For the best seasoned grilled boneless skinless chicken thighs, this easy recipe is simply perfect. The dry rub for this recipe is sweet, spicy, and bold. So prepare your grill, rub on the spice blend, and in less than 30 minutes you have dinner.
This grilled chicken thigh recipe is great for summer, especially holiday cookouts, tailgating on game day, or camping. But it is so yummy and easy to make that it should be part of your regular meal rotation all year long.
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The Why
Ok, I know what you are thinking... "what is so special about BBQing chicken thighs - looks boring?" Nope, not at all. Here are all the reasons why you will love this recipe:
- Lots of flavors from simple pantry ingredients.
- Quick 15 minutes on the grill.
- Boneless skinless meat is great for meal planning; make rice bowls, add to salads, enjoy in a sandwich or wrap - the possibilities are endless.
- Inexpensive protein great for your budget or when you need to feed a crowd.
If you love to grill chicken, you will also love my recipe for Boneless Skinless BBQ Chicken Breasts. Both come out tender & moist & go great with a Simple Spinach Salad.
Ingredients
This grilled chicken thigh recipe only calls for 4 ingredients, plus some salt & pepper. There is no sauce or marinade for this recipe, just a simple homemade seasoning blend with Mediterranean flavors. I told you, EASY!
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs - pat them dry so the spice blend will stick.
- Brown Sugar - for sweetness & caramelization.
- Paprika - smokey flavor and color.
- Garlic Powder - a bold aromatic that is great on any chicken dish.
- Salt & Black Pepper - classic spices.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Begin by preparing your charcoal grill or preheating your propane/gas grill. You want the grill to be at 350° when you put the chicken on to the barbecue. Here is how to make this recipe:
- Make the Spice Rub
- Grill the Chicken Thighs
- Serve
1 - Make the Spice Rub
Make sure the chicken is dry so the spices will stick. Pat them dry on both sides with a paper towel.
Add brown sugar to the 4 spices. Stir to combine into a sweet & spicy dry rub.
Press the sprinkled-on seasoning blend so it coats and sticks to both sides of the chicken thighs.
2 - Grill the Chicken Thighs
Boneless skinless chicken thighs cook quickly on the grill. If the grill holds a steady 350°, they are done in 10-12 minutes.
We are grilling these with two different steps. Trust me, this is how to do it for the best chicken - not overcooked & won't be dry!
Place chicken on the hot grill. Over direct heat, sear for 3 minutes on each side & leave the lid on the grill open.
Move them to the side & cook over indirect heat for another 3-5 minutes with the lid now closed.
They are done when the internal temp is 165°. I use a quick-read instant thermometer to check and my favorite one is listed below - it's magnetic too so I never lose it!
Hint: let the grill run for 5 minutes to burn off any remnants, then clean it. I like to use this bristle-free barbecue brush for cleaning the grill.
To make grilling uncomplicated no matter what you are cooking, check out, Grilling with the Lid on or Off - all you need to know.
3 - Serve
Let the chicken thighs rest for a few minutes before slicing. This will let the juices settle and not just run out of the meat when cut. Serve with a side dish like homemade sweet potato fries.
Substitutions & Variations
Here are a few alterations you can make to this recipe to make it your own. If you have dietary needs, such as on a low-carb or Paleo diet, here is how you make a few simple substitutions.
- Brown Sugar - for a Paleo version use coconut sugar or use golden monk fruit for a keto or low-carb grilled chicken thigh.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs - see the FAQ section below for other chicken pieces that will work.
- Extra Spicy - add ½ teaspoon chili pepper flakes to the seasonings
- Low-Sodium- cut the salt amount in half or omit
These grilled thighs are gluten-free, low-calorie, dairy-free, & nut-free.
Top Tips & Equipment
All of these great tips are shared in the recipe card. But these are so good and important they are worth highlighting so you don't miss them.
- Add spices to chicken pieces that have been patted dry.
- Sear the chicken first over direct heat with the lid open and then finish it with the lid closed over indirect heat.
- Bring your grill to 350° before adding the chicken
This recipe works on any type of grill -charcoal, propane, gas, or electric.
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FAQ
Depending on your dietary goals and situation, chicken can be a healthy part of a complete diet. For those on a low-fat diet, chicken thighs that are skinless are a good option.
However, for those on a keto or high-fat diet, chicken thighs with skin are preferred. But thighs are fattier than breasts with twice the amount.
I love making a big batch of these ahead of time to enjoy all week for lunch or dinner. They are perfect for adding to wraps, sandwiches, soups, and salads like my Broccoli Apple Salad. Or make a bowl with some Chicken Broth Rice & Steamed Frozen Veggies.
Final Notes & Behind the Scenes
Here is my recipe for success - including what I learned, fun stories or bloopers, and more from creating & testing this recipe for GRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS.
- Smoked sweet or hot paprika works - use whichever your family would prefer. We like a combination for a sweet heat.
- If you only have bone-in thighs, here is any easy way to debone them.
- I have been making for almost 30 years. I started making this in 1995, tailgating at Oakland Raider games for a quick cook so I didn't miss kickoff.
- What will you serve these with?
Grilled Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- grill
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
Instructions
- Prepare the charcoal, gas, or propane grill. The grill should be at 350° before starting to cook.
- First, mix the brown sugar and the spices in a small bowl.
- Once combined, sprinkle it on both sides of the chicken. Using your hands, pat the seasoning blend so it sticks to the chicken.
- Place the boneless skinless chicken thighs on the hot grill. Leave the lid open and sear each side for 3 minutes.
- Once each side is seared, move them to the side or top rack for indirect heat. Now close the lid to finish cooking them for another 3-5 minutes.
- Using an instant-read thermometer, check for an internal temperature of 165°.
- Remove from the grill to a serving platter. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
More Grilled Chicken Recipes
If you love this recipe, try these similar favorites here on the blog:
This recipe is a favorite on my list of Best 30-Minute Low-Carb Chicken Recipes.
Ami says
Angela, great looking chicken thighs! Nice and juicy! Gonna try this tomorrow can't wait looks delicious 😍😍😍