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Flavorful Grilled Chicken Thighs

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A quick and easy grilled chicken thigh recipe that delivers juicy, tender meat with a crispy, smoky crust using a simple spice rub and straightforward grilling technique.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6–8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
  • Fresh lemon juice from 1/2 lemon

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place them in a large mixing bowl.
  2. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and optional chili powder. Mix well.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken thighs. Toss to coat evenly.
  4. Sprinkle the spice rub over all sides of the chicken and massage it in thoroughly.
  5. Preheat the grill to about 400°F (204°C) for gas or until charcoal coals are glowing red with a light layer of ash.
  6. Oil the grill grates lightly with a paper towel dipped in oil to prevent sticking.
  7. Place the chicken thighs skin side down on the grill. Cook for 6-7 minutes without moving until skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  8. Flip the chicken carefully and cook the other side for 6-8 minutes more (total grilling time about 12-15 minutes).
  9. Check doneness with a meat thermometer; internal temperature should be 165°F (74°C). If no thermometer, cut into one piece to ensure juices run clear and meat is no longer pink.
  10. Remove chicken from grill and let rest on a plate for 5 minutes to redistribute juices.
  11. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the grilled chicken thighs before serving.

Notes

Avoid flipping the chicken too often to develop crispy skin without drying out. Keep a spray bottle handy to control flare-ups. Rest chicken after grilling for juiciness. For boneless thighs, reduce grilling time to 8-10 minutes. Can bake at 425°F for 25-30 minutes as an alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, smoky chicken, quick dinner, backyard BBQ, juicy chicken, chicken spice rub

Find it online: https://sunnysavory.com/flavorful-grilled-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-juicy-dinner-idea/