These juicy BBQ boneless chicken thighs will take your grill to the next level! Perfectly seasoned and grilled to perfection, they will be a hit any time you crave cookout food.
Juicy grilled chicken thighs are a delicious quick meal idea. They are easy to prepare and can be cooked on an indoor or outdoor grill in just minutes.
This simple recipe has a fantastic flavor that will satisfy your tastebuds. It comes together quickly for a savory entree you can enjoy any night of the week.
Give this easy-to-make grilled chicken thighs a try. You won't be disappointed! Try this dish out now for some fantastic flavor!
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Ingredients
With a few seasonings and pre-made barbecue sauce, you'll quickly have a chicken meal ready.
Here are the ingredients needed:
- boneless skinless chicken thighs
- olive oil
- paprika
- minced garlic
- cumin
- salt and pepper
- barbecue sauce
Scroll down to the recipe card for amounts used.
Instructions
You can grill chicken thighs on an indoor or outdoor grill. First, you'll need to preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). While the grill is heating, you can prepare the chicken thighs.
Place the chicken into a large bowl.
Drizzle chicken thighs with olive oil.
Add minced garlic.
Sprinkle in cumin.
Add salt and pepper.
Sprinkle on paprika.
Rub seasoning onto the chicken. Grill boneless chicken thighs evenly on both sides.
Baste the chicken on both sides with the BBQ sauce a few minutes before it is done cooking and again after the grilling.
Variations
Grilled chicken thighs are a delicious and easy-to-make dinner option. They can be cooked in many different ways to create variations that suit any taste.
To add extra flavor and texture, try adding marinades or rubs to the chicken before grilling. Marinating the chicken overnight will help infuse deeper flavor into the meat as well as make it more tender when cooked. Different marinade recipes range from sweet and spicy to savory, so experiment with various combinations of herbs, spices, and oils until you find your favorite!
The key to grilled chicken thighs success is to season the chicken with the right blend of spices and sauces beforehand. Try combining ingredients such as garlic powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder for a flavorful blend that pairs perfectly with barbecue sauce for an added kick of heat! You can also mix in some brown sugar for sweetness or cayenne pepper for more spice.
Tips
- Allow the seasoned chicken to rest for 15 minutes before cooking.
- Once done, remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- For extra flavor, brush barbecue sauce over the chicken in its last few minutes of cooking time—be careful not to burn it!
- Add vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini alongside your chicken thighs when grilling. Make sure the veggies are cut into uniform sizes so that they all cook evenly on either side of the meat on your BBQ.
Serving suggestions
When it comes to BBQ chicken, the possibilities for serving are almost endless. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
For a classic American meal, serve the grilled chicken thighs on a bed of crunchy lettuce and top it off with your favorite ranch dressing. This dish is excellent with some diced tomatoes, cucumbers, or a side salad. If you want to go all out for dinner, serve some baked beans on the side to complete the meal.
For a more Mexican-inspired meal, stuff the grilled chicken into warm tortillas and top them off with salsa and guacamole for an extra kick of flavor. Or, top it off with shredded cheese or sour cream for added richness. Mexican rice or Instant Pot black eyed peas can be added for a more filling meal.
For lunch, try making a grilled chicken sandwich and serve it with sweet potato fries. Or include it with other barbecue dishes like pineapple marinated chicken kabobs or a delicious grilled peach salad.
Storage
Make sure the chicken is cooled off before storing it. You can transfer the chicken to a shallow container and place it in the refrigerator for an hour or two. Once the chicken has cooled, place it in a sealed container or plastic bag and store it in the refrigerator for up to four days.
FAQ
Grilled boneless chicken thighs should be cooked for about 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the thighs. If you are cooking multiple thighs at once, it's best to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F before they are taken off the grill.
When reheating chicken, always heat it to an internal temperature of 165°F. This will ensure that any bacteria present in the chicken have been killed off, making it safe to eat. You can also reheat BBQ chicken thighs in a preheated oven at 350°F until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
First, it's best to marinate the chicken for at least an hour in a mixture of oil, vinegar, and spices to help keep the moisture in. Second, when grilling the chicken, make sure to preheat your grill and use indirect heat. This will help prevent the outside from burning while allowing the inside to cook through. Finally, don’t overcook the chicken. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F and remove it from the grill when it reaches that temperature.
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Recipe
BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
- barbecue sauce any style
Instructions
- Preheat an indoor or outdoor grill.
- Drizzle the chicken with olive oil.
- Season the chicken with the paprika, minced garlic, cumin and salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the chicken on the grill evenly on both sides for 10-12 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Baste the chicken on both sides with the barbecue sauce a few minutes before it is done cooking, and again once the grilling is complete.
Notes
- Allow the seasoned chicken to rest for 15 minutes before cooking.
- Once done, remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- For extra flavor, brush barbecue sauce over the chicken in its last few minutes of cooking time—be careful not to burn it!
- Add vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini alongside your chicken thighs when grilling. Make sure the veggies are cut into uniform sizes so that they all cook evenly on either side of the meat on your BBQ.
Addison
These chicken thighs were so tender and juicy! I loved the grilled BBQ flavor. Yum!
Jennifer Fisher
So delicious with that rub and sauce, and I love how easy on the grill! I did an indoor grill last night, but will definitely put this moist and juicy chicken dinner on the outdoor grill as soon as the weather warms up!
Sarita
I love cumin and it added just the right flavour to this chicken recipe! Super simple and tasty too.
Traci
Ah! These were so good we want to enjoy them again during march madness basketball playoff games. Loved the flavor and taste!
Gen
Oh my goodness, yum! This was wonderful. I love BBQ chicken but the spices you added (garlic especially) really took it over the top. Thanks for the recipe! We'll make it again.
GRETA
It was the ultimate favorite food in our party. Everyone was just talking about it. It was juicy and perfectly seasoned.