaway EVER!
I would try the Chicken Paprika recipe!
I would love to try making cornbread in this skillet!
I would make burgers or classic pancakes w/ a cast iron skillet. What a great collection of food blogs and gifts!
EVERYTHING! but maybe eggs to start
It only took about 5 months before I started cooking nearly everything in my cast iron skillets. Currently have marinara simmering. I love the crust that forms on meat like your chicken recipe here. I’m not a big IPA fan, but I’ll give it a try with a less hoppy beer. Thanks, Beeroness!
Hard to decide…maybe some cornbread to start!
Not sure how I stumbled across your blog, but LOVE IT!! Keep up the great beer work!!
I would make Dutch Babies and cast iron pizzas!
I think the first I would make is just a simple German Pancake.
Um, other than the recipe in this very post? Hello all the things I love together in one dish. Well, I do also have a recipe for Italian hamburger pie I’d been meaning to try out…
I’d make biscuits & gravy in this pan!
I would make cornbread. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Cornbread!
Skillet cornbread
Some nice crispy chicken something. This recipe looks like a winner.
I would make this recipe in the skillet!
I would make corned beef hash ,hashbrowns,and quesadillas.
crispy potatoes
I would try any and all of your beer recipes! I’d love to try my hand at steak in a cast iron skillet.
This recipe looks incredible!! #MustMake
I would make the Beer Brined IPA Roased Red Pepper Chicken for sure!
I would make a skillet Chocolate chip cookie
looks super yummy!!
Sounds amazing. Can’t wait to try this.
Steak or Chicken Parm…or anything!!!
I would make cornbread! Thanks for the chance!
createamazingmeals[at]gmail[dot]com
I would make cornbread! YUM!!
I have some catfish fillets just begging to be fried in that skillet.
I would definitely make this beer brined paprika chicken and then I think I would also use it to make shrimp scampi. I am sure I would get lots of use out of it!!
I’d probably first make some fried eggs.
I’ve never cooked in a cast iron skillet, so I’m not sure! Maybe a steak or something that I could pop in the oven to finish?
What a great pan. I would make pancakes right away for the kiddos. Thanks for a chance to win!
I’ve wanted to try baking bread in one!
Fried chicken!
caribou steaks or a ginormous dutch baby :o)
Love this chicken recipe to try! Love your blog and cookbook!
I would make chicken francaise.
Jalapeno cheddar cornbread!
i would try to make my spanish chicken in it!
Probably start by doing some carmelized onions.
I would love to make some pancakes with a beer/blueberry reduction.
Yet another amazing looking and sounding dish!
If I won a gorgeous red cast iron pan, I’d have your IPA citrus marinated pork chops in there in a flash. The accompanying peach-poblano salsa is my most favorite salsa on earth, and I lose my patience every summer waiting for peach season to come on.
I’ve got a fantastic recipe for a medieval mushroom pie. I’d start with those mushrooms, with shallots, and herbs to go in the pie.
Yummm…I love paprika and I love roasted red peppers….This might be dinner one night this week!
I would make some sort of “dessert in a skillet” brownie or blondie! I see them everywhere and they always look delicious! This chicken is a close runner too – looks lovely!
This looks like a perfect dinner to me! Sounds like the some wonderful flavors all rolled up into one amazing dish!
I found your blog from Bakaholic Mama. Very excited as I add beer to everything.
I have a lot of ideas for things that I’d make in that fabulous cast-iron skillet, like cornbread, or tortillas, but first I think I’d try a traditional tarte tatin, which would take advantage of its stovetop-to-oven capabilities.
Hash browns
If I win the cast iron pan I will make chili stout sloppy joes and of course, stout bacon jam!
I LOVE Maldon salt, but haven’t tried the smoked! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve never used cast iron and have been wanting to invest…this would be perfect. I really would love to just try making steak! Of course, using one of your beer inspired recipes
I’d be making some sliders with beer cheese sauce!
Everything??? I would love to win the skillet!
I really like the taste of sea salt but not regular salt – funny that you do also
I’d make skillet potatoes and fried eggs!
I would make pork loin in cream. Thanks for the giveaway.
This recipe looks delicious! I’d also make Chicken Forester – one of my hubby’s favorites.
Skillet Apple Pie
I think that pan deserves a Trout Almandine.
Dude, that red pepper cream sauce has completely won me over!
