These BBQ Chicken Thighs are the juiciest grilled chicken you’ve ever had! Smothered in barbecue sauce, their sweet and tangy flavor is to die for.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
BBQ Chicken Thighs are one of my absolute summer favorites. I love how crazy juicy they are and the flavor from the grill is so good. You can use homemade barbecue sauce or your favorite store-bought one to add all the extra flavor you want.
- TASTE: The savory flavor of the chicken is delicious coated with rich mayonnaise and fresh garlic. Sweet and tangy barbecue sauce tastes great on top.
- TEXTURE: This cut of chicken is extra juicy because of the higher fat content. It’s also tossed in mayo and then sauce to make this the juiciest chicken you’ve ever had.
- TIME: This chicken thighs recipe takes 23 minutes to make with 2 hours for marinating the chicken.
- EASE: This dish is a breeze and it uses simple ingredients. It’s also great for outdoor grilling so you can get out of the hot kitchen.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken thighs- Boneless and skinless are best here to make it easier to eat and cook.
- BBQ sauce- I used store-bought Kinder BBQ sauce Original flavor, but you can use any type you like.
- Mayonnaise- This rich and creamy ingredient will help the seasonings hold to the chicken and make it extra flavorful.
- Fresh garlic- Fresh garlic cloves add the best flavor.
- Seasonings- Keep it simple with some Black Pepper and Sea Salt.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Add other seasonings- Marinate the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cumin, or thyme.
- Make it sweeter and tangier- Brush your chicken thighs with honey or add brown sugar to the marinade for sweeter flavor. Use some apple cider vinegar for more tang.
- Add some spice- Chili powder, red pepper flakes, and hot sauce can all give your grilled chicken a kick.
- Use different meats- Bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs can work, or chicken breasts. Just adjust cook times as necessary.
How to Make BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Make the marinade. Place the chicken thighs into a large bowl. Then add the mayonnaise, fresh garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Marinate the chicken. Give it all a good thorough mix to incorporate all the ingredients. Then cover and refrigerate it for a few hours or overnight for better flavor.
- Preheat the grill. Preheat your grill to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Grill the marinated chicken thighs. Clean and oil the grill grates and place the chicken on top. Cook for 4-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the meat.
Pro Tip: If you have the time, let your chicken come to room temperature before grilling. This will ensure more even cooking.
- Add BBQ sauce and rest. Remove the chicken thighs from the grill and place them into a deep baking dish. Then smother the hot chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce. Then cover with foil and let it infuse and rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Marinate for longer- The longer the mayonnaise and spices are on the chicken, the more flavor will be absorbed into it. Marinate overnight if you can.
- Oil the grill grates- Doing this keeps the chicken from sticking to the grates as the juices escape during cooking.
- Let it rest- After adding the barbecue sauce, let it absorb into the chicken while also letting the juices in the thighs reabsorb so they stay moist.
- Bake it- If you want to bake it instead, preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Bake the chicken for about 20 minutes, then brush it with BBQ sauce and bake for another 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through.
FAQs
Season your chicken thighs after coating them with either olive oil or mayonnaise. Toss with seasonings and then either let them marinate to absorb flavor or cook them right away.
Barbecuing boneless, skinless chicken thighs takes about 4-7 minutes per side at 425 degrees. If you’re grilling chicken thighs that are bone-in and skin-on, then they’ll take about 20-25 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
This delicious BBQ chicken recipe is the perfect summer dish. Serve them with your favorite barbecue items, sides, salads, and desserts for a meal everyone will love.
- Grilled meats: Pair them with some Grilled Ribeye Steak, Grilled BBQ Meatballs, BBQ Chicken Wings, or Smoked Ribs.
- Sides: Serve these tender chicken thighs alongside some macaroni salad, coleslaw, Potato Salad with Baked Salmon, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, or Grilled Vegetables.
- Salad: Enjoy this dish with some cold salads, like this Cucumber Radish Salad, Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad, Avocado Corn Salad, or Tomato Garlic Salad.
- Desserts: End the meal with some Lemon Pound Cake (VIDEO), Strawberry Bundt Cake, Cherry Cobbler, or Lemon Raspberry Cupcakes.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can prep ahead by marinating the chicken overnight, then grill it the next day.
Storing: Store these BBQ Chicken Thighs once cooled in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat them in the oven, on the grill, or in the microwave.
Freeze: You can freeze the cooked thighs once they have cooled. Store them in a freezer ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating and adding more BBQ sauce.
More Tasty BBQ Favorites!
Full Recipe Instructions
BBQ Chicken Thighs
These BBQ Chicken Thighs are the juiciest grilled chicken you’ve ever had! Smothered in barbecue sauce, they’re sweet and tangy.
Servings: 6
Calories: 584kcal
Instructions
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Place the chicken thighs into a large bowl. Then add the mayonnaise, fresh garlic, salt, and pepper.
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Give it a good thorough mix to incorporate all the ingredients well. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight for better flavor.
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If you have the time, let your chicken come to room temperature before grilling. This will ensure more even cooking, but it’s not absolutely crucial. Preheat your grill to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Clean and oil the grill grates and place the chicken on top. Cook for 4-7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit in the thickest part of the meat.
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Remove the chicken thighs from the grill and place them into a deep baking dish.
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Immediately smother the hot chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce (I love the Kinder BBQ sauce for this recipe). Then cover with foil and let it infuse and rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
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Note: If you want to bake this chicken instead, preheat your oven to 400°F. Line A baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Place the chicken on top and bake for about 20 minutes. Brush the chicken with bbq sauce and bake for another 15-20 minutes or until cooked through.
Nutrition
Calories: 584kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 1359mg | Potassium: 488mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 291IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg
Hi, I’m Dina, so glad you stopped by! I believe life is too short for bad coffee and boring meals. With my easy to follow step-by-step recipes, you’ll be surprised at how quickly a wholesome and delicious meal can come together. I hope you find something you enjoy!