Looking for a delicious recipe for summer? Try these simple and flavorful ones Grilled chicken thighs Recipe. They are marinated in powerful fresh and dry spices, making them delicious and juicy. These chicken thighs will be a staple at family barbecues!
This is a great alternative to traditional burgers and hot dogs. The chicken thighs get that grilled flavor along with the sweetness of the brown sugar and a tang of citrus from the lemon juice. I love switching it up on a hot summer night and this recipe is easy to make ahead of time so all you have to do is cook and enjoy. Plus, they get that irresistible crispy skin that’s so crunchy and delicious. It’s definitely my favorite part.
Here’s how to make this Grilled Chicken Thighs recipe
The most important part of this recipe is the marinade. It brings all the delicious flavors to the chicken thighs and also helps tenderize them so you get the juiciest result straight off the hot grill. I love fresh herbs, especially the smell of fresh basil. All of the spices together smell amazing and make you even more excited to enjoy these grilled chicken thighs.
It’s also a very inexpensive recipe. Most of the condiments you need are probably in your pantry right now, and I can usually get a great deal on family packs of chicken thighs. It’s a great recipe to make and save leftovers for other nights throughout the week.
Related: Grilled Hobo Foil Packets
Ingredients needed to cook chicken drumsticks on the grill
- Chicken Thighs – Bone-in and skinless chicken thighs are best here
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Worcester sauce
- olive oil
- Fresh Oregano – You can substitute 2 teaspoons of dried oregano for this
- Fresh Parsley – You can substitute 4 teaspoons of dried parsley
- Fresh Basil – You can substitute 4 teaspoons of dried basil
- Garlic
- Brown sugar
- paprika
- salt and pepper
Instructions for grilling chicken drumsticks recipe
Step 1
Mix all the ingredients for the marinade in a large bowl. Whisk together until well blended.
step 2
In a ziplock bag, add your chicken thighs. Pour the marinade over and seal.
Top: Be sure to squeeze out excess air for optimal marinating.
step 3
Shake the bag to completely cover the chicken thighs. Place in the refrigerator for a minimum of 8 hours and up to 24 hours. The longer the better!
step 4
When you are ready to grill, remove the bag of chicken thighs from the refrigerator, then preheat your grill to 425 degrees F.
step 5
Remove the chicken thighs from the bag and place skin-side down on the grill.
Top: Don’t forget to throw away the bag of excess marinade to avoid cross-contamination.
step 6
Cook for 2-3 minutes or until you get a good skillet. Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
step 7
Move the chicken thighs to an unlit area of the grill and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F. Turn as needed.
step 8
Remove the cooked thighs from the grill and let rest 10 minutes before serving.
Top: Letting your chicken rest allows the juices to redistribute instead of spilling out when you slice the chicken. That way they stay nice and juicy.
step 9
Your finished grilled drumsticks should have nice grill marks and crispy skin. Serve immediately after resting and store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How long do you grill chicken thighs?
One of the most important aspects of grilling meat is searing it nicely. Color adds many flavors. The first part of the cooking process should be done over direct heat to get those beautiful grill marks. It only takes about 2-4 minutes per side to achieve the perfect tan. Once that happens, you’ll want to place the chicken thighs on indirect heat to ensure they’re cooked through but not burned. Use a thermometer to make sure they’re cooked to 165 degrees F before removing them from the grill.
More BBQ and summer recipes from the Kids Activities Blog
Do you love to cook on the grill? Let us know what you think about this Grilled Chicken Thighs recipe in the comments below.
preparation time
15 minutes
cooking time
10 mins
Extra time
8 hours
total time
8 hours 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 8-10 chicken thighs, on the bone
- marinade
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, chopped or 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped and lightly packed or 4 teaspoons dried parsley
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped and lightly wrapped or 4 teaspoons dried basil
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
instructions
- Combine the marinade ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk together.
- Place the thighs in a large ziplock bag and pour in the marinade
- Seal the bag and shake to coat all over. Refrigerate for 8 hours, up to 24 hours.
- After marinating, remove the chicken thighs from the refrigerator while preheating your grill to 425°F. Discard the marinade
- Place the chicken thighs, skin-side down, on a hot grill and grill until tender, 2-3 minutes. Flip and sear the other side for another 2-3 minutes
- Place chicken in an unlit area of grill and cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F, turning occasionally.
- Remove from the grill and let rest for 10 minutes before serving.
- Store leftovers in the fridge
