- For boneless chicken thighs you will be grilling them for approximately 8 minutes.
- For bone-in chicken thighs you will be grilling them for approximately 10-13 minutes.
I have to concur with Grill Girl Robyn Lindars that when it comes to grilling, chicken thighs are the best type of poultry protein. Keep your breasts since the dark meat is what you want to grill when cooking chicken. Many women inquire about cooking BBQ chicken breasts, but Lindars, who teaches grilling seminars for women, advises grilling chicken thighs instead. Boneless chicken thighs are a great alternative to breasts for weeknight meals or large gatherings because they are juicy, crispy, and less expensive to prepare.
How To Know When Chicken Is Done
When cooked, chicken shouldn’t have a dark red color or appear raw inside. However, color does not indicate doneness. Even fully cooked poultry occasionally exhibits a pinkish tinge in the meat and juices, according to the USDA.
I highly recommend using a meat thermometer for checking the internal temperature of your chicken.
It’s the simplest and most reliable method for figuring out whether your chicken is cooked through and suitable for eating. A meat thermometer can help you avoid overcooking your food, which will result in chicken that is tough and flavorless.
You will be able to tell without a doubt when the chicken is done because it must reach a temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be considered safe to eat.
Cook’s Note: Before grilling chicken thighs, I like to take the skin off. However, it is not necessary; the chicken will cook just as well with the skin on.
But I prefer the chicken without the skin because the spices blend so well with it.
It’s no secret that I adore tender, skin-on chicken baked in the oven or crispy pan-fried chicken, but when it comes to grilling chicken, skinless is my preferred option.
How to Make the Best Grilled Chicken Thighs
It’s a variation of my go-to Chicken Seasoning recipe that I use on these grilled chicken thighs. Brown sugar, paprika, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper are used as seasonings. The chicken becomes especially juicy and delectable thanks to the brown sugar’s assistance in caramelizing the chicken’s exterior.
Rub a little olive oil on the chicken thighs after patting them dry. The oil helps the seasonings to stick. Then, coat the chicken thighs on all sides with the seasoning mixture. After rubbing on the seasonings, let the chicken thighs rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and as long as 12 hours for the best flavor. This marinating time makes the meat more flavorful.
If you’d rather use a marinade than a spice rub, you can marinate the chicken thighs in my Chicken Marinade recipe before grilling them, or you can try my marinated Cilantro Lime Chicken. Before grilling the chicken, let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes and up to 12 hours. Combine the marinade ingredients and chicken thighs in a bowl or zip-top plastic bag.
You can grill either bone-in or boneless chicken thighs; it all depends on your preferences. Both are delicious, but my family and I prefer to grill boneless chicken thighs because they cook more quickly and are simpler to slice and eat.
The recipe card below includes directions and cooking times for both boneless and bone-in chicken thighs.
You can either grill the chicken on a gas grill or a charcoal grill once you’ve seasoned it (and allowed it to marinate if you like). It’s best to start with clean, oiled grill grates.
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. You’ll lower the heat to medium once you’ve added the chicken to the grill. By using moderate heat, you can prevent your chicken from burning before the inside is fully cooked. To maintain even heating all around your meat while it is cooking, cover the grill.
To Marinade or Rub
Don’t follow a chicken recipe that instructs you to marinate your chicken thighs in barbecue sauce to make them juicy, warns Lindars. Because barbecue sauce contains a lot of sugar (sometimes brown sugar is to blame), the chicken may burn or, even worse, your gas grill may flare up. Instead, flavor your chicken with a rub made of spices like garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and chili pepper. When the chicken is finished cooking, add your sauce and set it aside to rest.
FAQ
How long does it take to grill thighs on the grill?
How Long to Grill Chicken Thighs. Grill skinless, boneless chicken thighs for 7 to 10 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. The best way to determine when a chicken is done is to use an instant read thermometer. Make certain to place the thermometer into the meat’s thickest part.
How long does it take to BBQ chicken thighs?
20 to 25 minutes, turning once, covered, grill until a thermometer reads 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of a chicken thigh. Before serving, remove from the grill and give it a five to ten minute rest.
How long does it take to cook chicken thighs on the grill at 400?
Depending on the size and thickness of the chicken, chicken thighs should cook for 8 to 11 minutes at a temperature of 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook chicken thighs on the grill until they’ve reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do you know when chicken thighs are done on the grill?
The majority of food experts concur that it is time to remove the chicken from the heat and let it rest before serving when its internal temperature reaches 165 F. Always place the tip of a digital thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh for the most accurate reading.
