How Long to Grill Chicken Thighs (Boneless and Bone-In)

All About Grilled Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are a popular and versatile cut of meat known for their rich flavor, tender, dark meat, and moist texture. While they’re a good source of protein, they have a slightly higher fat content than chicken breasts.

The extra fat makes them slightly juicier and more tender than white meat, as well as less prone to drying out.

The combination of the added fat and smoky, grilled flavor makes grilled chicken thighs one of our favorite cuts of meat to sear in the summer. Although we love Baked BBQ chicken thighs, the grill marks you get are unmatched in flavor. Pair them with potato salad, a fresh green salad, or Italian pasta salad for the perfect summer meal.

Bone-in or Boneless Chicken thighs? Both are similar in texture and flavor but have a few key differences and a slightly different cook time. Bone-in skin-on chicken thighs often have more flavor, while boneless thighs are quicker to cook.

Should I Marinate Chicken Before Grilling?

Always save time to marinate chicken before grilling whenever possible to add flavor and tenderize the meat. The basic marinade in these honey mustard chicken thighs is delicious baked or grilled.

A marinade is a liquid mixture of oil, acid, herbs, and spices to add flavor and tenderize the meat before cooking. It’s a great way to add a ton of flavor and tenderize the chicken at the same time. If you’re wondering why my chicken is rubbery or why it turns out dry, it could be because you need a marinade.

This post on how to marinate chicken takes you step-by-step through the best way to marinate and get flavorful chicken. It also includes our 6 favorite chicken marinades of all time!

Hint: One of our favorites is greek lemon chicken with a little olive oil, lemon juice, and Greek spices and spices.

If you’re in a pinch and want something even easier, season your chicken with a dry rub. Use one of the spice blends already in your cabinet.

Or quickly mix together some staples that are usually in the pantry: garlic powder, onion powder black pepper, and kosher salt. Then brush some barbecue sauce right at the end of grilling. It will taste just like our BBQ Baked Chicken Thighs!

Internal Temperature of Chicken Thighs

Always use an instant-read thermometer to determine doneness. The size of the thighs can vary and so can everyone’s grill, so using a thermometer is ideal.

The target temperature for chicken thighs is 165°F (74°C). Because of this, we like to remove our thighs when the thermometer registers approximately 160°F to allow for 5-10 minutes of rest time, which results in 5 degrees of carryover cooking.

For an accurate reading, insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of a chicken thigh, being careful to avoid the bone.

How Long to Grill Chicken Thighs

We’re sharing specific grill temperatures and times for both bone-in and boneless chicken thighs. Jump down to the recipe card below for the best-grilled chicken thighs recipe.

How Long to Grill Boneless Chicken Thighs

Boneless skinless chicken thighs take 12-15 minutes to grill (6-7 minutes per side). This is similar to how long it takes to grill pork chops.  

1. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (400-450°F). 
2. Place chicken thighs on the grill grates, and grill them for approximately 6-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the thigh reads 160°F. The easiest way to tell is with an instant-read thermometer.
3. Remove from the heat, tent them with foil and allow them to rest for 5-10 minutes as the temperature rises to 165°F.

How Long to Grill Bone-in Chicken Thighs

Bone-in thighs have a slightly longer cooking time than boneless chicken thighs and can take anywhere from 20-25 minutes to grill.  The bone acts as a heat conductor, which can slow down the cooking process, but the crispy chicken skin makes it all worth it.  Just look at the skin on these crispy cast iron skillet chicken thighs!

• Preheat your grill for two-zone cooking. This means that one side of the grill is hot (burner set to high, or charcoal stacked to one side) and the other side is cool (burners off or no charcoal). You want the overall temperature of the grill to be around 400-450°F.
• Close the grill lid and cook for about 8-10 minutes per side, or until the skin is golden brown and crispy. Flip the thighs using tongs, being careful not to tear the skin.
• After searing, move them to an area of the grill with indirect heat. This means turning off the burners directly beneath the thighs or moving them to a cooler side of the grill. This allows the chicken to continue cooking without the skin burning.
• Close the lid and let the thighs cook on indirect heat skin side up for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the internal temperature in the thickest part of the meat reads just below 165°F.

Expert Tips

1. Marinate the chicken:  This can help to tenderize the meat and infuse it with additional flavor. You can use a store-bought marinade or make your own at home. 
2. Preheat the grill: Doing this ensures that the grill grates are hot enough to sear the chicken and prevent sticking.
3. Oil the grill grates: This helps prevent sticking and ensures crispy skin.
4. Use indirect heat for bone-in thighs: Do this to avoid burning on the outside before the inside is cooked through. 
5. Close the lid: Close the lid and cook for about 6-8 minutes per side, depending on their thickness. You can brush additional marinade or sauce for added flavor.
6. Use a meat thermometer: The chicken thigh meat should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before it’s considered done. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone.
7. Let the chicken rest: let them rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving. This will help the juices redistribute throughout the meat and keep it moist and flavorful.

Storage and Leftovers 

Place leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F until heated through or place a wet paper towel over top and microwave until warm. Or just leave it cold!

One of our favorite things to do with leftover chicken is add it to cold salads. Add the leftover chicken thighs grilled peach salad, grilled zucchini salad, or this roasted sweet potato kale salad.