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boneless grilled chicken thighs on a plate

Best Grilled Chicken Thigh Recipe

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Grilling chicken thighs is the best way to make tender, juicy chicken with amazing flavor in no time. Here's our favorite grilled chicken thigh recipe, complete with the best chicken marinade.
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Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Marinade Time30 minutes
Total Time45 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Author: Molly

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs (Note 1 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs)

Marinade (Note 2)

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice (Juice from ½ a lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon EACH: dried oregano, dried basil, kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Add all of the ingredients, except the chicken, to a glass bowl with a lid or a gallon freezer bag or reusable silicone bag. Whisk or mix everything together then add the chicken and turn to coat it well if using a bowl or dish. Close the lid and shake well to coat if you're using a bag.
  • Marinate the chicken in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or up to 12 hours. Do not exceed 24 hours. Turn the chicken occasionally to ensure each piece and each side of the chicken are evenly coated.
  • Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (400-450°F).
  • Remove the chicken from the marinade , shaking off any excess marinade, garlic, or herbs. Place the chicken thighs directly on the grill with the smooth side down. Close the lid and grill for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature of the chicken thighs reach just below 165°F. This allows for up to 5 degrees of carryover cooking while it rests.
  • Remove the chicken thighs to a clean plate or cutting board, cover lightly with foil, and rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to finish cooking and lock in the juices.

Recipe Equipment

Gas grill or Charcoal Grill

Notes

Note 1. Bone-In Skin-On Chicken Thighs. These will take longer to cook so you’ll need to utilize two-zone grilling. Preheat one side of the grill to medium-high heat, leaving one side off. Close the lid and bring the overall temperature of the grill up to 400-450°F. Grill the chicken thighs, skin-side-down first, for 8-10 minutes on each side. Move the thighs over to indirect heat, close the lid, and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches approximately 165°F.
Note 2. Marinade. We love this Greek Lemon Chicken Marinade. However, you can choose from a basic marinade of soy sauce, brown sugar, olive oil, garlic, and salt, or try one of these 6 best chicken marinades.

Nutrition

Serving: 6ounces | Calories: 341kcal | Carbohydrates: 6.9g | Protein: 44.7g | Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 213.1mg | Sodium: 216.6mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 2.5mg
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