My Family’s Favorite Grilled Chicken Thighs

These Grilled Chicken Thighs are the best entree that I meal prep weekly. They’re seasoned with a simple and versatile spice blend, then cooked on the grill until tender and juicy with the perfect amount of crisp.

Cooking Chicken Thighs on the Grill

Don’t we all just love the tender juiciness of chicken thighs? I know I do. And while I do love Baked Chicken Thighs, there’s something so good about cooking chicken thighs on the grill.

These Grilled Chicken Thighs are the best! They’re seasoned with a simple yet insanely flavorful spice blend and take on that perfect grilled smoky flavor. This simple entree is delicious, so versatile, and perfect for summer. Grilling chicken thighs will be an every day occurrence! 

Ingredients Needed:

• Chicken: I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, but bone in would work too.
• Oil: use avocado oil or extra virgin olive oil.
• Seasonings:  a simple blend of salt, pepper, turmeric, paprika, and garlic powder give the chicken just the right amount of flavor.

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How to Cook Chicken Thighs on the Grill

1. Prep the chicken: Gently pat the chicken dry, then drizzle with oil. In a bowl, mix together all of the seasonings, then sprinkle that over the chicken to coat evenly.
2. Grill: Preheat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and grease. Add the chicken onto the grill and cook until 165ºF. 
3. Rest and serve: Pull the chicken off of the grill, let it rest for 5 minutes, then serve!

How Long to Grill Chicken Thighs

This is why I love chicken thighs. They’re really hard to overcook!

While this depends on the size of the chicken thighs you use, I usually achieve perfectly cooked chicken in 10-14 minutes (5-7 on each side.) 

As always, the best way to really know that the chicken is done is to check the temp. It should be 165ºF!

Do You Flip Chicken Thighs When Grilling?

Yes! You will definitely want to flip the chicken thighs halfway through the cooking time when grilling. That way they cook evenly and get that delicious grilling crisp all the way around.

Can I Use Other Types of Chicken?

Yes! We love boneless chicken thighs, but this recipe also works really well using bone-in chicken thighs, drumsticks, and chicken breasts. 

Keep in mind that different cuts of chicken will cook at different rates!

Can This Be Made Without a Grill?

Yes! While we love the charred smoky taste of the grill, your chicken would still be perfectly acceptable on a grill pan inside or even in a regular skillet.

Tips for Grilling Chicken

• Bring to room temp. I recommend setting the chicken out on the counter for 30 minutes or so before cooking. This helps it cook more evenly!
• Prep the grill. Before cooking the chicken, make sure that the grill is preheated and that the grates are clean and greased. This will help achieve the perfect texture and will prevent the chicken from sticking to the grill.
• Cook over indirect heat. While you do want your grill to be hot, you definitely do not want to cook over direct flame. Indirect flame ensures that the chicken doesn’t burn as it cooks all the way through.
• Cover your grill. This helps make sure it stays hot so the food cooks nice and quickly.
• Check the temp. It’s the most foolproof method to check that the food is cooked all the way through. It should be 165FºF in the thickest part of the chicken.
• Let it rest. Let the chicken sit for 5 minutes after cooking and before slicing into it. This gives the flavor and moisture time to settle into the meat. 

What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Thighs

This dish is bright and savory and will work with so many sides! Here are a few ideas:

• Grilled Sweet Potatoes with Chimichurri
• Lemon Herb Roasted Potatoes
• Classic Macaroni Salad
• Collard Greens with Bacon
• Grilled Corn on the Cob

How to Store

Cooked chicken will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months. 
To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm on the stove until heated through.

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