If you’re looking for a fast, easy, and delicious way to enjoy chicken, grilling chicken thighs on a gas grill is a fantastic choice. Chicken thighs, especially boneless or skin-on-bone-in varieties, are juicy, flavorful, and much more challenging to dry than chicken breasts. Whether you’re interested in exploring how to cook chicken thighs on a gas grill, this guide will walk you through every step, from selecting the right ingredients to grilling them to perfection. With just a few simple tools and ingredients, you’ll have a meal that will impress.
Why Chicken Thighs?
Chicken thighs are an excellent choice for grilling because they have more fat and connective tissue than chicken breasts, making them naturally more flavorful and moist. Plus, they hold up well to high-heat grilling, delivering a crispy exterior and juicy interior in just minutes. If you’ve always reached for chicken breasts, it’s time to try thighs—you’ll love the rich flavor and tenderness they bring to the table.
Ingredients for Grilled Chicken Thighs
Let’s start with the essentials. You don’t need much to create a mouthwatering grilled chicken thigh dish. These ingredients are simple but pack a lot of flavor.
For the Chicken Thighs:
- 3 pounds of chicken thighs (boneless, skinless, or bone-in skin-on, depending on your preference)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing boneless, skinless thighs)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (for seasoning)
- Optional: garlic powder, paprika, or your favorite seasoning blend (such as a BBQ rub)
For a Simple Marinade:
- 1 cup olive oil
- ½ cup white wine vinegar
- ½ cup white wine
- 5 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary (finely minced)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (finely minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano (minced)
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for a bit of heat)
Recommended Tools to Make Grilled Chicken Thighs
The right tools can make grilling chicken thighs easier and ensure the best results. Here are the essential tools you’ll need for grilling:
Grill: A gas grill with multiple burners for better heat control. You can refer to the ovens below:
- Weber Spirit II E-310 Gas Grill This grill is popular for its solid construction and consistent performance. It has three stainless steel burners that provide even heat distribution, making it great for achieving perfectly grilled chicken thighs. The Weber Spirit II E-310 also has an easy-to-clean grease management system, which is useful when cooking juicy cuts like chicken thighs.
- Char-Broil Performance Series 4-Burner Gas Grill Known for its large cooking area and precise temperature control, this grill is ideal for both beginners and seasoned grillers. The stainless steel burners heat evenly, ensuring your chicken thighs are perfectly grilled without flare-ups.
- Dyna-Glo 4-Burner Open Cart Propane Gas Grill This affordable option offers ample cooking space and includes features like an open cart design and a side burner. With good heat retention and easy cleanup, it grills chicken thighs with minimal fuss.
- Napoleon Rogue 425 Gas Grill For those looking for premium features, the Napoleon Rogue offers great heat control and high-end materials. With three main burners, precise heat zones, and the ability to sear well, this grill can cook chicken thighs that are juicy on the inside with a perfect sear on the outside.
- Cuisinart CGG-7400 Propane, 4-Burner Gas Grill This grill offers excellent value for money with its four burners, large cooking space, and stainless steel control panel. It heats up quickly and maintains even heat, making it a great option for grilling chicken thighs to perfect doneness.
- Or the best gas grills under $1000, as I mentioned.
Tongs: A good pair of long-handled tongs to quickly flip and move the chicken.
Instant-Read Thermometer: This tool is crucial for checking the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it’s cooked through.
Grill Brush: To clean the grill grates before cooking.
Foil: This is for wrapping and resting the chicken after grilling.
Instructions for Grilling Chicken Thighs
Now that we’ve got the ingredients and tools ready, let’s dive into grilling your chicken thighs perfectly.
1. Marinate the Chicken Thighs
Marinating chicken thighs is optional, but it’s a great way to add more flavor and moisture to the meat. If you have the time, combine all the marinade ingredients in a large zip-top bag or glass container. Add the chicken thighs, seal the bag tightly, and shake it to ensure the chicken is evenly coated in the marinade. Place the bag in the refrigerator for 4 to 8 hours (or as little as 30 minutes if you’re short on time). This gives the flavors time to penetrate the meat, resulting in tender, flavorful chicken.
Quick Tip: Even if you only have 15 minutes, a brief marinating time can still help. But for the best results, aim for at least 4 hours.
2. Preheat Your Gas Grill
Before you grill the chicken thighs, preheat your gas grill to medium-high heat (between 400-450°F). Preheating is essential because it ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and develops those beautiful grill marks without sticking to the grates.
While the grill is preheating, clean the grill grates using your grill brush. Then, lightly oil the grates by dipping a paper towel in vegetable oil and rubbing it over the grates with tongs. This helps prevent the chicken from sticking.
