These flavorful grilled boneless skinless chicken thighs are juicy and tender, and they're ready in just 15 minutes, so they're perfect for a quick and easy Summer dinner!
Why this Recipe Works
Boneless chicken skinless chicken thighs are perfect for grilling. They have just enough fat to keep them juicy and tender and have more flavor than chicken breasts. And they cook in around 10 minutes, so they're ready in a flash!
This grilled chicken thigh recipe uses a simple blend of seasonings, similar to my homemade BBQ rub, to add a savory and slightly smokey flavor to the chicken. And a light coating of olive oil helps the seasoning stick, and the extra fat helps them brown and keeps them from sticking to the grill.
These grilled chicken thighs are a perfect option for a quick and easy summer weeknight dinner and a great choice for your next backyard barbecue with family and friends!
And be sure to check out my air fryer chicken thighs for another easy chicken dinner with boneless chicken thighs.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Thighs - Boneless skinless thighs are flavorful and ideal for grilling. You can substitute chicken breasts or bone-in thighs if you prefer, but you will need to adjust the cooking time.
- Olive Oil - Don't skip the step of coating the thighs with olive oil. It not only helps the seasoning stick, but it also helps to keep the chicken from sticking to your grill.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Clean your grill grates, then lightly coat them with oil and heat to medium-high heat.
- Trim any large pockets of fat from the chicken thighs, then rinse and pat dry with paper towels and lightly coat the chicken thighs with olive oil.
- Combine the paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then season the chicken thighs on all sides with the seasoning mixture.
- Place the chicken thighs on the grill and cook for 5 minutes on each side until they reach an internal temperature of 165℉. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Expert Tips
- Be sure to clean your grill grates and use a paper towel coated with oil to grease the grates before cooking the thighs to avoid sticking.
- Allow the grill to preheat for 5 to 10 minutes before adding the chicken.
- Start the chicken thighs on the smooth top side, where the skin was removed, and let the chicken cook undisturbed for 5 minutes before flipping to get the best grill marks.
- It's important to use a high-quality instant-read thermometer when cooking chicken to ensure it is cooked to a safe internal temperature. Cook the chicken to 165℉ and avoid overcooking and drying out the chicken.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the grilled chicken thighs for up to 3 months.
Reheat in a 325℉ oven for 10 minutes until warmed through. Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave.
What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Thighs
These flavorful boneless chicken thighs are perfect for a weeknight dinner. Pair them with grilled veggies like my grilled broccolini or my foil-pack squash and zucchini. A simple side salad like my copycat Chick-fil-a kale salad is also a great pairing option.
This recipe is also a good choice for backyard barbecues. These chicken thighs go well with classic cookout side dishes like my creamy broccoli salad, smoked baked beans, and Hawaiian mac salad.
Recipe Variations
This recipe for grilled chicken thighs is quick and easy, but if you have some extra time, you can marinate them to add extra flavor. The marinades in several of my other recipes are perfect for marinated grilled chicken thighs.
- For a Mediterranean twist, marinade the chicken thighs in my Greek Chicken Souvlaki marinade before grilling.
- Another option for Mediterranean flavor is using the marinade from my Greek yogurt lamb kebabs. The Greek yogurt adds a tangy flavor and helps tenderize the meat.
- For a taste of the tropics, use my Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken marinade on the chicken thighs.
- Another tasty option is the soy ginger marinade I use in my sheet pan soy ginger salmon. This sweet and savory Asian marinade is awesome on chicken thighs too!
- Last but definitely not least, the marinade from my grilled bone-in pork chops is another sweet and savory option that is loaded with flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Boneless skinless chicken thighs will typically be cooked through in 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the size. Bone-in thighs will usually take around 20-25 minutes.
The key is to cook your chicken thighs to an internal temperature of 165℉ to ensure they are done.
Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts in this recipe, but cooking times will vary. Be sure to check that your chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165℉ before serving.
You can use a grill pan on your stovetop or cook the chicken thighs under the broiler in your oven for around 10-12 minutes.
More Quick and Easy Chicken Recipes
📖 Recipe
Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Clean your grill grates then lightly coat with oil and heat to medium-high heat.
- Trim any large pockets of fat from the chicken thighs, then rinse and pat dry with paper towels and lightly coat the chicken thighs with olive oil.
- Combine the paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl then season the chicken thighs on all sides with the seasoning mixture.
- Place the chicken thighs on the grill and cook for 5 minutes on each side until they reach an internal temperature of 165℉. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
* All nutrition information we provide are estimates based on third party calculators. We encourage you to calculate these on your own for accurate results.
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