Grilled Chicken Thighs

These grilled chicken thighs are one of my favorite things to cook on the grill. They are moist, tender and infused with the flavor of fresh herbs. Plus, they’re ready in less than 15 minutes, making them the perfect weeknight dinner for you and your loved ones.

Grilled chicken thighs

If you’re looking for an easy and tasty way to cook chicken, you can’t go wrong with grilled chicken thighs. Boneless chicken thighs are affordable, packed with flavor, and incredibly simple to prepare. They also offer a welcome change from the chicken breasts we often default to.

Chicken thighs, with their dark meat and slightly higher fat content, stay moist and juicy on the grill. They’re perfect for high-temperature grilling, allowing you to get a gorgeous caramelized char on the outside while keeping the inside tender.

Another benefit of chicken thighs is their natural flavor. Thanks to their fat content, they are already tastier than chicken breasts, even before you add seasonings or marinades.

Grilled Chicken Thighs

When grilling chicken, I often recommend using a two-zone grill, meaning one side with indirect heat and the other with direct heat. This method guarantees even cooking and a perfectly crispy outer surface. For these grilled chicken thighs, the marinade adds layers of fresh herb flavor creating crispy, golden skin. Lemon and white wine bring brightness, while garlic provides a bold, flavorful touch.

Unlike chicken breasts, thighs are thin enough to be cooked entirely over direct heat. The higher fat content ensures they don’t dry out, and the direct heat provides that satisfying char while the inside cooks.

Garlic chicken marinade

Marinades are key to adding flavor and tenderness to meat. A well-balanced marinade enhances the natural juiciness of the chicken and infuses it with complementary flavors. My favorite marinades always include these five essential elements: acid, fat, salt, sugar, herbs and spices.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this grilled chicken thigh marinade:

This marinade also tastes amazing with bone-in chicken thighs and all your other favorite cuts of chicken

How to Grill Chicken Thighs

Now that you have all the ingredients ready to prepare this chicken, let’s move on to grilling it. Here’s how to grill chicken thighs:

How long to grill chicken

Most boneless chicken thighs will work less than 15 minutes to finish cooking. Because chicken thighs can be cooked hot and quickly over direct heat, they only require 6 to 7 minutes per side to reach perfect doneness.

It is extremely important to use a meat thermometer to keep track of the internal temperature while cooking chicken. The FDA recommends that chicken be cooked to 165 degrees F. I like to use mine ThermoWorks ThermoPop for quick and easy dinners to make sure my chicken thighs have reached 165 degrees F before removing them from the grill, but you can use any reliable food thermometer.

Once the chicken thighs have reached 165 degrees, I remove them from the grill and wrap them in foil to rest for 10 minutes. Chicken thighs contain connective tissue that begins to break down at 170 degrees F. This resting period with the chicken wrapped in foil helps the meat reach its highest temperature and stay moist and juicy. The chicken basically steams in the foil, allowing the connective tissue to break down and the meat to become incredibly tender.

Tips and service retention

These grilled chicken thighs are not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. They pair perfectly with rice and roasted vegetables for a hearty main course. For a lighter option, slice the chicken and add it to a fresh salad or incorporate it into soups and pastas for an extra burst of flavor. With their herbed marinade and juicy texture, these chicken thighs enrich any meal.

Leftovers are just as enjoyable as when freshly grilled. To keep them moist and flavorful, store the chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat them gently in the oven, on the stovetop or in the microwave to preserve their tenderness. Whether it’s a quick lunch or a creative addition to dinner, these chicken thighs are a convenient and tasty choice for busy weeknights.

Other tasty chicken thigh recipes

Chicken is my family’s favorite protein for our busy weekday dinners. If you’re looking for more creative ways to cook chicken thighs, check out some of our chicken recipes below:

Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe

Follow the recipe, and I’ll teach you the simple steps to make grilled chicken thighs at home. You can find more recipes and videos for smoking and grilling at YouTube, Instagramor ours Facebook page. Let’s prepare good food together.

**I originally published this post in May 2019, but recently updated it with additional information and helpful tips. However, the recipe remains the same.