How Long To Grill Chicken Thighs

Take Chicken Thighs Out Of Refrigerator

Take the marinated chicken thighs out of the refrigerator and shake off the excess marinade. Wait until the meats temperature drops down to room temperature. Cooking cold meat will take longer and results in uneven cooking as the outside is cooked quickly while the colder inside will take longer to cook properly.

What Would Rip A Chickens Head Off

If you find your chicken with its head missing, chances are the attacker is a raccoon or a bird of prey, such as a hawk. Raccoons will also rip the heads off chickens through fencing, often reaching through at ground level to grab a chicken and pull its head off, leaving its body on the other side of the fence.

Tips And Tricks To Make The Best Grilled Chicken Thighs

• Make certain that the grill is preheated before adding on the chicken thighs. This will ensure that you give them a nice crispy crust as you grill them.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the inside temperature of the chicken to make sure its 165 degrees F. This isnt something that you want to guess or estimate.
• When grilling make sure to keep a medium heat, if you turn up the grill to high the skin will burn and the chicken wont get done. This will also cause them to dry out.
• Dont forget to let them rest, which lets the juices redistribute in the meat and makes the chicken thighs juicy!
• Mix up a batch of our Chicken Seasoning so you can throw it on chicken thighs anytime you want them!

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Should You Marinate Brine Or Rub Before Cooking Does It Affect The Cooking Time

Wet marinades and wet brining add flavor but can increase the cooking time for the skin on chicken. It takes longer for the skin to dry before it can brown.

Boneless cuts of chicken take the same amount of time, marinated or not.

Dry rubs for chicken will help the skin to dry and will not affect cooking time.

Keep in mind that good old salt and pepper are the simplest yet best grilling seasonings. The smoke from the charcoal while grilling will overpower more delicate flavorings like herbs. And, if you plan on slathering with sauce at the end, youll just mask the other flavors from the marinade or rub.

While this guide works well, it still comes down to what the thermometer says. You cant rush quality.

I hope the information here helps you the next time you grill your chicken, whole or parts. Let me know what you think in the comments below, and I hope you found this article helpful.

Happy grilling!

Cooking Temperatures Thermometers And Food Safety

When it comes to checking the temperature of cooked chicken nothing can replace a quality digital, instant-read thermometer. They are highly accurate, fast and reliable.

I will touch on other methods to check for doneness if you dont have one, but nothing is better or safer. I STRONGLY recommend you have an instant-read digital thermometer before you cook your first piece of chicken! if you dont have one, check out our guide to the best instant read thermometers.

Now that you have a thermometer in hand, you need to know the temperature of a properly cooked piece of chicken.

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How To Make Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs

First get a bowl that is large enough to hold all the thighs. You can also use a Ziploc bag, if you like.

Then, add the ingredients for the marinade and mix well.

For these grilled boneless chicken thighs, I made a simple marinade with paprika, garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil and finely chopped parsley.

Then, add the thighs in and coat them in the mixture. Make sure all the thighs are well coated before covering the bowl with cling film or closing the Ziploc bag.

Let the meat rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before grilling. The longer you leave it in the fridge the better.

You can also make the prep for these grilled boneless chicken thighs ahead of time and marinade the meat overnight, if you like.

How long to grill boneless chicken thighs?

It takes about 10-12 minutes for these grilled boneless chicken thighs to be ready. Now bear in mind that the time may vary slightly. This will depend on how thick the pieces are and also, on your grill.

If in doubt, please use a food thermometer to check if the thighs are ready. The internal temperature has to reach 165°F . Always make sure you check the thickest part of the meat.

Tips for making grilled boneless chicken thighs

at first, it may seem to you that there is not enough marinade. However, this amount is plenty for 1.5 up to 1.8 pound of thighs. This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled, if needed!

To keep the thighs warm until ready for serving wrap them in a tin foil .

More recipes for grilling

How Much Fat Is There

Since we are dealing with a natural product, there is some variability but think of a thigh having about two to three times the fat of chicken breasts.

Here are the numbers from the National Chicken Council. Cooked skin-on thigh has 15.5 grams of fat while a skin-on split chicken breast is 7.8 grams.

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How Long Should You Grill Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs On A Gas Grill

This depends on the temperature of the grill and the thickness of your chicken thighs! If youre cooking it between 325°F and 350°F, youll want to cook them for about 5-6 minutes on both sides.

