Easy Grilled Chicken Thighs (Bone-In or Boneless!) (VIDEO)

What Ingredients do I need for Grilled Chicken Thighs?

• 3 lbs bone in or boneless chicken thighs, with skin
  • This recipe for Grilled Chicken Thighs is written so you can grill either bone-in or boneless chicken thighs! The only difference is adjusting the grilling time.
  • Bone-in chicken thighs will take longer (about 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the chicken reads 165°F). Boneless chicken will take about half the time, 25-30 minutes.
  • Personally, I prefer to grill bone-in chicken thighs, if I have the time. I find that bone-in meat has a deeper, meatier flavor due to the bone marrow . However, the beauty of chicken thighs is that even boneless meat is very hard to dry out. It’s perfect for grilling!
  • The chicken thigh skin will get deliciously crispy when grilled – it’s my favorite part of the dish!
• Seasoning – you can adjust the below to your own liking.
  • 1 tablespoon Kosher Salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon Black Pepper
  • 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
  • 2 teaspoosn Onion Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Paprika
  • ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
  • ½ teaspoon Brown Sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon neutral oil
• 1 tablespoon aluminum free baking powder: Baking powder is my secret ingredient to the crispiest Grilled Chicken Thighs. (Yes, the same one that is used in baked goods!)
  • Baking powder does 2 things:
    • It helps break down the proteins in the chicken skin by increasing the pH levels
    • It draws moisture to the surface of the chicken skin, where it can evaporate. These two things help the chicken skin become extra crispy (while keeping the meat juicy) when grilled!
  • You must use aluminum-free baking powder so you don’t notice the flavor when the chicken thighs are grilled.
  • You cannot substitute baking powder with baking soda – they are not the same thing and baking soda will make your Grilled Chicken Thighs taste very bad!
• Optional: Apple, cherry, pecan or oak wood
  • You can add different smoking wood to add an extra layer of flavor. Each wood adds a unique flavor! I am a big fan of using fruit woods, like apple or cherry, for chicken. I like that they have mild, sweet flavors that do not overwhelm the flavors of the Grilled Chicken Thighs, while still adding the perfect amount of smokiness.
  • Fruit woods are also easier for home cooks to grill with.

If you love chicken thighs, you need to try my easy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs or Air Fryer Chicken Skewers! Don’t want to grill? Make my Baked Chicken Thighs!

Grilled Chicken Thighs: Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken Thighs

Pat the chicken thighs as dry as possible with a paper towel. (Baking powder will adhere better to dry skin, which will result in a much crispier chicken skin.)

Pull back the chicken skin gently without detaching it from the meat. Do this for all the chicken thighs. Place them skin side down on the cutting board.

2. Season the Chicken Thighs

Season the chicken thighs with the seasoning mix on the meat side. Turn them over then pull the skin back on the top of the chicken thighs and season directly onto the meat. This is actually a technique I learned at a grilling competition from BBQ experts!

Once seasoned, pull the chicken skin back on to the meat and season with the remaining 1/4 of the seasoning.

Once the chicken meat and skin has been seasoned, sprinkle baking powder over the skin only. Rub the baking powder gently into the chicken skin until it is no longer visible.

Let the chicken sit at room temperature while you head to the grill! This will let the seasonings absorb into the chicken.

Add charcoal to your grill. You will be creating two zones – a “direct heat” and “indirect heat” zone. Divide your grill into two halves – rake the coals to one half of the grill, leaving the other half empty. The area directly over the coals will be your “direct heat” zone, while the area left empty will be your “indirect heat” zone.

Optional: You can add different smoking wood to add an extra layer of flavor, such as Apple, Cherry, Pecan, or Oak woods. Each wood adds a unique flavor! For Grilled Chicken Thighs, I recommend trying Apple or Cherry.

Heat the grill to 400°F – you are ready to start grilling!

What Should I Serve with Grilled Chicken Thighs?

If you’re grilling this summer, you’ll need some delicious sides to go with your meal! Make sure to include my Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, super creamy Mashed Potatoes, and classic Baked Mac and Cheese! My personal favorite during the warmer weather is a refreshing cucumber salad, like my viral Din Tai Fung Cucumber Salad, Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad, or 10 minute Korean Cucumber Salad.

I find it’s so easy to roast vegetables in the oven while grilling – try my Roasted Brussels Sprouts (or Air Fryer Roasted Brussels Sprouts), Honey Roasted Carrots, Roasted Cauliflower, or Roasted Green Beans with Bacon!