I would make white chocolate scones in the Le Crueset skillet!
This beer brined paprika chicken sounds amazing! Also, pineapple upside down cake and cornbread would be among the first things.
A savoury tarte tatin
I’d start working my way through the Beroness recipes..
Skillet Corn Bread or Skillet Baked Spaghetti.
Omgggg that sauce. Give me a funnel.
sauteed mushrooms and garlic
This has got to be a trick question, because I would make literally EVERYTHING in this skillet. Cornbread crusted chili sounds really good right now, though
great give away items! LOVE the skillet!
I have use beer as a baste for meats & in some bread recipes for MANY yrs!
I would make a giant skillet chocolate chip cookie!
boy does that look good!
Some killer omelets
I’d make just about everything that I’d cook in it.
Chicken with cream herb sauce. I need a good skillet to help me pull it off!
cornbread.
a stir fry of some sort with rice on the side! Yum! We really like hamburgers as well!
I would make Beef Stroganoff
Fried chicken, cornbread, sausage and gravy… you name it!
I’d use it for items I grill during the summer when it’s too cold to be outside…steaks, pork tenderloin, burgers, etc.
I love that skillet! I would use it for just about everything!
Definitely steak!
I would try my hand at making skillet cornbread.
Sweet potato, sausage, and egg frittata!
I would make everything in it. Love the color too. Thanks for an awesome giveaway.
Ate the mac and cheese from thte cookbook last week — it was fabulous! I’d have to make those porkchops in the skillet.
I would make some of my favorite Beeroness recipes with a new skillet!
I would make omelets, for sure.
I found a recipe a while back for a skillet oatmeal butterscotch cookie with bourbon sauce, and have been dying to make it. There are a myriad of other things I would love to make (like that awesome chicken!), but that one sticks out.
I love making cornbread in my cast iron skillet.
I would love to make this recipe! It sounds amazing! Creaminess, beer, it has everything you need for a cold winter dinner!
I would make a beautiful steak with caramelized onions and mushrooms in a
stout sauce.
Cornbread, and then something braised in beer!
A Big gooey pazookie!
I would use this for just about everything, starting with burgers, probably.
I would make Salmon and I would use it frequently for cornbread
My Mama Joe’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken….most requested dish
Chicken fried steak and gravy first
I would make a skillet cookie and some fried chicken! Beautiful!!
I would totally try this chicken with the cast iron frying pan, and lots of Indian food, yum. Thanks for the chance!
I would cook a tender steak and onions
I would make cornbread.
I would make your recipe because it sounds so good!
My grandma’s fried chicken!
A gigantic chocolate chip skillet cookie!
Cornbread!
Chicken pot pie for Sunday dinner.
Steaks
A steak on Christmas day!
steak or porkchops.
I would make skillet cornbread!
I would make cheese potatoes…a family tradition! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d make cornbread.
The first thing I would make is a steak!
The recipe you just posted.
I’d make a skillet chocolate chip cookie!
Roasted Brussels sprouts and bacon
I’m thinking beer battered chicken would be great if I won!
I would make a breakfast hash!
I would make bacon and eggs.
Some Good Old Fashioned Fried Potatoes.
Fried potatoes and onions. Yum!
I’d make skillet cornbread first. Something I’ve always wanted to make, but never had a skillet to do it!
I think this cast-iron skillet would be great for getting a nice sear on a steak.
I’ve got to make that chicken ASAP, but i definitely need that pan to cook it in!!
I would like to make the beer cheese skillet potatoes – yum!
I would love to make cornbread in the cast iron skillet!
I bake a lot of bread in cast iron pans.I would love to have this one!!!
I bake a lot of bread in cast iron pans. I would love a new one!
I’d like to make your Beer Cheese Skillet Potatoes
I think I would try out this recipe up top – the beer brined paprika chicken – in fact, I’m pretty sure I’m going to try it without the pan, because it looks and sounds scrumptious! Thanks for the chance to win
Thank you for putting up the recipe for beer potato and cheese. I think that’s what I would make first and then, perhaps a pizza. Beer adds a nice flavor to the crust I think.
pan pizza!
I would make some pan-fried steaks
grilled cheese! or baked pasta!
I probably would make some sort of skillet cake
I would make an apple crumble
fried chicken!
