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BBQ Chicken Thighs

BBQ Chicken Thighs make a quick and easy dinner on the grill for any night of the week. This chicken turns out smoky, tender and full of delicious barbecue flavors.

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BBQ Chicken served up with Coleslaw and smashed potatoes makes a great family meal and also perfect for a weekend cookout.

Platter of bbq chicken thighs on a platter with parsley garnish.

The secret to the best bbq chicken is in the sauce! We are using our favorite Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce which is thick enough to really coat the chicken.

Chicken thighs are great for grilling because they tend to be more flavorful and juicy than other cuts of chicken. We debone the chicken thighs for a quick meal on the grill. If you are a garlic lover, you will also like our Cowboy Butter Chicken.

Ingredients Needed for Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

BBQ Chicken thighs on a plate with slaw and potato.

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Step By Step Directions for BBQ Chicken Thighs

Pounding chicken thighs flat with meat mallet.
  1. Debone chicken thighs and pound flat with a meat mallet to even thickness. We cut each thigh into 2 pieces, this is optional.
Raw boneless skinless chicken thighs seasoned with salt and pepper on a baking sheet.

2. Dry chicken pieces with paper towels and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Coat both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

3. Prepare a grill fire using hickory or pecan for smoke flavor.

Chicken thighs on a grill.

4. Cook chicken over indirect heat with the grill closed about 4 minutes.

Brushing BBQ sauce onto chicken thighs on grill.

5. Flip the chicken and brush with bbq sauce. Close the lid and continue to cook another 2-3 minutes.

6. Flip the chicken and brush with bbq sauce. Continue to cook another 2-3 minutes until chicken reaches 165° using a digital meat thermometer.

Brushing bbq sauce on grilled chicken.

7. Remove chicken from grill and brush once more with bbq sauce.

BBQ chicken thighs on a sheet pan.

8. Keep warm or serve immediately.

How to Store and Reheat

  • Store leftover bbq chicken in an airtight container or zip top bag in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
  • Reheat chicken in a skillet with additional bbq sauce over medium heat. Turn after a few minutes to heat from both sides.

If you are feeding a crowd or doing meal prep for the week, try our BBQ Whole Chicken recipe that turns out tender and juicy.

More Chicken Thigh Recipes to Try

2 bbq chicken thighs on a plate with potato and slaw.

BBQ Chicken Thighs are a surefire hit for busy families and can be on the table in about 30 minutes.

If you love this recipe as much as we do, please leave a comment and a five star review. Help us share on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!

BBQ chicken thighs on a platter with parsley.
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BBQ Chicken Thighs

BBQ Chicken Thighs make a quick and easy dinner on the grill for any night of the week. This chicken turns out smoky, tender and full of delicious barbecue flavors.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Chicken
Cuisine: American
Keyword: barbecue chicken, grilled chicken thighs, grilled chicken with bbq sauce
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 277kcal
Author: Milisa

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse ground pepper
  • ½ cup sweet and tangy bbq sauce recipe below

Instructions

  • Debone chicken thighs and remove skin. Pound flat with a meat mallet to even thickness. We cut each thigh into 2 pieces, this is optional.
  • Dry chicken pieces with paper towels and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Coat both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  • Prepare a grill fire using hickory or pecan for smoke flavor.
  • Cook chicken over indirect heat with the grill closed about 4 minutes.
  • Flip the chicken and brush with bbq sauce. Close the lid and continue to cook another 2-3 minutes.
  • Flip the chicken and brush with bbq sauce. Continue to cook another 2-3 minutes until chicken reaches 165° using a digital meat thermometer.
  • Remove chicken from grill and brush once more with bbq sauce.
  • Keep warm or serve immediately.

Notes

Store leftover bbq chicken in an airtight container or zip top bag in the refrigerator up to 4 days.
Reheat chicken in a skillet with additional bbq sauce over medium heat. Turn after a few minutes to heat from both sides.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 138mg | Sodium: 721mg | Sugar: 12g
Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce in a jar with a wooden spoon
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Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce Recipe

Sweet and Tangy BBQ Sauce is a quick and easy homemade sauce for grilling or dipping. It's thick and rich with tons of garlic, molasses and a tangy apple cider vinegar kick. 
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Sauces
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bbq sauce for grilling, easy barbecue sauce, homemade bbq sauce, sweet bbq sauce
Servings: 3 1/2 cups
Calories: 53kcal
Author: Milisa

Ingredients

  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • cup molasses
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
  • 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a heavy saucepan and place over medium heat.
  • Whisk to combine and stir frequently, bringing mixture to a boil.
  • Lower to simmer and cook for about 15 minutes, continuing to stir often.
  • Cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 months.

Video

Notes

Baste over grilled burgers, pork chops, ribs or chicken. Great as a dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 53kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Sodium: 227mg | Sugar: 12g

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