Marinated Grilled Chicken Thighs are a delicious and easy meal option for summertime grilling. With a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavorful marinade that will make your BBQ boneless chicken thighs tender and juicy!
This grilled chicken thigh recipe is a wonderful combination of flavors. The brown sugar and garlic powder add a sweet and savory taste, while the soy sauce and mustard provide an amazing depth of flavor. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just looking for a quick and easy dinner option, marinated grilled chicken thighs are a crowd-pleasing choice.
Easy Summer BBQ Recipe the Whole Family Will Enjoy!
Looking for a delicious and easy recipe to impress your guests at your next summer BBQ? Look no further than these marinated grilled chicken thighs! Packed with flavor and easy to prepare, this recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
To make this recipe, all you need is a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Brown sugar, garlic powder, celery seeds, salt, black pepper, oil, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard all come together to create a delicious marinade that infuses the chicken with flavor and helps it stay tender and juicy on the grill.
So why not give this easy summer BBQ recipe a try? Your family and friends will thank you for it!
Why you’ll absolutely enjoy this easy grilled chicken recipe!
- Simple ingredients. You do not need much to make the chicken thigh marinade and you may have most of the ingredients needed already on hand. I love recipes that do not require a bunch of extra items to be purchased at the store, this one falls in that category!
- Versatile recipe. This recipe is versatile and can be adapted to suit your tastes. You can adjust the amount of salt, pepper, and garlic powder to your liking. You can also swap out the Dijon mustard for regular yellow mustard if you prefer a less sweet option. And if you don’t have celery seeds on hand, you can omit them without affecting the overall flavor of the chicken.
- Tender and juicy. The marinade not only adds flavor to the chicken, but it also helps to tenderize it. The salt in the marinade helps to break down the proteins in the chicken, making it more tender. The oil in the marinade helps the seasonings properly coat the chicken, ensuring that each bite is packed with flavor.
Grilled Chicken Ingredients
Brown sugar: You will need ⅓ cup of packed light brown sugar to add a nice caramelization and crust to the chicken.
Garlic powder: Use 2 teaspoons of garlic powder for this marinade recipe. Or you can use garlic salt instead and omit the added salt in the recipe below.
Celery seeds: Adding 1 teaspoon of celery seeds is optional but it does help to add a layer of freshness and flavor. This is not a typical pantry seasoning for many people, but if you do have them, add them in!
Salt: Using 1 teaspoon of salt helps tenderize and flavor the chicken. If you used garlic salt already, omit this added salt.
Black pepper: You need ½ teaspoon of black pepper for a nice added kick of spice to this marinade.
Oil: Help the seasonings properly coat the chicken by adding ¼ cup of olive oil, or any other vegetable oil that you may have on hand.
Soy sauce: Add a nice depth of flavor by using 4 tablespoons of soy sauce in this marinade recipe.
Dijon mustard: For added sweetness use 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard. You can also swap it out for regular yellow mustard for a less sweet option.
Chicken: You will need 3 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs that have been trimmed.
How to Make Marinated Grilled Chicken Thighs
Marinade
Start by adding the brown sugar, garlic powder, celery seeds, salt, and pepper to a reusable bag or a ziplocked bag.
Then carefully knead the bag together until all the spices are combined. You can do this without closing the bag by holding the top of the bag firmly and kneading the bottom of it with all the ingredients.
Next add in the olive oil, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard to the bag. Again, knead the bag until all the ingredients are well mixed. Close the bag and set it aside.
After that, trim the chicken thighs as needed and place them into the bag of marinade.
Proceed to remove the air from the bag, zip it closed, then knead the chicken and marinade together to coat the chicken well.
Place the bag into the fridge to rest for at least 2 hours, or overnight. The longer the chicken sits in the marinade, the deeper the flavor will be.
Grilling instructions
Begin by preheating the grill to 400 degrees F and get it ready for indirect heating.
Once the grill is heated, remove the chicken from the marinade and place each piece directly on the grill.
Cook for 3 minutes on one side and then flip and cook on the other side for an additional 3 minutes.
After that, flip the chicken back over and close the lid.
Proceed to cook for another 2-5 minutes depending on the size and thickness of the thighs or until the internal temperature has reached 175 degrees F.
Take the thighs off the grill and cover the plate or platter with foil. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions for Grilled Chicken
Marinated grilled chicken thighs are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are a few serving suggestions to inspire your next meal:
- Serve the chicken thighs on a bed of rice or quinoa with a side of steamed vegetables for a healthy and satisfying meal.
- Slice the chicken and use it as a filling for tacos or wraps. Top with your favorite toppings, such as avocado, salsa, or sour cream.
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it to a salad for a protein-packed lunch or dinner. Top with a flavorful dressing, such as balsamic vinaigrette or honey mustard.
- Serve the chicken alongside grilled vegetables, such as zucchini, peppers, and onions, for a colorful and flavorful meal.
- Make a sandwich with the chicken by layering it with lettuce, tomato, and your favorite condiments. Serve with a side of chips or fries for a classic meal.
