Grilled Chicken Thighs

My grilled chicken thighs are so tender, juicy, and mouthwatering that they will become your new favorite thing to make any time you grill! The chicken thighs are left to absorb the dry rub straight into the meat so that the flavor will be completely incorporated throughout the entire piece! BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, and brown sugar come together to make a sweet, caramelized topping!

Easy Grilled Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are known to be fattier than chicken breast, which makes them extra flavorful! Add on some seasoning and a BBQ sauce mixture and you will have an easy, delicious BBQ dinner!

These grilled chicken thighs are so straightforward, they only use 5 ingredients! The next time you are wanting a delicious BBQ chicken dish, this is the recipe to try!

Jump to:

• Easy Grilled Chicken Thighs
• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🔪 How To Make Grilled Chicken Thighs
• 💭 Tips & Notes
• 🥡 Storing & Reheating
• ❓ Can You Grill Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs?
• ❓ Are Grilled Chicken Thighs Healthy?
• ❓ How Can You Tell If Grilled Chicken Thighs Are Done?
• 🍗More Tasty Chicken Thigh Recipes!
• 📖 Recipe Card
• 💬 Reviews

🥘 Ingredients

These ingredients are simple, basic ingredients that you can find at any neighborhood grocery store! You might have some of them already in your pantry!

• Chicken Thighs – 1 pound of bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
• BBQ Chicken Rub – 1 tablespoon of BBQ chicken rub (see my recipe, or use your own).
• BBQ Sauce – ¼ cup of BBQ sauce (your favorite brand, use more if preferred)
• Liquid Smoke – 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke.
• Light Brown Sugar – 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar (optional).

Extra BBQ Sauce? Try my BBQ Baked Pork Spareribs, or my BBQ Baked Sausage.

*Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*

🔪 How To Make Grilled Chicken Thighs

This recipe is ridiculously easy, most of the time is spent just letting the chicken absorb the seasoning! All you need is a BBQ grill, measuring spoons, and a meat thermometer!

This recipe makes 4 servings of approximately ¼ pound each. Many bone-in skin-on chicken thighs at the store are quite large, so scale your recipe up as needed.

Prep Chicken & Preheat Grill

1. Prepare chicken. Pat your 1 pound of chicken thighs dry with paper towels. (*See notes on rinsing chicken). Sprinkle the 1 tablespoon of BBQ chicken rub over the thighs and massage it into the meat, covering all sides. Let the chicken sit in the seasoning for 40 minutes to absorb the flavors.
2. Preheat. Preheat your grill to 400°F (205°C) and prepare 2-zone spaces for indirect and direct heat on the grill.

Grill, Sauce & Serve

1. Grill. Place the chicken on the grill skin-side-up over the direct heat and grill for 7-10 minutes. Flip the chicken over and grill for another 4-5 minutes.
2. Make the sauce. In a small bowl, combine the ¼ cup of BBQ sauce, 1 teaspoon of liquid smoke, and optional 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.
3. Finish grilling. Flip the thighs over once more and move them to indirect heat, ensuring they are skin-side-up. Add roughly 1 tablespoon of the BBQ sauce mixture to each thigh and spread it evenly over the top. Close the grill and allow the sauce to caramelize for 2-3 minutes.
4. Rest. Remove from the grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

This juicy and savory chicken dish is perfect for so many different side dishes. Try serving your grilled chicken thighs with my mac & cheese, baked beans, or coleslaw!

Check out all of my favorite barbecue chicken side dishes on my what to serve with BBQ chicken post! Enjoy!

💭 Tips & Notes

• Rinsing your chicken is optional and not recommended by the USDA. However, it is my personal preference to rinse meats before cooking to remove any bone shards (that I have found in the packaging many times).
• Removing excess moisture is essential in getting perfectly crispy skin, so make sure you pat your chicken dry!
• Trim your chicken thighs if needed. Remove any loose or hanging pieces to prevent grill flare-ups.
• When seasoning your chicken (and other meats) salt will pull moisture from the meat. Season immediately before cooking (within 3 minutes of hitting the grill) or after 40 minutes of being seasoned.
• Chicken is technically safe to eat with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) but when cooking bone-in chicken thighs on the grill, it is best to aim for 175°-180°F (79°-82°C) because the fibrous tissues melt and leave behind the perfectly tender, juicy chicken.

🥡 Storing & Reheating

Leftover grilled chicken thighs should be refrigerated in an air-tight container and eaten within 4 days.

Alternatively, they can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating Grilled Chicken Thighs

To reheat leftover grilled chicken thighs, place them in a baking dish covered with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

❓ Can You Grill Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs?

Yes! However, chicken thighs that are boneless and skinless cook quicker than bone-in thighs.

The exact time depends on the heat of the grill and the thickness of the chicken thigh. They can cook for approximately 7-10 minutes per side, but make sure to use a meat thermometer to check for when they reach 165°F (74°C).

❓ Are Grilled Chicken Thighs Healthy?

Chicken thighs are fattier than chicken breast, but they are still a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals! So yes, they are healthy!

The BBQ sauce is the part of this recipe you should keep an eye on. Some BBQ sauces are very high in sugar, so choose one that works for you.

❓ How Can You Tell If Grilled Chicken Thighs Are Done?

Use a meat thermometer! Grilled chicken thighs are safe to eat when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

However, as mentioned in the notes above, thighs are most juicy and tender around 175°-180°F (79°-82°C). Additionally, you can poke the meat and see if the juices run clear!

🍗More Tasty Chicken Thigh Recipes!

• Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Baked Bone-In Chicken Thighs
• Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
• Rosemary & Thyme Chicken Thighs
• Balsamic Chicken Thighs

📖 Recipe Card