Juicy, smoky barbecue boneless chicken thighs are easy to grill with simple ingredients and a quick sauce, making them a flavorful option for an easy weeknight dinner or casual summer meal.
This recipe keeps prep simple while giving you tender chicken with bold BBQ flavor, plus helpful tips for grilling, serving, and storing leftovers without adding extra fuss to the process.
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I make these barbecue chicken thighs when I want something that feels like real cookout food without a lot of work. Boneless thighs are a great choice because they stay juicy, cook fast, and are much more forgiving than chicken breasts on the grill. I also like that I can brush on the sauce near the end and still get that sticky BBQ finish without worrying as much about the chicken drying out.
I keep coming back to this recipe because I can easily turn it into a full meal. I usually serve it with grilled zucchini bites when I want a simple side, or pair it with BBQ grilled chicken kabobs for another easy backyard favorite. It's a recipe with big flavor, easy prep, and leftovers that still taste good the next day.
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 the seasoning all over the chicken, coating both sides evenly. Grill the boneless chicken thighs, then flip once the underside is lightly charred and cooked around the edges so both sides have the same color and coverage.
Brush a light, even layer of BBQ sauce over the top of each thigh, then flip and coat the other side so the entire surface is covered without dripping or pooling.
Tips
- Pat the chicken thighs dry before adding the seasoning so the outside grills up better.
- Trim off any large excess pieces of fat to help reduce flare-ups on the grill.
- Use medium heat instead of high heat so the chicken cooks through without burning the outside too quickly.
- Place the thighs smooth-side down first for a better-looking finish when serving.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness instead of guessing by color alone.
- Lightly oil the grill grates before adding the chicken if they tend to stick.
- Keep the thicker pieces together and the smaller ones together so they cook at a more even pace.
- If the outside is browning too fast, move the chicken to a cooler part of the grill.
Variations
Grilled chicken thighs are easy to change up without overcomplicating the recipe. A few small tweaks can give the chicken a different flavor while still working well with the same basic grilling method.
- For a sweeter version, mix a little brown sugar into the seasoning so the chicken gets a deeper barbecue-style flavor.
- For more heat, add cayenne pepper or a pinch of chili powder before grilling.
- Try swapping in a smoky dry rub with garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder if you want a bolder flavor that still pairs well with barbecue sauce.
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.
To keep grilled chicken from drying out, cook the boneless thighs over medium heat so they have time to cook through without burning on the outside. I wait to brush on the barbecue sauce until the last few minutes because sauce added too early can scorch before the chicken is done. I also pull the thighs as soon as they reach temperature, since leaving them on the grill "just a little longer," can quickly dry them out.
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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 says
These chicken thighs were so tender and juicy! I loved the grilled BBQ flavor. Yum!
Jennifer Fisher says
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 says
I love cumin and it added just the right flavour to this chicken recipe! Super simple and tasty too.
Traci says
Ah! These were so good we want to enjoy them again during march madness basketball playoff games. Loved the flavor and taste!
Gen says
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 says
It was the ultimate favorite food in our party. Everyone was just talking about it. It was juicy and perfectly seasoned.