How To Cook Chicken Thighs On The Grill

How To Grill Chicken Thighs: Time

How to Grill Chicken Thighs ~ Easy Cooking

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.

Create Direct And Indirect Heat Zones

It is always essential when grilling to prepare a two-zone fire. This is especially true with chicken, as the addition of sweet sauces can set the stage for flareups.

A two-zone fire means creating direct and indirect heat sources. This indirect area can function as a safe place for a fiery grill or the roasting position for a whole chicken on a long cook.

To create an indirect heat source on a gas grill, leave a burner or two turned off. To create an indirect heat source on a charcoal grill, leave an area on the fuel grate without any coals.

A recipe calling for direct heat is akin to using a griddle, while a recipe calling for indirect heat is no different than using an oven.

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 Do You Keep Chicken Moist On The Grill

All it takes is 30 minutes in a simple brine solution of 1/4 cup kosher salt dissolved in 4 cups water. This is all the time you need for the chicken breasts to absorb enough moisture so they can better hold up to the heat of the grill without drying out.

How To Cook Chicken On A Gas Grill Without Burning

Best Grilled Chicken Thighs with Garam Masala

Place the chicken skin down on the indirect heat of the grill. Close the gas grill lid and cook for 15 minutes. Turn the chicken over, close the gas grill lid and cook for 10 minutes. Put the chicken on direct heat and cook, turning once, until the skin becomes golden brown and crispy, about five minutes.

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How Long Should Chicken Set Before Grilling

Let your chicken thaw before grilling.

While you dont want to leave chicken at room temperature for too long before cooking, its acceptable to let it sit for up to 30 minutes before cooking. This time is invaluable in letting the chicken come to an even temperature, which will help ensure even cooking.

The Process Of Smoking Chicken Thighs

Wood pellet smoking surrounds a piece of meat in a confined smokey space while lower heat temperatures do the actual cooking of the meat. The smoke penetrates the meat giving it the rich, unique smoke flavors that people crave. If done properly, this low and slow method of cooking can yield moist and juicy meat. It can also dry cook thinner meats like jerky into a smoky rich and chewy treat. Pellet grills and smokers are versatile cookers.

I usually smoke chicken thighs for about 1.5 to 2 hours at 250 degrees. That can vary a bit by how much chicken or any other meat items are also smoking. In the video, I show that Im also smoking a meatloaf. During the particular smoke, I kept the chicken on the grill for 2 hours. Both the chicken and the meatloaf came out spectacularly delicious!

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Honey Balsamic Grilled Chicken Thighs

Listen, we here at Delish have nothing against chicken breasts. But sometimes we are looking something with a little bit more flavor and richness. Chicken thighs inherently have just a bit more flavor than chicken breastespecially if you leave the skin-on. To grill skin-on chicken thighs, we recommend salting the thighs at least an hour ahead of cooking. This step is almost like a dry brine. It enhances the flavor of your meat and ensures the crispiest results possible. After liberally seasoning your chicken with salt, leave it uncovered in the fridge.

When it’s time to cook, preheat your grill or grill pan for a good 10 to 15 minutes, until the grates are extremely cook. Then cook for about 10 minutes per side. Time will vary based on the size of the thighs. Your golden number when it comes to poultry: an internal temperature of 165°F.

Pro tip! Because of the honey and the sugar content in the balsamic vinegar, the glaze can burn if left to caramelize on the grill for too long. To avoid this, we recommend moving your chicken around occasionally so that different parts of the thighs are hitting the grates.

If you have any leftovers they can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. This chicken tastes fantastic reheated on its own but can also be great chopped up and added to things like fried rice or salad.

Have you made this recipe? Let us know how you liked it in the comments below!

Chopped parsley, for garnish

Lemon wedges, for garnish

How Long Do You Parboil Chicken Thighs Before Grilling

How to Grill Chicken Thighs – NoRecipeRequired.com

If using chicken legs or chicken thighs, you can leave them to parboil for roughly 5 minutes, which is also the case for chicken quarters. However, if using chicken wings, then you will want to leave them for 15-20 minutes for the best results!

