Easy and Juicy Grilled Chicken Thighs

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This grilled chicken thighs recipe is quick, easy, and flavorful! A simple blend of pantry seasonings and fresh lemon juice creates juicy, tender chicken every time. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or summer cookout.

If you love easy chicken thigh dinners, you’ll also want to try my oven baked boneless chicken thighs and air fryer boneless chicken thighs next, they’re just as easy and delicious.

Glistening grilled chicken thighs with dark, parallel sear marks garnished with lemon slices on an off-white plate.

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Why You Will Love This Recipe:

Ready in about 20 minutes - This recipe comes together quickly with a simple seasoning and straight to the grill. No marinating needed. You can marinate if you'd like, but it's flavorful enough without it and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or easy summer cookout.
Juicy and flavorful - If you have tried my air fryer shrimp, these grilled boneless chicken thighs are another quick and easy dinner that is juicy and packed with flavor.
Perfect for meal prep and grilling season - Make these ahead of time for meal prep or plan to make these for grilling season. This is a recipe you’ll want to add to your dinner rotations. It’s perfect for outdoor and indoor grills.

Q&A:

How long do you grill boneless chicken thighs?

About 10 to 14 minutes total, depending on the thickness. Cook over medium high heat and flip halfway through until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can you grill chicken thighs without marinating?

Yes! This recipe uses a simple seasoning blend that still delivers great flavor.

What temperature should grilled chicken thighs be?

At least 165 degrees Fahrenheit but can go to 170 to 175 degrees Fahrenheit.

Should you grill chicken thighs with the lid open or closed?

Grill chicken thighs with the lid closed to maintain consistant heat and to cook them evenly. Open the lid only when flipping.

Equipment Needed:

Grill

Ingredients (Full recipe located in recipe card below):

Grilled chicken thighs recipe ingredients in various dishes on a white marble surface: boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, smoked paprika, fresh lemon juice, salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, onion. powder, and ground cumin.

Boneless Chicken Thighs - Juicy, flavorful, and perfect for grilling. They cook quickly and stay tender, even if you go a little over on the time.
Olive Oil - Helps blend the seasonings together.
Salt - Enhances all the flavors.
Ground Black Pepper - Adds the right amount of mild heat.
Onion Powder - Brings depth to the seasoning blend.
Garlic Powder - Adds a savory garlicky flavor.
Smoked Paprika - Provides a mild smoky flavor.
Cumin - Adds a savory hidden depth of flavor.
Fresh Lemon Juice - Freshly squeezed from half a lemon, it tenderizes and adds fresh flavor.

Instructions:

Mix the seasonings: To a small bowl, add the salt, ground black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and ground cumin. Stir until well blending.

Salt, ground black pepper, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder neatly placed in an off-white bowl.

Salt, ground black pepper, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, and onion powder blended in an off-white bowl.

Add the chicken thighs to a large bowl and pat them dry with a paper towel.

Boneless skinless chicken thighs in a silver mixing bowl being patted dry with a paper towel.

Drizzle the chicken with olive oil, then toss until well coated.

Boneless skinless chicken thighs drizzled with olive oil in a silver mixing bowl.

Boneless skinless chicken thighs evenly coated with olive oil in a silver mixing bowl.

Sprinkle the chicken with the seasoning mixture and lemon juice. Toss until the chicken is well coated.

Boneless skinless chicken thighs coated with olive oil and topped with seasoning mix and fresh lemon juice in a silver mixing bowl.

Boneless skinless chicken thighs tossed and evenly coated in an olive oil, seasoning, and fresh lemon juice mixture in a silver mixing bowl.

Preheat the grill to medium high heat (about 400 degrees Fahrenheit). Brush the grill with a light layer of cooking oil if needed and place the chicken on the grill.

Cooking oil being brushed on the grilling surface with a red basting brush.

Seasoned chicken thighs on a black grilling surface smooth side down.

Cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Grilled chicken thighs smooth side up with dark, parallel sear marks on a black grilling surface.

Remove the chicken and rest for 5 minutes.

Grilled chicken thighs with dark, parallel sear marks resting on an off-white plate.

What To Serve With Grilled Chicken Thighs:

These sides are quick, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights.

Flavor Variations:

BBQ - Brush with your favorite BBQ sauce during the last few minutes of grilling.
Cajun - Season with my homemade Cajun seasoning for a bold, spicy kick.

If you like bold flavors, check out my BBQ baked chicken thighs and my pan seared chicken thighs.

Storage And Reheating Instructions:

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Reheat in the microwave 25 seconds at a time until warmed throughout. You can also reheat in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 to 6 minutes until warmed throughout.

Pro Tips:

Preheat the grill before adding the chicken thighs.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after they come off the grill to lock in the juices.
This recipe was tested on this gas grill using this reversible grill/griddle.