These BBQ Chicken Thighs are juicy, tender, and full of flavor! This quick and easy recipe is great for weeknight family dinners, holidays, or weekend cookouts. This chicken is great for meal prep and leftovers, too!
Here is an easy 4-step recipe for the most delicious BBQ chicken thighs! They are juicy and super quick to cook. This recipe is full of savory flavors that the whole family will love.
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Serve them with this cheesy mashed potato casserole and this yummy charred broccoli recipe.
For other tasty chicken recipes, try these easy air fryer chicken thighs or this one for blackened chicken. Both chicken dishes are juicy and full of tasty flavors!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- BBQ chicken thighs offer a delicious blend of smoky, savory, and sweet flavors.
- Chicken thighs are naturally juicier and more tender than other chicken parts.
- This is an easy recipe for weeknight dinners.
- Chicken thighs are usually more budget-friendly than other cuts of meat like chicken breast or beef steak.
- BBQ chicken thighs are a crowd-pleaser at social gatherings, parties, and family events.
- BBQ chicken thighs are delicious even when reheated. This makes them a great option for leftovers.
- Kids will love the taste of these juicy chicken thighs! They are the best!
Ingredients & Substitutes
These are the ingredients and substitutions for BBQ chicken thighs. Scroll down to the recipe card below for the entire recipe.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs cook quickly. They also coat easily. Bone-in chicken thighs will also work; adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Olive oil has a high smoke point and is a versatile oil. Otherwise, feel free to use butter or avocado oil.
Powdered seasonings add a savory and aromatic flavor to the chicken thighs. Use fresh minced garlic and finely chopped onions as an alternative.
The BBQ sauce gives the chicken a smoky, tangy, and sweet flavor. No sugar added store-bought BBQ sauce or homemade is fine.
Taste & Texture
BBQ chicken thighs are full of savory, smoky, and sweet flavors. The smokiness comes from the grilling process (if you choose to grill) and the sauce used.
The chicken meat and BBQ sauce are full of umami goodness. Added to that is the sweetness from the caramelization of natural sugars in the BBQ sauce.
BBQ chicken thighs have a juicy and tender texture. This is achieved through the cooking process.
How to Make
Step 1
First, preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, add chicken thighs, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and pepper in a bowl. Toss until the chicken is completely coated in oil and seasonings.
Step 2
Place chicken thighs on a rimmed baking pan. Using half of the BBQ sauce, brush a little on the tops of each chicken thigh.
Step 3
Bake for 15 minutes. Then, carefully remove the pan from the oven. Brush on the remaining BBQ sauce.
Step 4
Finally, bake for another 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve hot and fresh!
Expert Tips for Success
Follow these tips and tricks to make the best BBQ chicken thighs.
Before grilling or baking, pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This will help the skin crisp up better.
To ensure the chicken thighs are cooked perfectly, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat.
Once the chicken thighs are ready, let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Resting allows the juices to be redistributed, resulting in juicier meat.
Before serving, garnish the chicken thighs with chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley to add freshness.
How to Serve and Store
Serve BBQ chicken thighs with healthy veggies, such as asparagus and Brussels sprouts. We also love serving this chicken dinner with roasted potatoes or brown rice.
These tasty chicken thighs are delicious when served hot as a main course. Cold, they are great inside a sandwich, wrap, or salad. Pull apart the BBQ chicken and top a pizza with it.
With leftover BBQ chicken thighs, allow them to cool down to room temperature before storing them.
Divide the thighs into airtight containers or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. Cooked BBQ chicken thighs will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
The cooked thighs will freeze for up to 3 months. Placing them in a single layer in a freezer-safe container is a good idea. This prevents them from sticking together.
FAQs
BBQ chicken should be grilled or baked until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
A high temperature, like 425 degrees Fahrenheit, is ideal for BBQ chicken.
The combination of using high heat on marinated/basted chicken is the secret to grilled chicken.
Grilling uses direct heat, while barbecue uses indirect heat.
How to Grill BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Preheat your grill to medium heat (around 375°F to 400°F).
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (or your favorite dry rub).
- Place the chicken skin-side down on the cool side of the grill (indirect heat). Cover and cook for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until internal temp reaches about 160°F.
- Move the thighs to the hot side of the grill (direct heat).
- Brush generously with your favorite BBQ sauce and grill for 3–5 minutes per side, flipping and saucing until nicely charred and caramelized.
- Remove from grill when internal temp hits 170–175°F. Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve!
Equipment Needed
Meat Thermometer: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken thighs are fully cooked through.
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