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What Can You Serve With Grilled Chicken Thighs

Grilled chicken thighs are about as versatile as they come, so you can pair this entrée with almost any sides you want. Were partial to the classics: potato salad, grilled or roasted vegetables and a cool, crisp salad. If you want to switch things up, why not try sweet-and-salty watermelon skewers or a batch of savory melted onions?

Grilled Chicken Thighs Faq

How long does it take to grill chicken thighs on a gas grill?

Cook bone-in skin-on chicken thighs over indirect heat at 425F for 45 minutes. If your chicken thighs are small start checking for doneness at 35 minutes.

What is the best way to grill chicken thighs?

The best way to grill chicken thighs is over indirect heat.

How do you grill chicken without drying it out?

Grilling dark meat like chicken thighs with bones and skin intact is your best option for tender juicy chicken. Chicken breasts are much more likely to dry out on the grill.

This is one of those chicken recipes where you spend 5 minutes of hands-on time and then let your gas or charcoal grill do the work. With indirect heat, you set it and forget it. Let it cook while you relax with a cool, refreshing beverage and maybe some great conversation.

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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.

How Can I Debone Chicken Thighs

Grilled Chicken Thighs  101 Cooking For Two

If you cant find boneless skinless chicken thighs at the grocery store, you can always remove the bone yourself!

Heres a great guide on how to debone chicken thighs if those are all you can find in the store.

Grilling them with the bone in is also another option, but since the bone will absorb some of the heat, youll want to grill them a bit longer. Aim to cook your chicken about 10 minutes per side, but the total cooking time will depend on how thick your chicken thighs are.

Use a digital meat thermometer in the same way to make sure that its reached 165°F at the thickest part avoiding the bone.

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Can You Grill Raw Chicken

Step 4: Start Grilling

Turn the heat up to medium, then use tongs to place the chicken breasts on the grill. If you can keep it there comfortably for 4-6 seconds, its at medium heat. Cover the grill and let the chicken cook for 5-7 minutes, then use tongs to flip the breasts over. Grill for 5-7 minutes longer.

Do You Grill Chicken Over Direct Or Indirect Fire

Put the chicken on direct heat. Boil on each side for about 6 minutes, or until you see the desired crust, then over the indirect fire to finish cooking, turning each piece occasionally. Continue cooking until the internal temperature is 160 to 162 degrees F, measured on an instant reading thermometer.

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The Best Bbq Sauce For Chicken Is This One You Make Yourself

Nothing beats homemade BBQ sauce, and our recipe couldnt be easier. We built is around everyones favorite secret ingredientregular old ketchup! Ketchup is a magical pantry superpower, and if youre not in the habit of adding a little of ketchup to sauces and marinades, well, get in the habit! You see, ketchup isnt just puréed tomatoes and sugar. It is loaded with spices and cooked until the flavor is super concentrated. In other words, ketchup offers a major bang-for-buck in terms of flavor! Adding spices to it just enhances the existing deliciousness. Our BBQ sauce takes ketchup and makes is into the worlds best BBQ sauce by adding:

  • Brown sugar

  • Regular sweet paprika

Exact Answer: 8 16 Minutes

BBQ Chicken Thighs on Grill Grates

Non-vegetarians love having chicken and there is no denying that. However, amidst the various chicken recipes, grilled chicken thighs are particularly popular among chicken lovers. Chicken thighs when grilled perfectly, taste amazingly delicious and mouth-watering.

Grilled chicken thighs are juicy and flavorful and can easily be made as a quick dinner to enjoy with ones family and friends. This dish can be prepared at the last minute as it does not take much time and preparation, without compromising even a bit on its taste. Cooking on a grill can never go wrong and when chicken thighs are grilled, it can make ones Saturday nights or Sunday afternoons even more appetizing.

As for most people, chicken thighs are their favorite cut of chicken, it becomes important to know how long ideally chicken thighs are to be cooked on the grill for getting the perfect taste of grilled chicken thighs.

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How Do You Bbq Chicken Thighs Without Burning Them

One of the best ways to prevent burning is to make sure your meat doesnt stick to the surface of the grill. So make sure you brush the grill with oil or cooking spray before you heat it up. Its also a good idea to brush some oil on all sides of your chicken or soak it in an oil-based marinade before grilling.