3. Prepare the Chicken Thighs for Grilling
If you didn’t marinate the chicken, now’s the time to season it. Season the thighs generously with salt and pepper or your favorite seasoning mix for bone-in, skin-on thighs. For boneless, skinless thighs, lightly brush them with olive oil before seasoning to keep them moist during grilling.
Quick Tip: Trimming excess fat from the chicken thighs can help prevent flare-ups on the grill caused by dripping fat. While you want some fat for flavor, trimming away any large pieces of fat can make grilling easier.
4. Grill the Chicken Thighs
Place the chicken thighs on the grill, skin-side up (for bone-in thighs) or smooth-side down (for boneless thighs). Close the lid and cook for about 5-6 minutes. Then flip the thighs and cook for another 4-6 minutes. Chicken thighs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part, but I prefer to cook them at 185°F for even more tender results. You’ll get perfectly crispy skin and juicy meat with this method.
Quick Tip: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Cooking by temperature, not time, ensures that the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat without overcooking it.
5. Rest the Chicken
Once the chicken thighs are fully cooked, remove them from the grill and place them on a plate. Cover the plate lightly with foil and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes. Resting is crucial because it allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making each bite tender and juicy.
Quick Tip: While the chicken rests, you can brush it with your favorite BBQ sauce or a squeeze of lemon for extra flavor.
6. Serve and Enjoy
After the chicken thighs have rested, it’s time to serve! These thighs are delicious but plentiful when paired with grilled vegetables, a fresh salad, or your favorite side dishes like rice, potatoes, or pasta.
Quick Tips for Perfect Grilled Chicken Thighs
– Use a Two-Zone Fire: Consider using a two-zone grilling setup if you’re grilling bone-in thighs. Keep one side of the grill high for searing and the other on medium-low for slower cooking. This helps ensure the chicken is crispy on the outside and fully cooked on the inside without burning.
– Avoid Flare-Ups: Chicken thighs have more fat than breasts, which can cause flare-ups on the grill. Keep a close eye on the chicken and move it around the grill if flare-ups occur. Trimming excess fat before grilling also helps minimize this issue.
– Season Generously: Chicken thighs can handle a lot of seasoning. Don’t be generous with salt, pepper, and other spices. You can also experiment with different rubs or marinades to switch up the flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken thighs are incredibly versatile and can be served with various side dishes. Here are a few ideas to complement your grilled chicken thighs:
– Grilled Vegetables: Pair the chicken with grilled zucchini, bell peppers, or corn on the cob for a healthy, summer-inspired meal.
– Salads: A light, refreshing salad like a Caesar or Greek salad makes a perfect side.
– Potatoes: Try serving your chicken with mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, or even grilled potatoes for a hearty side dish.
– Rice: Lemon or brown rice are great options to serve alongside grilled chicken for a balanced meal.
Final Thoughts
Grilling chicken thighs on a gas grill is an easy and rewarding way to prepare a flavorful, juicy meal. You can quickly enjoy perfectly cooked chicken thighs with a simple marinade or seasoning and a few essential tools. Whether you plan to cook chicken wings on a gas grill or thighs, this recipe is foolproof and perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekend cookouts.
These simple steps will make you a delicious dish that the whole family will love. Happy grilling!
FAQs
1. How long do I need to grill chicken thighs on a gas grill?
For boneless, skinless chicken thighs, it typically takes about 6-7 minutes per side, or 12-15 minutes total, depending on the thickness. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs require more time, about 8-10 minutes per side, or 25-30 minutes total. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption, though cooking to 185°F results in even more tender thighs.
2. Do I need to marinate chicken thighs before grilling?
Marinating chicken thighs is optional but highly recommended to enhance flavor and keep the meat juicy. A marinade with olive oil, vinegar, garlic, and herbs can infuse the chicken with additional moisture and flavor. You can marinate chicken thighs for as little as three best results; aim for 4-8 hours in t for best results in the refrigerator.
3. Should I grill chicken thighs over direct or indirect heat?
You can grill chicken thighs over direct heat because they cook quickly, especially boneless, skinless thighs. For bone-in, skin-on thighs, you may want to use two-zone grilling—starting with direct heat to sear the skin and then moving to indirect heat to finish cooking through without burning the skin.
4. What is the best final internal temperature for chicken thighs?
While 165°F is the FDA’s recommended minimum internal temperature for safe consumption, cooking chicken thighs to 185°F to 195°F results in a more tender texture; at this temperature, the connective tissues in the thighs break down, making the meat juicier and more flavorful.
5. How do I prevent chicken thighs from sticking to the grill?
To prevent chicken thighs from sticking to the grill, preheat the grill to a high temperature (400-450°F) and lightly oil the grates before placing the chicken on them. Brushing boneless, skinless thighs with olive oil before seasoning can also help prevent sticking.