Quick Answer
The ideal cooking time for boneless, skinless chicken thighs on a BBQ grill is 8-12 minutes per side, flipping once halfway through. Bone-in chicken thighs with skin will take 10-15 minutes per side. Chicken thighs are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Cooking times can vary based on thickness, bone vs boneless, with or without skin, and your grill temperature. Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure chicken thighs are fully cooked.
How Long Does it Take to Grill Boneless Chicken Thighs?
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs typically take 8-12 minutes per side to grill over direct medium heat, for a total grilling time of 16-24 minutes. Here are more details on grilling boneless chicken thighs:
– Preheating your grill properly is key. You want the grill to be 350-450°F.
– Use a leave-in meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature. Remove the thighs once they reach 165°F.
– Grill the thighs over direct medium heat. Avoid flare-ups from too high of heat.
– Flip the thighs once halfway through cooking. This allows both sides to cook evenly.
– Thinner boneless thighs may cook faster, around 8-10 minutes per side. Thicker thighs can take up to 12 minutes per side.
– Brining the boneless thighs in saltwater for 30 minutes before grilling can help keep them juicy. Pat dry before grilling.
– Consider basting or glazing the last 2-3 minutes of grilling for added moisture and flavor.
How Long to Grill Bone-In Chicken Thighs?
Bone-in chicken thighs with the skin on will take a bit longer to grill than boneless thighs. Cook bone-in thighs over direct medium heat for approximately 10-15 minutes per side, 20-30 minutes total.
Factors that affect the grilling time include:
– Thickness – Thicker bone-in thighs may need closer to 15 minutes per side.
– Skin vs no skin – The skin can add insulation which extends the cooking time slightly. Skinless bone-in thighs will grill a little faster.
– Brining – Soaking the bone-in thighs in a saltwater brine for 30+ minutes before grilling can help shorten the cooking time.
– Grill temperature – A hot grill around 400°F will cook the thighs faster than a lower temperature.
– Flipping/rotating – Flip the thighs once halfway through. Also rotate for even cooking if there are hot/cold spots.
– Meat thermometer – Always rely on an instant read thermometer for doneness, not just cook times.
No matter what, bone-in chicken thighs are fully cooked once they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
How to Tell When Chicken Thighs are Done Grilling
The best way to ensure chicken thighs are fully cooked on the grill is to use a digital instant read meat thermometer. Check the internal temp in the thickest part of a thigh, without touching any bone. Chicken thighs are safely cooked once they reach 165°F internally.
Signs that chicken thighs are done grilling:
– The meat thermometer reads 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of a thigh.
– The juices run clear when pricking the thighs with a fork.
– The meat looks opaque all the way through with no pink in the center when cutting into the thigh.
– The thighs feel firm to the touch when gently pressed.
– The meat easily flakes and shreds apart with a fork.
Tips for Grilling Juicy, Flavorful Chicken Thighs
Follow these tips for the most tender, juicy chicken thigh recipe when grilling:
– Brine the thighs – Soaking boneless or bone-in thighs in a saltwater brine for 30-60 minutes before grilling helps season the meat and keeps it extra juicy. Rinse and pat dry before grilling.
– Use indirect heat – If the thighs are over an inch thick, grill them over indirect medium heat first to partially cook through before searing over direct heat. This prevents burning the outside before the inside cooks.
– Flip only once – Let the thighs cook undisturbed when first placing them on the grill before flipping. Flipping too often can cause them to dry out.
– Baste the thighs – Baste your chicken thighs during the last few minutes of grilling with barbecue sauce, olive oil, melted butter, or other glaze to keep the meat moist.
– Allow to rest – Once the thighs are done grilling, transfer them to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil. Let rest 5 minutes before serving for juicier meat.
– Use a meat thermometer – This takes the guesswork out of determining doneness. Rely on the thermometer over cook times.
How to Grill Chicken Thighs Direct vs Indirect Heat
You can use either direct or indirect heat to grill chicken thighs on a BBQ. Here is how each method works:
Direct Heat
Grilling chicken thighs directly over the heat source is best for thinner boneless thighs or when you want crispy skin on bone-in thighs.
– Preheat grill to medium-high heat, 350-450°F.
– Place thighs directly over lit burners or coals.
– Grill for 8-15 minutes per side with the lid closed as needed.
– Flip once halfway through. Check temperature.
The benefit of direct heat is it sears the outside of the thighs while cooking them through quickly. Just be careful of potential burning or drying out.
Indirect Heat
Using indirect heat works well for thicker bone-in chicken thighs, as it gently cooks the inside while adding flavor.
– Preheat grill to about 350°F, then turn off burners on one side.
– Place thighs over the unlit side and grill with the lid down for 15-25 minutes, flipping occasionally.
– Then move thighs directly over heat for about 5 minutes per side to crisp the skin.
– Check internal temperature, remove from grill at 165°F.
Indirect cooking provides a nice balance between tender, juicy meat and browned exterior. It helps prevent the thighs from overcooking or burning.