Youll want to be sure to use a digital thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of your chicken thighs has reached 165°F at the thickest part.

Be sure to account for some time to let your grilled boneless chicken thighs rest after cooking and before cutting, too! It helps redistribute the juices in the chicken so that its nice and moist. Around 3-4 minutes is all youll need here!

How Long To Grill Chicken Wings

Youre going to cook the wings directly over a medium fire for about 20-25 minutes total.

Start by leaving them on the grill with the lid closed for 3 to 4 minutes.

Then open and turn them every few minutes to brown them evenly.

After 15 minutes, use your instant-read thermometer to check if theyve all reached 165ºF. You want the wings slightly charred on all sides but not burned.

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How to heat up chicken wings If you ever have any leftovers that is!

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What To Do With Leftover Bbq Grilled Chicken Thighs

Got leftovers? We are the queens of repurposing our recipes! Here are a few ideas so you dont waste any food.

• Make Chicken Salad: shred your chicken thighs and discard the bones. Then make our BBQ Chicken Salad recipe.
• BBQ Chicken Pizza: everyone loves pizza! Buyg a store-bought crust and make a semi-homeamde BBQ Chicken Pizza.
• BBQ Pulled Chicken: shred your chicken and toss the shredded chicken with a little more bbq sauce and serve on a bun like our BBQ Pulled Chicken.

How To Make Grilled Chicken Thighs Marinade And How To Grill Chicken Thighs

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How Long To Grill Boneless Chicken Thighs

When cooking between 325°F-350°F, it generally takes around 10-12 minutes until the boneless chicken thighs are properly grilled. However, the time can vary depending upon the thickness of the meat, the type of grill and other surrounding conditions.

Therefore, to make sure that the meat is not undercooked or overcooked, poke a digital thermometer in its thickest portion. When the thermometer reads 165°F, meat is ready to serve.

How Long Do You Cook Chicken Thighs On The Grill

• Its not about the minutes. Its about the temperature of the chicken. A lot of factors will impact the exact timing from how thick the pieces of chicken are to the exact grill temp and so on.
• Use a meat thermometer anytime you are cooking meats. Not only will this ensure that your meat is cooked perfectly but also that is is cooked to a safe to eat temp.
• You need to cook them until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
• Take them off and let them rest for 10 minutes before slicing or serving.

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How To Cook Thick Boneless Chicken On The Grill

What is the ideal cut of chicken meat for grilling? Its best not to have a thick cut, as that takes longer to cook and is more likely to dry out on the grill . But if you do have a thick cut, how long to grill boneless chicken thighs on gas grill that are pretty thick?

The ideal cut of chicken for grilling is about 5 to 8 ounces, but if you have a cut of chicken that is over 10 ounces, youll have to adjust your cooking process a little bit. I want to talk briefly about how long to cook boneless chicken thighs on George Foreman grill or other kinds of grills when the cut of meat is 10 oz or more.

It is best to pound or butterfly the chicken on the thicker end if it is a large cut of meat. The chicken breasts that are over 10 ounces will be a bit thick to cook evenly. You need to find the larger side and pound it down to even it out. This ensures more even cooking.

To pound the chicken down, use a meat pounder. Want to pound straight down, but instead pound at a slight angle working gently down and away from the body.

To cut the meat in butterfly style, you can use a sharp knife and slice horizontally from one side cutting almost through to the other. Youll make the chicken open up kind of like a book and then you can pound where the seam is and on the thicker side to even the chicken piece out.

If you have cut and pounded correctly, the breast should end up shaped like a heart. This is a good method for grilled chicken breast that is too thick to pound very easily.

What Is Two Zone Grilling

The key to this chicken thighs recipe is two zone grilling. To achieve this, you’ll need a gas grill that has multiple cooking areas / zones. Once you preheat your grill, you’ll turn off one set of burners to create an indirect cooking zone. This is where you’ll place your chicken thighs or any food that you want to grill indirectly. The other side of the grill will remain on, creating a direct heat zone.

You can create a similar effect on a charcoal grill by positioning the hot coals on one side and leaving the other side empty.

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How Long To Grill Chicken

Chicken thighs should not be grilled the same way as a whole chicken, chicken wings, or chicken breast. Therefore, determining the grilling time of chicken can be somewhat challenging. Grilling time truly depends on the cut of chicken. Some cuts are thinner, while others are thicker or have a bone.

