Do you think it's safe to cook chicken in a cast iron skillet?

I'm new to cooking. I just bought a new cast iron skillet.

I'm wanting to use it to cook chicken, because it can withstand high heat. Apparently, that's the best way to cook a chicken breast - high heat and fast.

The makers of the skillet recommend hand washing and light seasoning with oil after each use. Will the hand washing be enough to kill the bacteria from the chicken? Or, did most of the bacteria die after being in the oven at high heat?

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Spoiledbrat · F

I've cooked chicken tenders in a cast iron skillet but I prefer my non stick to it.

perceptivei · 36-40, F

@Spoiledbrat why is that?

Spoiledbrat · F

@perceptivei The cast iron we have is small and it's hard to wash. I don't think putting it in the dishwasher is a good idea. I think it probably rust over time.

MartinTheFirst · 26-30, M

@perceptivei It's much easier, meat really sticks to cast iron, although it's worth it if you want a fancy meal.

perceptivei · 36-40, F

@Spoiledbrat Right. You're not supposed to put it in the dishwasher. You'd have to hand wash it with a little soap. Then, season it will a little bit of oil.

MartinTheFirst · 26-30, M

@Spoiledbrat It won't rust if you do the correct procedure directly after washing it, but if you do the correct procedure then you might as well do it from the start so there's no point. Also it will ruin the coating you want to have on the cast iron from burnt in oil. I can leave my own cast iron wok for 5 minutes after washing it by hand, and it will start to show rust! I clean it up with an an oily towel and the rust rubs away easily. It just means that I haven't got a good coating on it yet

perceptivei · 36-40, F

@MartinTheFirst So, are you recommending to [b]immediately[/b] season it with oil after hand washing? Don't give it even 5 minutes to stand without putting oil on it?

MartinTheFirst · 26-30, M

@perceptivei I recommend wiping it off and then heating it up on the stove a bit, then oil it

perceptivei · 36-40, F

@MartinTheFirst Wipe it off when it's still hot? My dad used to simply rinse it with water while it was piping hot then immediately dried it.

Are you saying to wipe it off without washing immediately after cooking or letting it cool, wipe off, heat up, then season with oil?

MartinTheFirst · 26-30, M

@perceptivei Wash -> Wipe -> Heat -> Oil

perceptivei · 36-40, F

@MartinTheFirst so, should I wait to initially wipe it off? Since cast iron maintains it's heat, wouldn't it still be warm right after cooking? Or, are you thinking it should be cooled prior to washing, wiping, and oiling?

I remember my Dad always rinsed it immediately after cooking.

perceptivei · 36-40, F

@perceptivei Yes, keep it warm.

Spoiledbrat · F

@perceptivei I don't worry about it. I just let it cool off wash it and put it way. I only put oil in it when I cook in it but then again that pan is not that important to me. But mine looks okay and we don't put oil in it after we wash it.