Name: Grilled Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Grilled
Ingredients: 8 large or 12 small chicken thighs, boneless skinless or bone-in, skin-on (about 3 pounds); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce or a1 sauce; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme; 2 teaspoons kosher salt

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Here’s how to grill chicken thighs! This easy method with a tasty marinade works for grilling bone-in or boneless thighs.

Got some chicken thighs? If it’s the season, grilled chicken thighs are where it’s at! Marinate them in a zingy mixture of Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and spices, then throw them on the grill and cook until they’re juicy and infused with smoky flavor. You can make either grilled boneless chicken thighs or bone-in with this recipe, or a mix of both! Here’s everything you need to know (or go to our other favorite method, Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs).

What you need for grilled chicken thighs (boneless vs bone-in)

To make grilled chicken thighs, you’ll need 8 large or 12 small for 4 servings. Many chefs and experts say that chicken thighs are the best cut of chicken, so you’re in for a treat! They’re fattier than chicken breasts, which gives them a more intense, rich flavor than the white meat.

This recipe works for both grilled boneless chicken thighs and bone-in, skin-on thighs.
Bone-in, skin-on thighs have the best flavor. When you cook chicken with the bone in, the flavors inside the bone spread out onto the meat, leaving you with a meatier, richer flavor (per Bon Appetit, who says “bone-in chicken thighs are just plain better.”). The skin also becomes crispy and seasoned.
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs also work, and are easier to eat. They also taste great grilled, and take slightly less time to grill.

Tips for the grilling marinade

This grilled chicken thigh marinade uses less liquid than marinades you might be used to. This allows all the flavor to stay on the chicken, making it more flavorful overall. The consistency is in between a dry rub and a wet marinade.

Add the marinade to the thicken thighs, place it in a sealed container, and allow to marinate refrigerated for at least 30 minutes. If desired, you can marinate for up 8 hours in advance. The ingredients in this chicken thigh marinade are:

Olive oil
Dijon mustard
Lemon juice
Worcestershire sauce or a1 sauce
Garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme
Salt

How long to grill chicken thighs

How long to grill chicken thighs depends on the size of the thighs and whether they are bone-in or boneless. At medium-high heat, small chicken thighs take 9 to 11 minutes to grill and large take 10 to 13 minutes to grill, with boneless at the shorter end of each range. Here’s how to grill chicken thighs:

Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375°F to 450°F).
Grill the thighs smooth side down until grill marks appear and it releases from the grates, 5 to 6 minutes for small thighs and 6 to 8 for large thighs. Flip and cook until the internal temperature is 165°F, 4 to 5 minutes.
Remove to a platter and cover with foil. Rest for 5 minutes for maximum juiciness.

Sauces for grilled chicken thighs

These grilled chicken thighs come out perfectly seasoned. Take them up another level served with a dipping sauce! One of our favorite sauces for chicken thighs is this buffalo ranch, which we like to serve with our crispy baked chicken thighs. Here are a few more chicken thigh sauce ideas:

Buy organic chicken if possible

When shopping for grilled chicken thighs, keep in mind: the best chicken to buy is organic. Buying organic makes sure that it is the highest quality meat that was raised sustainably. It is also free of chemicals and additives so it’s the healthiest option for eating, and overall: it just tastes better!

Per the USDA, organic chicken must be raised in living conditions that accommodate their natural behaviors (like grazing on pasture), fed 100% organic feed and forage, and not given antibiotics or hormones.

More chicken recipes

Grilled chicken thighs is an essential recipe for grilling season! Here are a few more basic chicken recipes you’ll love:

Make Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs with the best chicken seasoning
Mix up a batch of Shredded Chicken for enchiladas
Try Creamy Garlic Chicken or a whole Rotisserie Chicken
Go for Grilled Chicken, Pesto Chicken or a Chicken Pesto Sandwich

Baked Chicken Thighs

Shredded Chicken

Rotisserie Chicken

Grilled Chicken

This grilled chicken thighs recipe is…

Gluten-free and dairy-free.