How Long To Grill Chicken Thighs: A Step

Chicken is a staple in many of our kitchens because its affordable and it can be used to whip up tons of delicious recipes. However, for less experienced cooks, its difficult to get the doneness of this protein JUST RIGHT.

A common beginners mistake is to rely solely on sight and touch while cooking. You should know its important to monitor the grills HEAT LEVEL, the chickens INTERNAL TEMPERATURE, and the TIME it spends on the grill too! Read what our grilling experts have to say below.

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How To Grill Chicken Thighs: Time

With the grill hot and ready and the chicken seasoned and prepped, grill the thighs over direct medium heat. Boneless chicken thighs take about 8 minutes, while the cooking time for bone-in thighs is 10-14 minutes. Use a meat thermometer by placing it in the thickest part of your thigh to test doneness. Once the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, remove the chicken from the grill and allow it to rest for five minutes before serving.

How To Grill Chicken

Learn how to grill chicken with a skillet for perfect results every time, including tips on flattening and marinating your meat before cooking.

Grilling or griddling is a popular cooking method when it comes to cooking chicken. It keeps it moist, is often healthier than frying and leaves you with a delicious charred flavour. Grilling chicken requires a cast iron skillet pan. Follow this guide for tips and recipe ideas.

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Is It Best To Grill Chicken On Direct Or Indirect Heat

Smaller pieces of chicken, drumsticks & wings, do well on direct medium heat provided that they are frequently turned to avoid burning.

For larger pieces such as whole bone-in breast, leg quarters and whole birds, cook using indirect heat for at least half of the cooking time and then brown the skin over direct heat to finish the cooking.

Obviously, the easiest recipes are the most successful when it comes to the home cook, because theyre not intimidated by them. If Im doing Boy Meets Grill, and I do something very simple like grilled hamburgers or steaks or chicken, those are the most sought-after recipes. Bobby Flay

How Long To Grill All The Different Cuts Of Chicken

Now that you know the safe temperature of cooked chicken, and how to check the temperature of your barbecue, lets take a look at how long it takes to grill the different parts and cuts of a chicken.

We cover all the cuts from whole chickens down to thighs and wings, with some expert notes and tips to be mindful of for each.

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How Long Does It Take To Grill Chicken Thighs And Drumsticks

Grill time for drumsticks and thighs takes at least 40 minutes. There are two schools of thought here.

One method uses direct heat the entire time. Using medium-high or 450°F means youll need to turn them every 5 minutes to prevent burning.

The other method is to use indirect heat for 30 minutes and direct heat for the last 10 minutes or so to brown them off.

Regardless of the method you choose, if you want to add sauce, do it during the last 10 minutes, so the sugar doesnt burn.

Its the same as cooking whole leg quarters. Look for an internal temperature of at least 180°F for best flavor and tenderness. At 190°F the meat should start to fall off the bone.

Transfer Marinated Meat On The Grill

Once the grill is preheated to about 350°F, add the chicken thighs to it. Cover the grill with a lid to maintain consistent heat. Let the meat cook for 5-6 minutes. Next, flip the thighs and cook for another 5-6 minutes.

You can cook chicken thighs with or without skin. If cooking meat with skin, place it on the grill with the skin side down.

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How To Grill Chicken Thighs: Style And Seasoning

Part of what makes chicken such a popular grilling choice is its versatility. Used in almost every nation, chicken can be marinated, rubbed, basted, brined, or lightly seasoned in various combinations and traditions. A comparatively lean protein to beef and pork, chicken thighs have the perfect fat content for a moist texture that takes on all the seasonings’ characteristics.

One tip is to pat the chicken with paper towels once removed from the marinade. Marinades often have a lot of sugar content like brown sugar that can easily char and burn too quickly. A favorite option is to use a rub of spices before grilling, and then add your favorite barbecue sauce at the end for a little gorgeous color and caramelization.

How Do You Know When Chicken Is Done

The best way to tell that chicken is done is by using a cooking thermometer. You want to insert the probe of the thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh. The meat should reach 165 degrees F to be sure that it is cooked through. If you dont have a thermometer, cook your chicken on medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side. When you cut into the chicken the center should firm and not rubbery. When cut, the juices in the chicken should be clear and not pink. If the chicken is rubbery or has pink juices cook it a little longer.

The marinade in this recipe infuses chicken with a wonderful sweet and savory cilantro lime flavor which is enhanced by grilling. Youll find yourself making this chicken every week during the warmer months!

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