These Barbecue Grilled Chicken Thighs are tender, succulent, and garnished with a crunchy skin. The dense and flavorful barbecue sauce complements this seasoned and smoky meat perfectly.
If you enjoy barbecuing, then you should definitely experiment with these fantastic Grilled Chicken Skewers and Grilled Barbecue Meatballs.
Detailed Recipe
These Barbecue Grilled Chicken Thighs are among my preferred dishes for summertime. Barbecuing outdoors is fantastic and these thighs are a true hit when served with other beloved summertime dishes.
- FLAVOR: Smoky and savory, these chicken thighs feature a blend of garlic, sweet, and spicy barbecue sauce that is unparalleled.
- CONSISTENCY: The chicken is moist and tender internally with a crispy exterior skin.
- TIME: Preparing and cooking this dish only takes around 20 minutes, and marinating the meat takes 3 hours.
- SIMPLICITY: These Barbecue Grilled Chicken Thighs are straightforward and delectable. I’ll guide you through the easy preparation of this loved summer dish for your family and friends.
Necessary Ingredients
Points about Ingredients
- Chicken thighs- We opt for bone-in, skin-on thighs for their high moisture content and flavor.
- Garlic cloves– Utilizing freshly pressed garlic provides the best flavor.
- BBQ sauce– We favor the Kinder mild barbecue sauce, but you can select your favorite brand.
Additional Options and Replacements
- Opt for boneless, skinless chicken- While the recipe specifies bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, it can also be prepared with boneless, skinless thighs. This option will lead to faster cooking.
- Try different seasonings- Besides onion powder, salt, and black pepper, you can season the meat with cayenne pepper, rosemary, thyme, sage, or cumin.
- Experiment with another barbecue sauce- Although we prefer Kinder mild sauce, you could prepare your Homemade BBQ Sauce or use any other preferred brand.
- Incorporate brown sugar- Enhance the sweetness of this savory dish by adding brown sugar to the marinade.
Procedure for Cooking Grilled Barbecue Chicken Thighs
- Mix seasonings with oil. In a small dish, blend the olive oil, crushed garlic, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Keep it aside.
- Prepare the chicken. Rinse and dry the chicken thighs with a paper towel. Put them in a large bowl or a gallon-sized ziplock bag.
- Marinate. Drizzle the marinade mix over the chicken thighs, seal the bag, massage it into the chicken, and marinate in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
- Cook skin side down. Heat the grill to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease the grill grates with a bit of olive oil and then grill the marinated chicken, skin side down, for roughly 3-5 minutes.
- Flip them. Subsequently, turn over the chicken and grill for another 7 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165ºF.
- Apply barbecue sauce. Lower the heat and brush your preferred BBQ sauce, allowing it to thicken on both sides of the chicken for around 1-2 minutes per side.
Expert Suggestion:Â If you seek a crunchier skin on the chicken, grill skin side down for a few minutes extra.
Insights for the Recipe
- Pat the chicken thighs dry- Oil and water do not mix, hence use paper towels to dry the chicken thighs so that the garlic-infused oil marinade can adhere to the meat.
- Marinate for at least 2 hours- The longer the meat marinates, the more flavors and moisture it absorbs. Preparing this the night before will imbue the thighs with exceptional flavor.
- Check for doneness- Employ a meat thermometer to verify that the chicken is thoroughly cooked, with an internal temperature of at least 165ºF.
- Thicken the barbecue sauce- Allowing the sauced chicken to sit on the grill over low heat will reduce the sauce, thicken it, and enhance its taste. A few minutes suffice in this process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grilling bone-in chicken thighs takes around 14 minutes on the barbecue. You must grill both sides and ascertain that the internal temperature reaches 165ºF.
Grill the chicken thighs with the barbecue lid closed. This keeps the heat retained inside, ensuring comprehensive cooking via both flames and heat.
Suggestions for Serving
These Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs are an excellent summer dish. Enjoy them with other barbecue favorites, salads, accompaniments, and a sweet treat.
- Meats: Pair these yummy chicken thighs with some Grilled BBQ Meatballs, BBQ Chicken Wings, Smoked Ribs, and Chipotle Burgers with Avocado Sauce.
- Salad: Indulge in this main course with some refreshing salads like Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, Avocado Corn Salad, Cucumber Radish Salad, or Tomato Garlic Salad.
- Side Dishes: Serve alongside some Potato Salad with Baked Salmon, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, coleslaw, or macaroni salad.
- Desserts: Complete the meal with a delectable dessert such as Fruit Pizza, Lemon Pound Cake (VIDEO), Strawberry Bundt Cake, or Blueberry Pie.
Prepare This Recipe Early
Prep in advance: You can prepare the chicken and let it marinate overnight, then grill it the following day.
Storage: Store any leftover Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat them in the oven, on the grill, or in the microwave.
Freezing: If the thighs have not been frozen before, you can freeze them once they have cooled. Place them in a freezer ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
More Delicious BBQ!
Grilled BBQ Meatballs
BBQ Chicken Wings
Homemade BBQ Sauce
Barbecue Pork Ribs
Complete Recipe Instructions
In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, crushed garlic, salt, pepper, and onion powder.
Clean and dry the chicken thighs with a kitchen towel. Then place them in a large bowl or gallon-sized ziplock bag. Tip: while this recipe specifies bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, it can also be prepared with boneless, skinless thighs for a quicker cooking time.
Pour the marinade over the chicken thighs and close the bag. Massage the garlic-oil mixture into the chicken and let it marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
Preheat the grill to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease the grill grates lightly with olive oil. Then place the marinated chicken skin side down and grill for about 3-5 minutes. Tip: For a crispier skin, cook the chicken skin side down for a few more minutes.
Flip the chicken and grill for another 7 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165ºF.
Reduce the heat and brush on your preferred BBQ sauce (such as Kinder brand) and allow the sauce to thicken on both sides of the chicken for about 1-2 minutes per side.
Calories: 563kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 45