How To Choose The Best Chicken Thighs For Grilling

The good things about chicken thighs are their simplicity, so there isnt a whole lot to be considered when purchasing. Ethically raised chickens who were free-range and given good grain and no antibiotics tend to taste a bit better, but can be pricey when buying in bulk.

Beyond the chickens living conditions the choice between bone-in and boneless is up to the personal preferences of the griller. Bone-in tend to keep their structure a bit better, and usually have more skin to crisp up and season for the grill. Thighs with more skin on them generally taste the best, have a better pocket for sauce, and have a satisfying, crispy bite.

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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 To Make Grilled Chicken Thighs:

Grilled Chicken Thighs
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the marinade ingredients until combined.
  • Add the chicken to the mixing bowl and turn the chicken to cover. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken for at least 30 minutes but up to 24 hours.
  • Preheat the grill medium-high heat. While the grill preheats, let the chicken sit at room temperature.
  • Add the chicken to the grill. Cook the chicken, turning every 2-3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Remove the chicken from the grill. Cover it and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving hot.
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    How To Grill Chicken Thighs: Bone

    Your first decision when grilling chicken is whether to use bone-in or boneless skinless thighs. Both are great and have different advantages depending on the recipe and preference. Bone-in thighs are delightful for barbecue chicken because of the crispy skin, and they are easier to eat with your hands. Boneless skinless chicken thighs will grill faster and are better suited for tacos and dishes using sliced chicken.

    How Long To Grill Chicken Breasts

    According to the USDA, all poultry should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Using an instant-read meat thermometer is really the only accurate way to gauge your chicken’s doneness. But in the case that you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the chicken and ensure that the juices run clear. Here are the estimated grilling times for chicken breasts, based on an internal temp of 165 degrees F.

    • Boneless chicken breasts: 7 to 8 minutes per side
    • Bone-in chicken breasts: 15 minutes per side

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    Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs Pro

    • Trim excess fat from the chicken thighs Rastelli’s chicken thighs come nicely trimmed, but if your chicken thighs have excess fat on them you may want to trim it. This will help the chicken to cook evenly and for the chicken not to shrivel up as it cooks.
    • – the longer you let the chicken sit in the solution, the more flavor it will impart onto the meat. At a minimum, marinate the chicken for 30 minutes – 2 hours. For optimal flavor, marinate for 12 – 24 hours.
    • Scrape the grill grates before heating up the grill – removing any old burnt food bits from the grill before preheating protects the flavor of the chicken and keeps any burnt food chunks from sticking to the chicken.
    • Drain/discard the marinade – the solution imparts plenty of flavor into the chicken so we won’t need to reuse it in the recipe. If you’d like, you can pour the marinade over the chicken as it cooks, but you can also just discard it after adding the chicken to the grill.
    • Rest the chicken before serving – this allows the chicken juices to redistribute in the meat, making it more tender and succulent. Let the chicken rest at room temperature for at least 5 minutes. If you are concerned about keeping the chicken hot, you can tent the chicken with foil or cover it with a bowl or plate while it rests.

    How Do You Grill Chicken Thighs Without Burning Them

    Grilling For Beginners – Grilled Chicken Thighs

    The easiest way to not burn chicken thighs on the grill is to cook them slowly over indirect heat, so the fat wont cause major flare ups and the flames wont have a chance to burn the meat. Also, make sure youve oiled the grill grate with neutral oil or grilling spray before cooking so the chicken doesnt stick.

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    How To Grill Chicken Thighs: Preparation

    Once the chicken has marinated for at least 30 minutes, it’s time to prep it for the grill. One of the essential steps to grilling the perfect chicken is to let it rise to room temperature.

    When chicken is marinating, it should always be refrigerated, so it doesn’t spoil. That cold chicken needs to be laid out flat, patted down with paper towels, and allowed to rise to room temperature. This will help the different pieces cook more uniformly and quickly on the grill.

    Do You Need A Meat Thermometer

    If you are grilling chicken thighs or breasts, we highly recommend having a meat thermometer on hand. You will know that the chicken is cooked all the way through if its juices run clear once you remove it from the grill and let it rest for a minute. If you find that your chicken isn’t entirely done, simply return it to the grill for 3-4 minutes more.

    If you don’t have one, you should get one. It is the best way to ensure the chicken is cooked through without overcooking, so you provide the best grilling experience to your family and friends.

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