Preparation Rub the chicken with the olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs. Or, try a dry rub. Place the chicken breast skin side up in a stainless steel or cast iron pan that has a tight fitting lid. Cooking Fire your oven and let the temperature fall somewhat to roughly 550-600ºF, keeping a bed of coals on one side. Add the pan to the oven and cook the chicken for a couple of minutes, until the tops of the chicken are brown. Place the lid on the pan, and return the chicken to the oven to finish cooking, roughly 15-20 minutes. Serve hot.