How to Grill Chicken Thighs (boneless + bone-in) – Learn how to master grilled chicken thighs so they turn out PERFECTLY every time (so tender and juicy)!!! Find all the tips and tricks below!
BEST Juicy Grilled Chicken Thigh Recipe
I don’t know about you guys but chicken thighs are my favorite cut of chicken (yes, more than chicken breasts!). And today we are talking ALL about how to make the perfect grilled chicken thigh! Whether you are using a gas grill or charcoal grill this tutorial is perfect for you. If you are looking to take your grilled chicken thighs to the next level (and really up the flavor) you gotta try our Best Chicken Marinade or our Pickle Brine Chicken Thighs! Serve with some Mexican Street Corn (Elote), Deviled Egg Potato Salad and some Grilled Broccolini!
Got leftovers: try this Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad!
Grilled Chicken Thigh Ingredients
- Chicken Thighs: either boneless skinless chicken thighs or bone-in chicken thighs will work and we have included instructions for both!
- Olive oil: we rub a bit of this on before seasoning.
- Seasoning: you can either use a classic salt and pepper seasoning OR you can use a fun chicken seasoning (like this one which is a combination of paprika, thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt and ground black peppper).
- Marinade: this Easy Chicken Marinade is a combination of soy sauce, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil and worcestershire sauce.
- Dipping Sauce (optional): you definitely don’t need a dipping sauce, but sometimes we like to use a little simple mustard mayo sauce to dip our grilled chicken thighs in!
How to Prep Grilled Chicken Thighs
To prep your chicken thighs for the grill you simply need to pat them dry with a clean paper towel and then season! Super simple.
What temperature should my grill be to cook chicken thighs?
It depends upon whether you are grilling boneless or bone-in chicken thighs:
- For boneless chicken thighs your grill should be at approximately 400 degrees.
- For bone-in chicken thighs your grill should be at approximately 450 degrees.
How long does it take to grill chicken thighs?
Again, this depends upon whether you are grill boneless or bone-in chicken thighs!
- 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.
Do I start with skin-side down when grilling bone-in chicken thighs?
Yes! Grill with skin down first so it crisps up nicely. Keep skin side down for 3-5 minutes and then flip over. You will then keep it skin-side up for the duration of the cooking time. If you cook the skin-side longer than 3-5 minutes, the skin will become over-cooked and super, SUPER crispy! Once you flip it over, it will depend how thick your chicken thighs are, but you will cook for an additional 7 minutes or so -or until the internal temp is 165.
What if I don’t have a meat thermometer?
I would highly, HIGHLY recommend a meat thermometer if you are doing any sort of grilling with bone-in chicken thighs are chicken breasts. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you will know that the chicken is cooked all the way through if its juices run clear once you remove it from the grill and let it rest for a minute. If you find that you haven’t cooked your chicken all the way back through, return it to the grill quickly and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes at the same temp.
How do I Know When Grilled Chicken Thighs are Done
Grilled Chicken Thighs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Don’t forget to let them rest for 10 minutes before cutting so the internal juices can redistribute.
Easy Grilled Chicken Thigh Marinade + Dry Rub
Check out this delicious cilantro lime chicken marinade if you want to liven things up or this easy chicken dry rub!
Side Dishes
- Grilled Potatoes in Foil
- Grilled Corn in Foil
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- Mexican Street Corn
- Grilled Sweet Potatoes
- Grilled Broccoli
- Grilled Zucchini
- Grilled Yellow Squash
How to Grill Chicken Thighs
Pat dry with clean paper towel and then rub all over with either salt + pepper OR a seasoning. You can also marinate them before grilling too! Here is an amazing Chicken Marinade!
Get your grill up to temp and then place your chicken on clean grill grates. If you are grilling bone-in chicken thighs with the skin-on, make sure you are starting with the skin-side down.
Flip and then remove from grill (see recipe card below for exact times). Make sure you let them rest before cutting into.
Other chicken recipes you might like:
- How to Perfectly Grill Chicken Breasts
- Grilled Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Cilantro Lime Shrimp
- Grilled Spatchcock Chicken
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How to Grill Chicken Thighs (boneless + bone-in)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 13 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grill
- Cuisine: American
Description
Grilled Chicken Thighs: How to grill boneless OR bone-in chicken thighs like a pro!
Ingredients
- 6 boneless or bone-in chicken thighs
- 1–2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 tablespoon salt
- 1/2 tablespoon pepper
Instructions
Boneless Grilled Chicken Thighs:
- Bring grill up to medium high heat (about 400 degrees F) and ensure grill grates are clean.
- Combine salt and pepper in a little bowl.
- Place chicken on plate. Pat dry with clean paper towel.
- Drizzle chicken with olive oil and rub all over. Sprinkle both sides with the salt and pepper mixture.
- Grill chicken on direct heat (directly over flame) for 3-4 minutes per side (the bigger the thigh the longer you will need to cook it), flipping once.
- Remove from grill once the internal temp has reached 165 degrees F.
- Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
Bone-In Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Bring grill up to medium high heat (about 400 degrees F) and ensure grill grates are clean.
- Combine salt and pepper in a little bowl.
- Place chicken on plate. Pat dry with clean paper towel.
- Drizzle chicken with olive oil and rub all over. Sprinkle both sides with the salt and pepper mixture (make sure to get some under the skin too).
- Grill chicken skin-side down on direct heat (directly over flame) for 3-5 minutes and then flip.
- Cook on other side until internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. (use a meat thermometer).
- Remove from gill and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Meat Thermometer: Having a meat thermometer is SO helpful when cooking with meat, especially chicken which has to reach an internal temp (at the thickest part) of 165 before it is safe to eat. If you DON’T have a meat thermometer, you know your chicken is done when the juices run clear once you remove it from the grill. I would highly recommend purchasing a meat thermometer, especially for bone-in chicken thighs and large chicken breasts as they seem to b the hardest to really cook all the way through.
- Cook Time Listed: Note that the total cook time listed is 8 minutes – this is for boneless chicken thighs. Bone-in chicken thighs will be closer to 10-13 minutes, depending upon how thick they are.
- Marinade: we love this Easy Chicken Marinade if you want to try it!
- Brine: Pickle Brine Chicken is one of our favorite recipes!
- BBQ Chicken: if you are wanting to add on some barbecue sauce then once the chicken thighs are about 10 degrees below your desired internal temp move them to indirect heat and brush on the bbq sauce. Close the grill and let the sauce become tacky. Remove and let rest.
Keywords: how to grill chicken thighs, grilled chicken thighs, boneless chicken thighs, bone-in chicken thighs
Originally published June 25, 2019.
Jen says
This is the best recipe for bone in and boneless thighs. We use this recipe almost every week. It is a huge hit every time. It has even won over my dad, who is non a chicken thigh fan.
★★★★★
Erin says
Thank you, Jen!! So glad you enjoyed this one!
EJ says
Turned out perfectly!
★★★★★
MIMI says
I like to place boneless thighs into ziplock and add honey mustard dressing to coat well. Refrigerate over night then grill on gas or charcoal. Absolutely delicious and easy
★★★★★
Erin says
Oooh love the sound of that!!
EB says
Hi. Do you keep the top down while it’s cooking, or leave it up? I’m using a gas grill.
Erin says
Keep the top down while cooking!
Linda says
Love love love this! I was way over cooking them! Thanks !
★★★★★
Erin says
So glad you found it helpful!!
Steven says
Love this chicken thighs. Thank you for share these tips.
Erin says
Glad you found them helpful, Steve!!! Thanks for the feedback!