How Do I Grill Chicken Thighs Without Burning Them
Heres a few tricks that may help you grill the chicken thighs without burning them:
- Youll want to keep an eye on the chicken thighs too since the marinade has honey in it. The sugars from the honey can burn, so moving it around away from the hottest point of the grill may help with that.
- Dont force the chicken to flip until its ready. If you try pulling the chicken off the grill, the outside can stick and burn.
- Use indirect heat rather than placing the thighs right over the flame source to ensure it cooks at a more even speed.
Why I Love These Grilled Chicken Thighs
Weve been spending days at the pool lately, and there is nothing I like better than coming home to a dinner thats already prepared.
These chicken thighs are perfect for that because I can throw them into a quick marinade before leaving and theyre ready for the grill when we get home.
The last time we made these, I served them with grilled asparagus and we even grilled some tater tots to go with them, but they would be great with some vegetable pasta salad or this hearty wheat berry salad.
Why We Love This Recipe For Grilled Greek Boneless Chicken Thighs
When the weather is too hot to be indoors in a steamy kitchen, the place to be is on the patio, a cool drink in hand, tending the grill. Thats where youll find me this summer, and in all likelihood, Ill be making another batch of this Grilled Greek Chicken.
I have tons of grilled chicken recipes here on Healthy Seasonal Recipes, from Lemon Garlic Grilled Chicken, the Best Grilled Island Marinated Chicken, Garlic Herb Marinated Chicken to my Chipotle Maple Barbecued Chicken Thighs, you know I love a good grilled chicken recipe! And my guess is thats why youre here today too! Chicken is almost everyones favorite protein!
And, friends, this one is a new favorite! I love how simple the ingredient list is And it takes only a few minutes to whisk the garlic, lemon and oregano-based marinade together.
The chicken can marinate for just a couple of hours, or you can leave it in the marinade longer for even more juicy flavor! The results are tender succulent chicken thighs, perfect for a simple dinner with friends and family, or just an easy weeknight dinner idea. Serve them with our easy Orzo Greek Pasta Salad for a complete healthy seasonal meal. Or you could also, slice the grilled chicken and make Greek Gyros with yogurt sauce in pita pockets.
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How Long Do Chicken Thighs Take To Grill
Cooking time will depend on what temperature you put your grill on. If you use medium high heat and depending of the thickness of thighs it will take about 7 to 10 minutes to cook your thighs.
An instant read meat thermometer is the best way to know when the chicken is ready to enjoy. Make sure that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Use the meat thermometer at the thickest part of the chicken thigh.
Quick & Easy Bbq Chicken
![The Best Easy Grilled Chicken Thighs The Best Easy Grilled Chicken Thighs](https://www.grillproclub.com/wp-content/uploads/the-best-easy-grilled-chicken-thighs-juicy-marinated-boneless.jpeg)
Grilled chicken is one of our favourite go-to easy dinners, so thats why weve been loving these grilled BBQ chicken thighs!
The sweet and smoky BBQ marinade is a cinch to prepare, and results in the most flavourful and juicy chicken with a lightly charred and crispy exterior.
Additionally, because skinless boneless chicken thighs are used, the cooking time is super quick. You can whip up the simple marinade in the morning and let the chicken infuse in all of those delicious flavours throughout the day.
When meal time rolls around, simply heat the grill and barbecue the chicken in less than 15 minutes. It pairs well with so many different sides and the leftovers are always tasty too !
Next time youre looking for a mouthwatering way to prep your chicken, add this easy BBQ chicken to your list!
For more delicious ways to flavour up grilled chicken, be sure to check out these Healthy Chicken Marinades and this Curry Chicken Marinade!
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How To Make Honey Grilled Chicken:
Lets divide the whole process into 4 simple steps:
Step 1 Make homemade grill seasoning
Like Ive said it is pretty simple and only takes a few minutes to make. You will need 4 spices + salt: Combine these in a small bowl and you are done. You can move onto the next step.
Step 2 Prepare honey lemon marinade
Now this grilled chicken also needs a good marinade like this one! In a bowl/zip-lock bag or a casserole dish mix together honey, olive oil, garlic and lemon juice. Thats it.
Step 3 Season + Marinate
Season each chicken thigh well and place them in the bag or bowl/casserole dish where you have the marinade. Close or cover with cling film and refrigerate for 3+ hours, for best results overnight.
Step 4 Grill
The grilling will take about 12-15 minutes per side when using bone-in chicken thighs. Check with thermometer or cut one thigh in half to see if it is cooked well .
Ingredient substitutions:
- Chicken thighs, bone in use boneless thighs. You could also use breasts or drumsticks but thighs are the best for grilling.
- Homemade grill seasoning if you have your favorite grill seasoning on hand, then go ahead and use that.
- Extra virgin olive oil vegetable or sunflower will work as well.
More grilling & chicken recipes:
To Season Or To Season Very Little
This post is less a recipe on how to season boneless skinless chicken thighs as it is guidelines for achieving the perfect cook on the grill – we’re talking moist, juicy, smoky chicken thighs!
