Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs

Name: Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 8 chicken thighs (boneless, skinless (2 pounds)); 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1 lemon (juice and zest); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon dried rosemary; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

What's Great About This Recipe

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are lean, but the dark meat is still tender and juicy.

Boneless skinless thighs cook up quickly on the grill, just 10 minutes.

The simple lemon herb marinade is easy to make but imparts a ton of flavor.

Grilling the chicken thighs gives them a delicious smoky flavor and beautifully browned exterior.

These are so versatile! You can serve them as appetizers for your summer barbecues, or grill some veggies alongside the chicken for a delicious family dinner.

Chicken thighs are an economical cut of chicken, making this recipe a budget friendly choice.

Here's What You Need

Boneless, Skinless, Chicken Thighs Two pounds is around 8 pieces. (Looks like we got a bonus one!)

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs

How To Make It

Whisk all the marinade ingredients together in a small bowl.

The marinade ingredients in a glass bowl being whisked together.

Whisking the marinade together

Top Tips

Trim any excess fat from the boneless thighs before marinating. You can use a sharp knife, but an easy way to do it is with kitchen scissors.

Don't marinate overnight, or any longer than 2 hours. If they marinate too long, the acid in the lemon juice will turn the meat mushy. I only marinate this recipe for ½ hour, and the chicken is super flavorful.

Use a barbecue brush to clean the grill grates and spray them lightly with cooking spray.

While the grill is heating, bring the chicken out of the fridge and using tongs, transfer them to a plate, allowing any excess marinade to drip off.

After removing the chicken, discard the chicken thigh marinade. It is not safe to use.

Place the boneless thighs on the hot grill, leaving space between them. Close the lid on the grill to maintain the heat.

Don't flip until half the cooking time is finished. (Flip only once to avoid sticking).

Let the chicken rest for a couple of minutes after removing from the grill. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, so you'll have tender, juicy chicken thighs.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

Serving Suggestions

Boneless skinless thighs can be treaded onto skewers and served as an appetizer for your next summer bbq. Try them with a dipping sauce like Honey Teriyaki Sauce.

Or make this boneless chicken thighs recipe into a quick weeknight dinner alongside some of your favorite side dishes. Some great options are potato salad, Caesar salad, or Greek Salad.

Risotto is a delicious side for grilled chicken. As are veggies such as green beans, corn on the cob, or carrots.

These easy grilled chicken thighs are also perfect for salads, (like this Spring Chicken Salad), on tacos, or lettuce wraps.

Common Questions

What if I don't have a gas grill?

If you don't have a gas grill (or can't grill because of weather) you can use a grill pan to cook the chicken thighs. You can also cook them in the oven or air fryer. (20 minutes in the oven at 400°, or 10 minutes in the air fryer at 400°)

How do I keep chicken thighs from drying out on the grill?

When grilling chicken thighs, especially skinless chicken thighs, It's important not to overcook them. They won't dry out if they are grilled quickly on high heat.