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Easy BBQ Chicken Thighs on the Grill
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: 20 minutes
METHOD: Grill
OTHER TOOLS: basting brush, paper towel, grilling tongs
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 5
Easy BBQ Chicken Thighs on the Grill are your solution for seamless weeknights, gamedays, or all-around entertaining success! The chicken thighs are smoky, juicy, and easily customized with your favorite BBQ sauce.
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- This is the best recipe for smoky and saucy grilled chicken with minimal prep!
- Get bold BBQ flavors with only a few pantry spices. The grill maximizes the taste, and it turns out perfectly!
- Instead of steaks or brats, try this grilling alternative for family dinners, cookouts, or meal prep. Make a batch of chicken thighs at the beginning of the week to use the leftovers in plenty of family-friendly meals.
- Customize the flavors with your favorite BBQ sauce. Make it sweeter, spicier, or smokier with different sauces or seasonings.
- With a meat thermometer, you can confidently prep and cook the meat in under 20 minutes. Try this grill recipe that’s foolproof for busy weeknights and grillers of all levels!
Ingredients Needed
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs – Boneless thighs are quick-cooking and stay very juicy on the grill. It’s a forgiving choice if you’re newer to grilling!
- Olive oil – Olive oil helps the seasonings adhere to the chicken and keeps the meat from sticking to the hot grill grates.
- Herb and garlic seasoning – An all-purpose herb and garlic seasoning adds plenty of flavor to the chicken and provides a savory balance to the sweeter BBQ sauce.
- Cajun seasoning – This bold and smoky homemade blend adds another savory layer of flavor to the chicken. Make your own blend or use a store brand to customize the chicken just how you like it.
- BBQ Sauce – Here’s where you can really customize the flavor! Choose your favorite BBQ sauce from the store or make a homemade mix, whether sweet, smoky, or spicy. Another fun option is to purchase a small batch of sauce from a local restaurant or farmer’s market.
How To Make BBQ Chicken Thighs On The Grill
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 400 ℉).
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel.
- In a large bowl, drizzle the chicken with olive oil and toss with herb and garlic seasoning and Cajun seasoning until well coated.
- Place the chicken thighs directly on the grill grates and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, flipping once, until the internal temperature reaches 165 ℉.
- During the last 2-3 minutes of grilling, brush the chicken with BBQ sauce and flip once more to let the sauce caramelize.
- Remove chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
For another simple grilling option, try this method: How to Grill Chicken Thighs (Juicy Every Time!).
Pro Tips
- Chicken is fully cooked at an internal temperature of 165 ℉. The most accurate way to check for doneness is to use a meat thermometer like this instant-read thermometer.
- Boneless thighs offer convenience, but bone-in thighs work great on the grill, too. For bone-in thighs, increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes, flipping more frequently to avoid burning.
- Be sure to brush the sauce on at the end to let it slightly carmelize, yet prevent burning.
- Chicken should rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing or serving to preserve the juices and retain moisture.
- To prevent drying out, avoid overcooking and don’t apply the BBQ sauce too early.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Swap boneless chicken thighs for:
- Bone-in thighs – These will have a slightly longer cook time, so use the thermometer to adjust accordingly.
- Chicken breasts – These may dry out faster, so also watch closely and use the thermometer to check for doneness.
- Chicken drumsticks or wings – Depending on the size, these are likely to cook faster than boneless thighs as well.
- Customize with BBQ Sauce variations such as:
- Sweet honey BBQ
- Spicy chipotle
- Carolina mustard
- Regional favorites (for the BBQ loyalists!)
- Homemade sauces with brown sugar, vinegar, and spices
- Deepen the flavor with optional marinades, such as:
- Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and garlic
- Apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and extra spices
- Boost the flavor with these smoky enhancements:
- Add smoked paprika or chili powder to the seasoning blend
- Use a wood chip smoker box on the grill
BBQ Chicken Thighs in the Oven
- Prepare chicken as directed with olive oil and seasonings.
- Bake at 425 ℉ for 25-30 minutes on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Brush with BBQ sauce during the last 5 minutes and use the broiler for 2-3 minutes to caramelize.
What To Serve With BBQ Chicken Thighs
Everyone can play a part in preparing this meal, with someone on the grill and others taking care of the can’t-do-without sides! These are some of the easiest, tastiest options to make a BBQ meal complete:
- The BEST Cheesy Potato Casserole
- Air Fryer Twice Baked Potato
- Skillet Green Beans
- Corn Slaw
- Creamy White Cheddar Mac And Cheese
- Instant Pot Potato Salad
- Crispy Air Fryer Potato Wedges
How To Use Leftovers
- Chop up leftover chicken for BBQ chicken tacos or wraps.
- Add sliced chicken to salad greens and veggies to create a tasty grilled chicken salad.
- Serve thighs whole on a toasted bun as a BBQ chicken sandwich, and add a side of Air Fryer Waffle Fries.
- Use sliced chicken to create BBQ chicken pizza (use this easy base recipe for Air Fryer Margherita Pizza)
- Finely chop or slice BBQ chicken to make toasted quesadillas with Colby Jack, cheddar cheese, and purple onion as desired.
Storing and Reheating
How To Best Store Leftovers
Fridge
Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
How To Best Reheat Leftovers
Reheat leftover chicken in the microwave in 30-second intervals or in a covered skillet with a splash of water to keep it moist. Avoid reheating on high heat to prevent the chicken from drying out.
Easy BBQ Chicken Thighs on the Grill
Easy BBQ Chicken Thighs on the Grill are your solution for seamless weeknights, gamedays, or all-around entertaining success! The chicken thighs are smoky, juicy, and easily customized with your favorite BBQ sauce.
Equipment
- Grill
- basting brush
- paper towel
- grilling tongs
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs about 6 thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon herb and garlic seasoning blend
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning blend
- ½ cup BBQ sauce use your favorite brand or homemade
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400 ℉)
- Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel
- In a large bowl, drizzle chicken with olive oil and toss with herb and garlic seasoning and Cajun seasoning until well coated
- Place chicken thighs directly on grill grates and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, flipping once, until internal temperature reaches 165 ℉
- During the last 2-3 minutes of grilling, brush chicken with BBQ sauce and flip once more to let sauce caramelize
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving
Notes
- Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave (30-second intervals) or in a covered skillet with a splash of water to keep moist.
- Avoid high heat for best results.
- Chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 ℉. Use an instant-read thermometer for accuracy.
- Wait to brush on the BBQ sauce at the end to allow it to caramelize without burning.
- Let the chicken rest at least 5 minutes before slicing or serving to preserve the juices.