MARINATED GRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar packed
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp celery seeds *optional
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil (or vegetable oil)
- 4 TBSP soy sauce
- 2 tsp Dijon Mustard (or regular yellow mustard)
- 3 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs, trimmed
Instructions
- Marinade: Start by adding the brown sugar, garlic powder, celery seeds, salt, and pepper to a reusable bag or a ziplocked bag.
- Knead the bag until spices are well blended. Add the olive oil, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard. Knead until all blended together.
- Unpack the chicken thighs and trim the extra fat pieces.
- Place each piece into your marinade. Knead again to coat the chicken with the marinade. Close the bag and place in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Grilling instructions: Heat the BBQ to 400°F. Once it has reached the temperature, place the chicken thighs directly on the grill.
- Cook for 3 minutes on one side, flip and cook for an additional 3 minutes
- Flip them back over, close the lid and cook for an additional 2-5 minutes depending on the thickness or until the internal temperature has reached 175°F.
- Take them off the grill, cover with foil and let rest 5 minutes. Serve and Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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What cuts of chicken are best to use for grilling?
My particular favorite to use are boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They are great for grilling as they are usually smaller and cook quickly. I also love that they are grill to plate ready, you can eat the entire piece of chicken without any extra work! If you choose to use a bone-in, skin on thighs, the cooking time will be longer, around 12-15 minutes.
You can also use chicken breasts for this recipe too, I highly suggest tenderizing the meat first to thin it out a bit, it will cook more evenly this way. Another summer BBQ favorite would be to use chicken drumsticks, they are small and are great for BBQing. No matter what cut of meat you use the marinade will taste delicious!
What is the ideal marinating time to enhance the flavor?
Marinating the chicken for at least 2 hours or overnight will help enhance its flavor. However, be cautious not to marinate the chicken for too long, as the acid in the marinade can break down the proteins and make the chicken mushy.
How long is leftover grilled chicken good for?
You can keep your leftover chicken (assuming there is any) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. Make sure that the chicken has cooled completely before storing.
How do you reheat grilled chicken?
You can reheat your chicken on a plate in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on high or you can reheat them in the air fryer if you want them to get crispy while they warm through. To do this simply heat the air fryer to 350 degrees F and place the thighs in the basket. Heat for 3 to 4 minutes and then enjoy.
Can you suggest a substitute for brown sugar in a marinade?
Honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar can be used as a substitute for brown sugar in a marinade. Keep in mind that the sweetness level may vary depending on the substitute used.
Here are some more great BBQ recipes that you’re going to love!
- SWEET & SPICY GRILLED STICKY CHICKEN
- BBQ CHICKEN BACON PINEAPPLE KABOBS
- GRILLED LEMON CURRY ZUCCHINI
- OVEN BAKED COUNTRY STYLE PORK RIBS
- GRILLED ITALIAN CHICKEN & PASTA
- BBQ CHICKEN WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA
- EASY SMOKED CHICKEN LEGS
- GRILLED SAUSAGE KABOBS & ZAYCON FOODS
- GRILLED STEAK KABOBS
- GRILLED FOIL PACK POTATOES
- CHEESY GRILLED PINEAPPLE CHICKEN
- GRILLED ITALIAN SAUSAGES WITH PEPPERS
- RANCH CHICKEN BACON KABOBS
- GRILLED HONEY MUSTARD CHICKEN
- STICK OF BUTTER SMOKED WHOLE CHICKEN
- GRILLED SPATCHCOCK CHICKEN
- GRILLED TERIYAKI CHICKEN
Marinated Grilled Chicken Thighs is a wonderful summer time lunch or dinner recipe, it is easy to make and so tasty. Get that BBQ cleaned up, grab a bag of charcoals and get ready to make these delicious grilled boneless chicken thighs!
Jv says
1 tsp of garlic powder for 3 pounds of chicken!! Must be a typo.
No flavor.
Nicole says
Sorry to hear that you think that, but there are plenty of seasonings in this recipe to aid in flavoring the chicken.
Michelle says
I made this a few times try adding onion and garlic powder to the marinade as well as fresh garlic if that’s not enough flavor try adding a bit of Chinese 5 spice not too much it can be a bit over powering
Nicole says
Adapting the spices to suit your own tastes is always a great idea 😉
carol McFadden says
Can you bake them in the oven?
Nicole says
Yes, just bake as you normally would (about 350 degrees F for 45 min to 1 hour) at the end, and if you want a little “char” taste to them you can broil for about 2 minutes at the end. Alternatively you can air fry the chicken thighs for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Jv says
I think that many cooks would suggest that this recipe in not sufficiently seasoned …please compare to other recipes by well known cooks and chefs…it is quite bland .you have a lovely website …no criticism …but please check out seasonings per pound?
Dick W says
In the instructions you say to “get it ready for indirect heating” but in the recipe you say “Prepare your BBQ for direct cooking”. Which is it?
Nicole says
prepare the grill for indirect heating and have your chicken nearby so it’s ready to add to the grill once warmed
Jeni Urry says
We really enjoyed this recipe. My husband said to be sure and not lose this recipe!
Nicole says
Haha that’s great!
Kari Davis says
My family loves these chicken thighs! I decided to make them when we were on vacation this summer and we now make them at home regularly. I make double the sauce and save some for basting while grilling.
Jessica says
Great idea, so glad you like them!!