Grilling chicken thighs with skin and bone isn’t too complicated. But a little know-how goes a long way if you want to elevate them from an ordinary summertime BBQ staple to an extraordinary highlight of the party.
If you’ve ever ended up with overcooked, dry thighs, or worse, had the skin stick to the grill, you know that chicken thighs can easily go wrong if you’re not careful. But if you do them right, the juicy, tender inside, and crispy, charred outside make for amazing eating.
Often overlooked, chicken thighs are versatile and affordable—perfect for serving a crowd. You can prepare them in multiple ways to make sure everyone has a grilled chicken thigh with bone recipe to enjoy.
In this guide, we’re going to teach you a simple, straightforward method to get you started. From there, we’ll cover lots of different recipe variations you can experiment with. Let’s begin!
1. Start with Salt and Pepper
Chicken thighs are great for experimenting with various spices and sauces. They have a naturally rich flavor that can really go in any direction. Start with the most straightforward grilled chicken thighs with bone recipe: salt, pepper, and some succulent meat.
You may also want to coat the outside in olive oil to prevent the skin from sticking. But if you sear them over hot enough heat, you shouldn’t need any oil. However, stock gas grills may not be able to achieve those heat levels.
The FlavrQ Grilling System increases your gas grill’s temperature by 100° or more, making it possible to get the perfect sear. It also gives you charcoal-grilled flavor, so your chicken thighs and other grilled foods have a rich, robust taste.
2. Play with Other Herbs and Spices
The great thing about chicken thighs is that they work beautifully with all sorts of seasonings. Try coming up with your own simple grilled chicken thighs with bone recipe by mixing any (or all) of the following herbs and spices.
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Basil
- Rosemary
- Thyme
You can get really creative when grilling chicken thighs with skin and bone, so feel free to try bolder, more exotic seasonings, too. Here are some suggestions:
- Curry powder
- Chili powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne
- Cumin
- Red pepper flakes
- Brown sugar
3. Marinate for Bigger Flavors
A dry rub will put you on the path to exciting flavors, but marinades can add even more depth, especially if you let the thighs soak overnight. That said, even just a half hour of marinating will make for a tastier grilled chicken thighs with bone recipe.
Just like seasonings, you can use all sorts of different marinades to infuse chicken thighs with flavor. You should be able to whip up a marinade from pantry staples. An everything but the kitchen sink approach can work wonders, or simply pick one or two ingredients.
- BBQ sauce
- Soy sauce
- Balsamic vinegar
- Citrus juice
- Dijon mustard
- Honey
- Maple syrup
4. Toss Them on the Grill
The key to perfectly juicy inside and crispy outside chicken thighs is professional-style grilling with indirect and direct heat zones. Heat levels are just as important as the ingredients used in your grilled chicken thighs with bone recipe.
Grilling chicken thighs with skin and bone properly requires that you sear the meat first to achieve that perfectly crispy skin. Three minutes on high heat for each side should give your thighs a golden-brown crust.
After searing, move the thighs to your indirect heat zone. Depending on your grill, you can either use the heat emanating from the high heat section or turn it to its lowest setting. Keep them in this zone until they reach 165˚F, rotating and flipping them occasionally.
5. Get Charcoal-Grilled Flavor with Your Gas Grill
With our proprietary grilling system, you can enjoy charcoal-grilled flavor with gas grill convenience! Simply install the FlavrQ Grid and use our patented Charcoal Chips™ as fuel. This game-changing gas grill upgrade will make any grilled chicken thighs with bone recipe pop!
FlavrQ is the ultimate secret ingredient when you’re grilling chicken thighs with skin and bone, and it’ll give any other grilled foods a huge flavor boost, too, from frozen burgers to the perfect steak.
Flavor isn’t the only reason to use FlavrQ. The temperature boost you get lets you sear and seal your food for a juicier texture and photo-ready appearance. And, because our Charcoal Chips™ is 100% natural, it’s better for you and the planet.
FlavrQ is also much more efficient. One pound of Charcoal Chips™ equals four pounds of conventional charcoal, using 75% less fuel to get the same results. You’ll also reduce charcoal storage space by 80%. Say goodbye to bulky bags!
Boost Your Q with FlavrQ
As you find your signature grilled chicken thighs with bone recipe, don’t overlook your grill as a crucial ingredient. How you cook matters as much as what you’re cooking!
Backyard grillers swear by FlavrQ—just check our customer reviews. The FlavrQ Starter Kit comes with everything you need to transform your backyard BBQs and start enjoying the juiciest and tastiest food at home.
If you have any questions about FlavrQ, check out our How It Works, Dos and Don’ts, and FAQs pages, or contact us. And be sure to follow our BBQ blog for more delicious recipes and expert grilling tips.
Ready to unleash the ultimate grill master in you? FlavrQ will improve any and every grilled chicken thighs with bone recipe. Taste the difference. Boost your Q with FlavrQ!