When cooking chicken thighs on the grill you DON’T need to marinate first! Kudos to you if you have time/prefer to marinate your chicken thighs before cooking, but ya don’t have to if you don’t wanna. And it’s all thanks to that magically delicious dark meat.
Season your chicken however you like, with everything from an elaborate marinade or spice rub to plain old salt and pepper. Either way, your grilled chicken thighs will be Delicious with a capital D.
But I won’t leave you hanging in the seasoning department. I opted for a homemade Adobo Seasoning for the pictured chicken. Click the link to get the recipe, or check it out below :). I drizzled canola oil over 8 chicken thighs, then showered them with Spicy Adobo Seasoning. I put them in a Ziploc gallon bag for 20-30 minutes before grilling.
You might also consider this easy Grilled Ranch Chicken.
Or if you prefer it sauce-y, try this super easy and bold Honey Chipotle Sauce.
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What To Serve With Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Salad. Swap the chicken in this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad for diced grilled chicken thighs. For a delicious grilled combo, pair these thighs with Grilled Corn Salad.
- Potatoes. Keep it classic cookout with Potato Salad or use the grill to make Grilled Potatoes.
- Rice. Serve your chicken with a side of Lemon Rice for a tasty meal.
Grilled chicken thighs have the power to make any night more special and scrumptious.
I know youre going to love them, and I hope they are a steadfast answer to your own Whats for dinner???? question too.
What To Serve With Chicken Thighs
Here are some great side dish recipes that go well with grilled chicken thighs. Whether you want a salad, potato, vegetable, gluten-free, keto, or more all of these sides go well with barbecued boneless skinless chicken thighs. The simplest is some Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli but all of these are easy to make and yummy.
- Deep-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
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How Long To Grill
Boneless skinless chicken thighs cook quickly on the grill. If the grill holds a steady 350°, the chicken should be done in 10-12 minutes total. Here is the best way to barbecue these is quick and with the lid opened for searing and closed for the final minutes. To make grilling uncomplicated no matter what you are cooking, check out, Grilling with the Lid on or Off – all you need to know.
Faqs And Tips For Making The Best Grilled Chicken Thighs
How long can I marinate chicken?
The ideal time for marinating chicken is anywhere from 12 24 hours. The longer you marinate the more flavor you will add to your chicken, but even 1 hour of marinating will make a huge difference in the flavor of the chicken.
What happens if you marinate chicken too long?
If you marinate chicken for more than 24 hours, it will eventually become tough and rubbery. For optimal texture, you want to marinate your chicken between 12-24 hours.
Do you rinse marinade off chicken before cooking?
You should discard marinade before cooking chicken, but you dont need to rinse it. Simply remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with a paper towel before cooking.
How long should I grill boneless chicken thighs?
Boneless skinless chicken thighs generally take about 12 15 minutes to grill over medium-high heat, but that time can vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces.
What temperature should my grill be to cook chicken?
To prevent food borne illness always cook your chicken to an internal temperature of 165F.
How can you tell if chicken thighs are cooked?
I always recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of chicken thighs, but the chicken will no longer be pink in the center and juices should run clear.
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Do Boneless Chicken Thighs Cook Faster
Boneless chicken thighs are the quickest cooking option, and roasting skin-on thighs in an oven can yield a crispy surface even without the chicken skin. Thanks to the even heat of an oven, the bone-in variety can also cook evenly.
Ingredients And Estimated Cost
![Grab some boneless, skinless chicken thighs, marinate them in this ... Grab some boneless, skinless chicken thighs, marinate them in this ...](https://www.grillproclub.com/wp-content/uploads/grab-some-boneless-skinless-chicken-thighs-marinate-them-in-this.png)
- 8-10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs $3.69
- ½ cup olive oil $1.12
- ¼ cup light brown sugar $0.11
- 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar $0.20
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce $0.06
- 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard $0.04
- 2 teaspoons onion powder $0.06
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder $0.06
- 1 teaspoon salt $0.01
- ½ teaspoon black pepper $0.04
NOTE:The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.
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How Do I Make A Honey Garlic Chicken Marinade
To a small bowl add the honey, oil, soy sauce, water, minced garlic, garlic powder and ground pepper. Whisk the ingredients well until the honey is dissolved into the rest of the ingredients.
Place the chicken in a resealable plastic bag or a shallow baking dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken and coating it on all sides. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
Why Should You Preheat Your Grill Before Cooking Chicken Thighs
First, you should preheat your grill to the recommended temperature if youre using a charcoal grill or a pellet smoker. Its always best to preheat your grill on high settings and gradually lower the temperature. Doing so will ensure that you get the right temperature from the start and that the cooking time remains the same as estimated. It is because charcoal grills and pellet smokers take longer to reach the desired temperature.
On the other hand, a gas grill doesnt take much time to prepare. However, it would be best if you also preheated a gas grill with its lid close to the desired temperature for more accuracy.