I would love to make some skillet cornbread!
breakfast sausage and eggs, on tortillas
Cornbread!! I love skillet cornbread
hamburgers
I’d make a salmon with cilantro pesto!
Your recipe looks amazing! Probably the first thing I would make in the skillet is bacon.
I have this recipe for a pear upside down cake that you start on the stove that I’m DYING to try in a skillet!
I would make everythingggg!!! But looking at that beer brined paprika chicken is making my stomach growl already at 8:15! I’m a sucker for cast iron.. and Le Creuset isn’t exactly affordable with my college budget, but definitely on my wish list!!
Probably steak, or a chicken dinner.
I would make my crispy potato’s with herbs.
I’d love to win this LeCreuset skillet! it looks fantastic. I would like to do a spanish omelette!
I would make skillet cornbread to start out with, but who knows after that?
First thing I’d make in that cast iron pot is chicken fricasée
First thing I’d make in this skillet is a giant cookie!
I would be making ham and beans
I would make homemade biscuits!!!! Yum Yum!
I’ve been wanting one of these forever! I would love to make fajitas with a pan like this.
Skillet chocolate chip cookie pie
I’d make Chicken Fried Steak. Although this Chicken looks pretty amazing!
I would dive right in and make your Stout Sausage Gravy… OMG I’m in love with it!
Lasagna!
I’d make jalapeno cheddar cornbread
The first thing I would make in this skillet is cornbread with jalapeno’s and creamed corn!
I love Le Creuset, I have only a small skillet and a casserole dish. I would love to make Chicken Picatta in the skillet.
I’d make venison swiss steak
I’ve never used a cast iron skillet before, but if I won the giveaway I would try one of your recipes!
Well the beer brined paprika chicken sounds amazing. Beer + paprika? Sounds like heaven!
I’d make EVERYTHING in that skillet. It’s gorgeous.
the first thing i would make is Dorie Greenspan’s Swedish Visiting Cake!!
I’d start with some nice salmon and sky’s the limit from there!
I’d totally be making the beer brined paprika chicken first of course. Then I’d make some pork and sauerkraut which pairs fabulously with beer.
I’d make homemade sloppy joes!
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
I think I would start with your chicken recipe. It looks fantastic!
I would make so many things! Chicken dishes, hamburgers, cornbread, and so many many others!
Umm, your recipe would be a good place to start. Talk about yumsville!!
Cornbread. Sweet & cakey, cornbread.
Hi I am new to your blog. Recopies look nice and will try the cakes soon..
My husband is a huge beer nerd and he looooves all the recipes I make from you. Thanks for all the inspiration.
And I would make a giant skillet chocolate chip cookie.
What could be better than apple cinnamon pancakes? I can’t think of a better meal, frankly. I need a cast iron skillet.
I’d make some skillet-fried fish – it’s my new favorite quick meal!
I love the recipe you’ve provided and would love to give it a try.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
PORK CHOPS!
A dutch baby pancake!
I would make Fajitas
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I would make steak fajitas
I would make all the things!!
No really, I’m not sure what I would start with- probably a hash, frittata, or just a good steak!
The iron skillet would be a welcomed addition to any kitchen…including mine! Thanks for this opportunity!
I would definitely make some chicken!
i have always wanted a cast iron skillet and would like to try jalapeno corn bread
so many different things! probably a chicken dish first.
some cornbread
I would make cornbread in the skillet
Your recipe for the beer brined paprika chicken sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to try it!
I’ve been dying to make cast iron skillet pizza! Sadly I don’t even have any cast iron
I would make pan fried potato slices, we called them home fries and ate them for breakfast growing up, I am making them my kids favorite as well!
Beer Brined Paprika Chicken sounds delicious. I love love love good beers. Found a recipe in my Smitten Kitchen cook book for beer and balsamic braised short ribs that is amazing.
We love breaded and pan-fried “meats” – chicken parmesan, scallopini, picata, etc.
I would definetly try this recipe! I love anything with paprika! I would also make a chicken parmesan or spanish patatas bravas
I would make cornbread!
I would use that cast iron pan to make blue cheese stuffed fillets. YUM!
I’d make cheese jalapeno cornbread in it.
I’d pan fry a steak in it.
I would use it to make some yummy chicken
what wouldn’t I make with this? the first thing would be a fish fry!
cool!!! i want a skillet for making dutch babies!!