These Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe will become a staple classic recipe this summer. The easy BBQ sauce and seasoning combined with the tender, juicy thighs makes this the perfect meal anytime of the week.

Want to save this?

Get My Easy Grilling Cookbook Bundle for 75% OFF

Buy now

Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe is one of my grilled chicken recipes. The chicken thighs come out so tender and juicy with the BBQ sauce marinade. Combining the seasoning rub with the barbecue sauce brings out so much flavor.

Grilling chicken pieces can be tricky, but if you are patient and stand close by, the results are amazing. If you love chicken thighs recipes, you might like Grilled Sticky Chicken Thighs, Grilled Huli Huli Chicken, Smoked Chicken Thighs and Grilled Brown Sugar Glazed Chicken Thighs.

Table of Contents

Why We love this BBQ Chicken Thigh Recipe:

  • Tender and Juicy Chicken – We love that this BBQ chicken and seasoning makes the chicken so tender, juicy and full of flavor.
  • Easy to Make – Cooking the chicken thighs on the grill will make it an easy weeknight meal. It is also a crowd pleaser. Rather I am grilling during the week or on the weekend, everyone loves these BBQ flavored Chicken Thighs.
  • Budget Friendly – The seasoning and BBQ sauce are simple and more than likely you already have them.

Why Grill Chicken Thighs?

Chicken thighs are often a meat that is overlooked. It is one of the most juiciest, flavorful part of the chicken. Plus they are budget friendly, compared to chicken breast.

Chicken thighs have more flavor and are easier to cook as they don’t dry out as fast as chicken breast.

Adding the BBQ sauce at the end cooking your chicken thighs, reduces the sticky consistency. Making the chicken thighs flavorful.

Ingredients:

  • Bone-In, Skin On Chicken Thighs
  • Garlic Powder
  • Paprika
  • Kosher Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Favorite BBQ Sauce

For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom to see the recipe card.

Variations Ideas:

  • Chicken – Feel free to make this recipe with bone-in chicken thighs, boneless chicken thighs, chicken breasts or chicken wings. Cooking time may need to be adjusted.
  • Seasoning – Feel free to change the spices to what you prefer. We love to season with onion powder, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper.
  • Marinade – For even more flavor, you can use this easy chicken marinade and marinate for at least 20 minutes to 30 minutes. You even marinade in lemon juice, olive oil, soy sauce and mustard.

How to Grill BBQ Chicken Thighs:

  • Step 1 – Mix Together Chicken Rub Seasoning – Stir together all the seasonings in a small bowl.
  • Step 2 – Add to Chicken – Then rub this seasoning mixture onto the chicken thighs.
  • Step 3 – Prepare Gas Grill – Preheat the grill to 350 degrees F. Brush the grill grates with oil on each side of the grill to prevent the chicken from sticking. You can even grill on charcoal grill.
  • Step 4 – Cook Chicken Thighs – Once the grill is hot, place the BBQ chicken thighs on gas grill, skin side down and close the lid.
  • Step 5 – Cook on chicken on each side – Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side.
  • Step 6 – Add the BBQ Sauce – Brush the chicken with the BBQ sauce. Flip the chicken and brush the opposite side with the BBQ sauce has well.
  • Step 7 – Continue Cooking – Cook for 3 minutes. Flip the chicken again, brush with more BBQ sauce and cook the opposite side for 3-4 more minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Using an instant read thermometer is the best one to purchase.
  • Step 8 – Serve and Enjoy – Move the chicken to a serving platter and serve with your favorite BBQ Chicken sides. Allow chicken rests for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Do you add BBQ Sauce on Chicken before Grilling?

Adding the BBQ sauce to the chicken is important but don’t add it right away. If you add it before, you can burn the chicken. We recommend adding the BBQ sauce to the chicken after it has slowly cooked to perfection. Once you chicken reading an internal temperature of 165 degrees then add your BBQ Sauce.

We brush the BBQ sauce on each side of the chicken and let it grill for a few more minutes.

How Long to Grill BBQ Chicken Thighs?

Using a meat thermometer will make sure you do not overcook your chicken. We recommend staying close to the grill to ensure your chicken doesn’t burn.

We grilled each side about 5-7 minutes. They were cooked all the way through and did not burn or dry out. We love to have the chicken thighs to have a crispy skin.

Serving Suggestions:

Try these amazing sides with your BBQ Chicken Thighs. When grilling chicken thighs, I like to make things easy.

How to Store Leftovers:

Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. These chicken thighs store great. Perfect for lunch the next day.

We like to store in individual containers for an easy lunch or dinner the next day. We add the side to the dish and shredded chicken thighs. It heats perfectly in the microwave for an amazing lunch.

More Grilled Chicken Recipes:

We love hearing from you. If you make these Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs, please leave us a star review.

Review Pin Print

Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

5 from 91 votes
These Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs Recipe will become a staple recipe this summer. The BBQ sauce and seasoning makes these thighs so delicious.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Total Time 26 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Calories 322
Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

Want to save this?
Just enter your email and I’ll send it right to you, plus great new recipes weekly!

Instructions

  • Stir together all the seasonings in a small bowl. Then rub this seasoning mixture onto the chicken thighs.
  • Preheat the grill to 350 degrees F. Brush the grill grates with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.
  • Once the grill is hot, place the chicken on the grill, skin side down.
  • Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side.
  • Brush the chicken with the BBQ sauce. Flip the chicken and brush the opposite side with the BBQ sauce has well. Cook for 3 minutes. Flip the chicken again, brush with more BBQ sauce and cook the opposite side for 3-4 more minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Recipe Notes

The cook times will vary based on the size of the chicken. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked to the correct temperature.
Store any leftover chicken in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 322kcal, Carbohydrates 7g, Protein 36g, Fat 15g, Saturated Fat 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2g, Monounsaturated Fat 6g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 117mg, Sodium 660mg, Potassium 597mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 5g, Vitamin A 23IU, Vitamin C 1mg, Calcium 33mg, Iron 1mg

Pin This Now to Remember It Later

Pin Recipe

Try these other recipes

Share this recipe!

PinYummly

About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Grill on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. From the Best Blackstone recipes, to grilling, and easy smoker recipes, together we are going to cook real food, with easy ingredients… for real families!

About Carrie
5 from 91 votes (88 ratings without comment)

Leave A Review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Kaylon says:

    5 stars
    We love this BBQ chicken thigh recipe. This will be on weekly rotation for us for the summer!!!

  2. Cindy S. says:

    5 stars
    Delicious. We followed the instructions and recipe to a tee. Perfecto!

  3. Carrie says:

    So glad you loved it!

  4. Linda says:

    5 stars
    My go to for the easiest and tastiest chicken thighs! So simple and I always get asked how they were made. They don’t even need bbq sauce! Thank you for these!

  5. Carrie Barnard says:

    Love hearing that! Thank you so much for sharing Linda!