Description
Discover a mouth‑watering grilled chicken thigh recipe that’s tender, flavorful, and easy to make. Perfect for weeknight dinners and weekend
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone‑in, skin‑on chicken thighs (about 1½ lbs total)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 lemon, sliced (for serving)
Instructions
- Prep the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, thyme, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Marinate the Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Place them in a large zip‑lock bag or shallow dish and pour the seasoning mixture over. Massage the rub into each thigh, ensuring even coverage. Seal the bag or cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours for deeper flavor).
- Preheat the Grill: Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium‑high (about 400°F). If using charcoal, allow the coals to reach a steady, hot surface.
- Grill the Thighs: Remove the thighs from the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Place them skin side down on the grill. Cook for 6–7 minutes, then flip and cook another 6–7 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is crisp.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh. If it reads 165°F, the chicken is safe and juicy.
- Rest and Serve: Transfer the thighs to a cutting board and let them rest for 5 minutes. This allows juices to redistribute. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve with lemon slices on the side.
Notes
- Keep the grill lid open while cooking to avoid flare‑ups that can char the skin.
- For extra crispness, brush a little more olive oil on the skin before flipping.
- If you like a smoky flavor, add a few drops of liquid smoke to the rub.
- Use a meat thermometer—overcooking dries out the thighs.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Category: Chicken
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: grilled chicken thigh recipe