Grilling Times for Chicken Thighs Based on Thickness
The thickness of your chicken thighs will impact the grilling time. Here are estimates based on thickness:
| Chicken Thigh Thickness | Approximate Grill Time Per Side |
|---|---|
| 1/2 inch thick boneless thighs | 8-10 minutes |
| 3/4 inch thick boneless thighs | 10-12 minutes |
| 1 inch + thick boneless thighs | 12-15 minutes |
| 1/2 inch thick bone-in thighs | 10-12 minutes |
| 3/4-1 inch thick bone-in thighs | 12-15 minutes |
| 1 1/2 inch + thick bone-in thighs | 15-18 minutes |
Remember that cook times are just estimates. Always rely on an instant read thermometer to gauge doneness for chicken thighs. Grill to an internal temperature of 165°F.
How to Tell When Chicken Legs are Done on the Grill
Chicken legs take a similar amount of time to grill as bone-in thighs. Check for these signs of doneness when grilling drumsticks and leg quarters over medium heat:
– The internal temperature reads 165°F on a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest section.
– The juices run clear when pricking the chicken legs with a fork.
– The meat is opaque throughout when cutting into a leg quarter.
– The meat starts to pull back from the end of the drumstick bones.
– The skin is nicely browned and crispy.
Chicken legs are slightly smaller than thighs so they may cook 5 minutes faster per side, but still cook to the same safe internal temperature of 165°F. Allow the legs to rest 5 minutes before serving.
BBQ Chicken Thigh Marinades
Marinating your chicken thighs before throwing them on the grill infuses them with extra flavor. Try one of these easy marinades:
Greek Yogurt Marinade
– 1 cup Greek yogurt
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp lemon juice
– 1 tsp oregano
– 1 tsp black pepper
– 1/4 tsp salt
Whisk together the ingredients. Coat chicken thighs and let marinate 30 min – 1 hour before grilling.
Apple Cider Vinegar Marinade
– 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 2 tbsp maple syrup
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
– 1 tsp dried thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste
Combine ingredients to make marinade. Marinate thighs up to 4 hours, flipping occasionally.
Jerk Marinade
– 1/4 cup soy sauce
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 3 tbsp lime juice
– 2 tbsp brown sugar
– 1 tbsp Jamaican jerk seasoning
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp dried thyme
Mix together marinade ingredients. Add chicken and marinate 1-2 hours before grilling.
BBQ Chicken Thigh Recipes
These are some of the most popular ways to grill chicken thighs with extra flavor:
BBQ Chicken – Grill plain chicken thighs over direct medium heat until nearly cooked through then brush liberally with your favorite bbq sauce and continue grilling 1-2 minutes per side to caramelize the sauce.
Teriyaki Chicken – Marinate thighs in a teriyaki sauce mixture 1 hour before grilling. Discard excess marinade and grill to temperature, then glaze again with teriyaki sauce at the end.
Jamaican Jerk Chicken – Use a Caribbean jerk seasoning marinade before grilling for spice-rubbed charred chicken thighs.
Mediterranean Chicken – Marinate in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and Greek seasoning before grilling.
Tandoori Chicken – Yogurt, Indian spices, lemon, and garlic make an incredible tandoori marinade for grilled chicken thighs.
Honey Garlic Chicken – Grill plain chicken thighs until nearly done then brush with a tasty honey garlic glaze for the last few minutes on the grill.
Cajun Chicken – Rub bone-in thighs with a Cajun spice mixture before hitting the grill. The blackened seasoning adds great flavor.
Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe
This simple grilled chicken thigh recipe makes for juicy, flavorful chicken every time.
Ingredients:
– 6 bone-in chicken thighs
– 2 tbsp olive oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tsp dried oregano
– 1 tsp dried basil
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions:
1. Whisk together olive oil, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
2. Place chicken thighs in a shallow baking dish. Coat both sides with the olive oil mixture. Cover and marinate 30 minutes – 1 hour in the refrigerator.
3. Preheat grill to medium heat, 350-450°F. Grill chicken thighs skin-side down first over direct heat for 12-15 minutes until browned, flipping once halfway through.
4. Brush any leftover marinade over both sides during the last 2 minutes of grilling. Grill until chicken is completely cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
5. Remove thighs from the grill and let rest 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Grilled Chicken Thigh FAQs
Should I grill chicken thighs skin-side up or down first?
It’s best to start grilling chicken thighs skin-side down first. This helps render the fat under the skin and makes it deliciously crispy. Then flip and cook flesh-side down for the second half.
Do I need to tenderize chicken thighs before grilling?
No, chicken thighs are naturally tender and don’t need to be tenderized. In fact, tenderizing can make them mushy.
Can I grill frozen chicken thighs?
It’s safest to thaw chicken thighs fully in the refrigerator before grilling. Grilling from frozen runs the risk of the outside burning before the inside thaws.
At what temperature are chicken thighs done?
Chicken thighs are fully cooked once they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Always use a thermometer to check doneness.
Should I sear chicken thighs first or grill entirely over direct heat?
For juicy thighs, it’s best to grill them over direct medium heat the entire time without searing. Flipping once halfway through allows both sides to cook evenly.
Conclusion
Grilling juicy, flavorful chicken thighs takes around 8-15 minutes per side over direct medium heat on a preheated grill, depending on thickness. Bone-in thighs take a little longer than boneless. Allowing the thighs to marinate before grilling enhances the flavor. Use a meat thermometer to guarantee they reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F. Basting, glazing, or basting during grilling helps keep the meat moist. Resting the grilled thighs for 5 minutes before serving allows the juices to redistribute. With the proper technique, you can make irresistibly tender and delicious BBQ chicken thighs on the grill.