You’ll make the juiciest grilled bone in chicken thighs with this easy recipe. The simple marinade and grilling process make for an easy weeknight dinner that is packed with flavor.
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Grilled Chicken Thighs on Gas Grill
This recipe is the best because the easy marinade does the heavy lifting to create incredibly juicy chicken thighs. It’s a barbecuing classic that everyone loves. Plus, chicken thighs are hard to overcook, so I never have to worry about having dry pieces of chicken. Whether you are new to the grill or a master chef, this recipe is a simple one that tastes as good as it looks.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
Below is everything you need to make these chicken thighs, as well as some simple substitution recommendations.
- 8-10 chicken thighs (8-10 thighs – $9.05) – The protein star of this recipe. Chicken thighs are naturally juicier pieces of meat, so they are perfect for grilling. Use bone-in or boneless chicken thighs for this grilling recipe. The pictures show bone in chicken thighs.
- Fresh lemon juice (½ cup – $0.50) – Helps to tenderize the chicken. You can use bottled lemon juice as a substitute.
- Worcestershire Sauce (3 Tbs – $0.17) – Adds richness to the marinade. Soy sauce with a bit of vinegar and sugar will give a similar taste.
- Olive oil (¼ cup – $0.75) – Helps to keep the chicken moist during the grilling process. Avocado oil is a great substitute.
- Fresh oregano (2 Tbs – $0.50) – You can use minced or two teaspoons dried oregano.
- Fresh parsley, (¼ cup – $0.50) – You can use minced and lightly packed or four teaspoons dried parsley as an alternative.
- Fresh basil (¼ cup – $0.50) – Use minced and lightly packed or four teaspoons dried basil as a substitute.
- Garlic (3 cloves – $0.10) – Use ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder instead of fresh.
- Brown sugar (1 Tbs – $0.05) – The secret to caramelizing the chicken while it’s grilling to get that perfectly crispy skin.
- Paprika (½ tsp – $0.03) – Gives a mild smokiness to the chicken. Use smoked paprika for a deeper smoky taste.
- Salt (½ tsp – $0.01) – Enhances the overall flavor of the dish. Use Kosher salt or sea salt.
- Black pepper (½ tsp – $0.01) – Adds a mild heat to the dish. Freshly cracked or regular black pepper will work.
How To Make Grilled Skin On Chicken Thighs
Make the marinade, soak the chicken, chill, and grill. Let me show you how.
- Whisk together the chicken marinade ingredients.
- Add the bone-in chicken thighs and marinade to a Ziploc bag and chill in the fridge.
- Remove the thighs from the fridge and preheat the grill.
- Set the thighs, skin side down, on the grill grates.
- Grill for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Let the chicken rest for ten minutes before serving.
Recipe Tip
After marinating the chicken, remove the thighs from the fridge to allow them to come to room temperature before grilling. This helps the chicken cook more evenly, resulting in juicier grilled chicken.
Grilled Chicken Thighs
Recipe Cost 12.17 Serving Cost 1.52Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- mixing bowl
- whisk
- Ziploc bag
- gas grill
- Grilling spatula
Ingredients
CHICKEN:
- 8-10 chicken thighs
MARINADE:
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons fresh oregano minced or 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ¼ cup fresh parsley minced and lightly packed or 4 teaspoons dried parsley
- ¼ cup fresh basil minced and lightly packed or 4 teaspoons dried basil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Whisk together the marinade ingredients in a medium bowl.
- Add the thighs to a large zip-top bag and pour in the marinade.
- Seal the bag and shake it to coat it all around. Refrigerate for 8 hours, up to 24 hours.
- After marinating, remove chicken thighs from the refrigerator while you preheat your grill to 425° F.
- Place chicken thighs skin side down on a hot grill and grill for 2-3 minutes until you get a good sear. Flip and sear the other side for another 2-3 minutes.
- Move the chicken to an unlit side of the grill over indirect heat and cook until they reach an internal temperature of 165° F on an instant-read thermometer, flipping occasionally.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
The secret to this juicy chicken is the marinade. The longer the chicken soaks in the marinade, the more tender and juicy the chicken will be. I recommend marinating the chicken for at least 8 hours and up to 24 hours.
Use an internal meat thermometer to check the chicken for doneness. It should be at 165 degrees F.
Chicken thighs are so versatile that many side dishes go with them. Some of my favorites include a pasta salad, roasted veggies, corn on the cob, mac and cheese, a fresh fruit salad, or potato salad, all of which complement these chicken thighs nicely.
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