If you dont preheat your grill before putting your food onto the grill grates, the estimated cooking time can go irrelevant or altogether invalid. Consequently, you may end up undercooking your food and exposing yourself to food-borne illnesses.
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How To Grill Chicken Thighs On Gas Grill
- When youre ready to grill the chicken, brush the BBQ with oil, and then preheat the grill to medium . Pick up the chicken thighs with tongs or a fork, allowing any excess marinade to drip off. Place chicken thighs on BBQ and cook for 4 minutes until nicely caramelized.
- Flip chicken thighs, and then brush generously with reserved glaze. Cook for 4 additional minutes. Flip, brush with more glaze, flip again and brush with remaining glaze.
- Chicken is cooked when an instant read thermometer registers 170-175° F when inserted into the thickest part of the meat.
Keep scrolling for the full printable BBQ chicken recipe!
Ingredient Substitutions And Recommendations:
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs for this marinade recipe, you could substitute any chicken parts. Breasts, legs, quarters or any other bone-in cut of chicken.
- Olive Oil or Avocado Oil because avocado oil has a higher smoke-point than olive oil, I tend to use avocado oil more when grilling. This helps the chicken from sticking to the grill and not burning. Olive oil is also a good option should you not have avocado oil on hand.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the recipe at the bottom of the post. Thanks!
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How Long Do You Boil Boneless Chicken Thighs
Cook chicken thighs in the boiling liquid for 30 to 45 minutes. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat with the lid on the pot. Then, take off the lid and turn the burner down to medium-high. If youre using thighs with bones, boil them for up to 45 minutes or boil boneless thighs for about 30 minutes.
What Is Adobo Seasoning
Adobo seasoning is one of those all-purpose seasonings that you can easily make from seasoning staples like garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oregano. Mine strays from traditional adobo seasonings because I wanted to bring the heat with cayenne pepper and chili powder. One of the best things about homemade adobo seasoning is that it’s endlessly customizable and can be used in many applications, even if your meal doesn’t slant Latin American.
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How To Make This Recipe With Frozen Chicken:
To make this recipe with frozen chicken, just pour the marinade over the frozen chicken thighs and marinate in the refrigerator for about 24 hours, or until the chicken is defrosted.
For best results, marinate the chicken in a gallon size zip lock bag where the chicken can spread out as it thaws. Turn the chicken every few hours if possible to help the marinade distribute evenly throughout the chicken
How To Grill Chicken Thighs
![Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs](https://www.grillproclub.com/wp-content/uploads/grilled-boneless-skinless-chicken-thighs-midwexican.jpeg)
Grilling boneless, skinless chicken thighs couldnt be easier. Since theyre dark meat, they dont dry out as easily, making them almost impossible to mess up.
Combine the marinade ingredients is a large bowl and add the chicken. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until youre ready to grill.
Grill the chicken. Preheat your grill to medium high heat. Remove the chicken from it marinade at pat dry. Grill your chicken thighs for 6 7 minutes per side, or until their internal temperature reaches 165F.
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A Word About Suitable Temperature For Grilling
Its impossible to tell the time it takes to cook any food without mentioning the temperature youre cooking. For this reason, the most suitable option is to know the safe minimum internal temperature of the food youre cooking.
You should cook all foods to their safe minimum internal temperature to kill food poisoning bacteria. To check the safe minimum internal temperature, insert the food thermometer probe into the foods thickest, innermost, or central part. Once the safe minimum internal temperature is reached, you can take your food out from the grill.
It would be best to allow your cooked food a rest time of around ten minutes before serving. The carryover heat continues to cook your food for some time, even after youve removed it from the grill. Allow the carryover heat to do its work, and it will cook your food to perfection.
When it comes to grilling boneless chicken thighs, as per USDA, FSIS, and FDA guidelines, the internal temperature of the thighs should register 165°F at least once. However, you can cook your boneless chicken thighs further to achieve the level of doneness you love.
Ensure that your thermometer probe goes straight into pieces but doesnt come out the other side and touch the grill grates.
How Long Does It Take To Grill Boneless Chicken Thighs At 350 F
It takes slightly longer to grill boneless chicken thighs at 350 F because youre grilling over medium heat. Boneless chicken thighs should take around 25 minutes to grill over 350 F. However, its always advised to check the internal temperature of the meat before taking it out from the grates.
If the internal temperature taken from the innermost part of the boneless chicken thighs doesnt register 17165 F, allow the thighs some more time to cook until they reach their safe minimum internal temperature.
Put your boneless chicken thighs skin-side down and cook them for at least 10 minutes. Now flip over the sides and grill them for an additional 15 minutes. Check the internal temperature of the boneless chicken thighs, take them out of the grill, and allow them a rest time of around 10 minutes.
The grilling time of boneless chicken thighs at 350 F may vary based on your recipe and the thickness of the chicken thighs. You can cook boneless chicken thighs for some more time to achieve your desired level of doneness.
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