Grilled Chicken Thighs – Juicy, Smoky & Ready in 35 Minutes
Grilled Chicken Thighs are a quick and flavorful meal, perfect for summer. Coated in a homemade sweet and smoky BBQ seasoning, they’re prepped in just 5 minutes and grilled for 25 minutes, followed by a 5-minute rest. Whether cooking for yourself or a crowd, these juicy, tender thighs are packed with flavor and sure to be a hit!
Servings: 6 people
Ingredients
- 6 chicken things bone-in and skinless
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoke paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: homemade BBQ sauce and squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- First, clean the grill and oil it to make it nonstick. Then, preheat the grill to high heat. The grill should be around 400 – 450°F.
- While the grill preheats, pat the chicken thighs dry. Then, in a large bowl, add chicken thighs, olive oil and all the rest of the ingredients mentioned on the ingredient list above. Toss until coated. Cover and set aside.
- Arrange the chicken thighs directly on the grill, spacing out. Close the lid. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs should be grilled for 6–7 minutes per side over medium-high heat (about 400–450°F). Grill until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Total time is around 12–15 minutes depending on thickness.
- Remove from the grill, place them on a serving tray, cover lightly with foil, and allow them to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
- Optional: For extra flavor, brush the cooked chicken thighs with homemade BBQ sauce and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if you like.
Notes
Make sure the chicken is cooked through by using an instant read meat thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh. The chicken is done when the juice runs clear and the temperature reaches 165F.
When using a cast iron grill pan on the stove, you don’t have to cover it like you would with an outdoor grill.
Refrigerate: Keep leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Reheat: Reheat in the microwave, in a countertop oven like an air fryer, or back on the grill.
Freeze: Put the chicken thighs in a freezer bag, and store them in the freezer for up to three months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1/6 | Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 21g | Sodium: 792mg | Potassium: 40mg | Sugar: 1g