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    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Chicken & Turkey

    Published: Aug 30, 2021 · Modified: Aug 15, 2023 by Jen Wooster

    Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

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    BBQ chicken on serving plate and one plate with chicken and green beans
    BBQ grilled chicken thighs on a plate.
    BBQ grilled chicken thighs.

    Delicious juicy grilled BBQ chicken thighs are summer's best (and easiest) go-to dinner. Face your grilling fears with our perfect every time no-fail grilling method that balances direct and indirect heat for the juiciest grilled chicken thighs!

    BBQ chicken on serving plate and one plate with chicken and green beans

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    We love to BBQ in the summer. From smoked ribs to grilled chicken kabobs, we have an arsenal of go-to grilling recipes. Grilled chicken is a staple and these BBQ chicken thighs are my favorite variation.

    📖Why This Recipe Works

    Barbecued chicken thighs are great for a crowd, and are gluten-free and dairy-free so the whole family can enjoy them.

    By starting with a dry rub instead of a marinade you keep the skin on the chicken thighs dry so it crisps up properly.

    We start by cooking skin side down to crisp up the skin before flipping. Then we cook over indirect heat and brush on our BBQ sauce so the sauce can properly carmelize without flare-ups on the grill.

    Flare-ups are the cause of burnet chicken and we don't want that!

    You can make this recipe with your favorite BBQ sauce, my version of BBQ sauce is gluten-free, or use store-bought for an easy weeknight dinner.

    Jump to:
    • 📖Why This Recipe Works
    • 🧾Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • ⏲️How to Grill BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • BBQ Chicken Grilling Times
    • 🥗What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 💭 Variations
    • More Summer Dinner Recipes
    • 🌡️Storing Leftovers
    • 💬Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • ⭐Reviews

    🧾Ingredients for BBQ Chicken Thighs

    This chicken recipe has three components; chicken thighs, a dry rub, and BBQ sauce.

    Chicken Thighs - boneless or bone-in thighs both work equally well but my favorite is skin-on-bone-in thighs.

    You can use the cooking chart below to adapt this recipe for other cuts of chicken.

    BBQ Sauce- Use your favorite homemade version or store-bought. My favorite brands of store-bought sauce are Tessemaes and Stubbs.

    BBQ chicken ingredients laid out on counter

    Dry Rub for Chicken Thighs

    Simple spices you probably already have in the pantry. I recommend using smoked paprika rather than sweet if you happen to have it on hand.

    • Paprika
    • Kosher salt
    • Black pepper
    • Garlic powder
    • Onion powder
    • Dried oregano
    • Dried thyme leaves
    • Cayenne pepper (optional but recommended)

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    ⏲️How to Grill BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Grilling chicken thighs can be easy for beginner cooks while giving grill masters headaches.

    The key to perfectly grilled chicken is taking the time to properly prep the chicken, not rushing the process (it only takes 20 minutes after all!), and using a mix of direct and indirect heat.

    Direct heat is when the chicken is placed on the grates directly above the flame.

    Indirect heat is when the grill is on with flames on one side, but the chicken is pushed to the other side where it benefits from the heat but does not come in direct contact with the flame.

    raw chicken thighs with dry rub seasoning on plate

    Prep the Chicken

    Using a paper towel pat the chicken dry. Sprinkle the dry rub on both sides of the chicken.

    If using bone-in thighs loosen the skin, gently lift the skins, and push some of the dry rub directly onto the meat. This is an often overlooked step that greatly increases the flavor in every bite.

    chicken skin side down on grill

    Grill the Thighs

    Rest the chicken at room temperature while heating your grill.

    Preheat grill to medium-high heat; about 450 F degrees. Once heated turn the flames off on one side of the grill.

    Place the chicken skin-side down on the grill over direct heat (i.e., the side that still has the flame) and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

    chicken on grill over indirect heat, skin side up

    Flip the Chicken Thighs

    Move the chicken to the indirect heat (i.e., the other side of the grill, skin side up, and brush both sides with BBQ sauce.

    Continue cooking with the lid of your grill off/ open.

    brushing BBQ sauce on chicken

    Brush on the BBQ Sauce

    Brush with the BBQ sauce every few minutes until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should be a minimum of 165 F degrees.

    Allow the chicken to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This helps seal in the juices.

    BBQ Chicken Grilling Times

    Chicken CutGrill Temp (F)Estimated Cooking Time
    Bone in Chicken Thighs45020 to 25 minutes
    Boneless Chicken Thighs40010 to 20 minutes
    Boneless Chicken Breasts40012 to 16 minutes
    Chicken Drumsticks40020 to 25 minutes
    Chicken Leg Quarters40030-35 minutes
    Chicken Tenders3755-6 minutes
    Chicken Kabobs40012 to 16 minutes
    Chicken Wings35016 to 22 minutes
    plate of grilled BBQ chicken resting before serving

    🥗What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Thighs

    For a complete meal, we typically serve our BBQ chicken with potato salad, specifically our favorite Blue Cheese Potato Salad, corn on the cob, Blueberry Iced Tea, and our Strawberry Lemon Bars (gluten-free, of course!).

    Other recommended side dishes include:

    • Spicy Coleslaw or my sweet vinegar slaw
    • Summer Tomato Salad
    • Spicy Cucumber Chutney
    • Garlic Green Beans
    • Gluten-Free Baked Beans

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

    If your BBQ sauce is too thick to easily brush onto the chicken thighs, thin it down with a ¼ cup of warm water. 

    Brining your chicken isn't required but highly recommended. A brine will add additional moisture without adding saltiness.

    For additional flavor apply the dry rub 12 hours before grilling. Lay on a plate, cover in plastic wrap, and store in the fridge. Allow the chicken to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before grilling. 

    Never leave the grill unattended and have a small fire extinguisher nearby

    Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature

    💭 Variations

    Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Some days the weather doesn't match my meal plan for the week so I opt to cook our BBQ chicken in the oven. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper for easy clean-up.

    Apply the dry rub per the instructions, place the chicken thighs on the baking sheet, and set the chicken aside (at room temperature) while your oven preheats to 350F degrees.

    Bake the chicken thighs for 15 to 20 minutes before basting with the barbecue sauce. Continue baking until chicken is cooked through (165°F), about 40 minutes.

    BBQ grilled bone in chicken thigh on plate

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      Hawaiian Chicken Pineapple Kabobs
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    🌡️Storing Leftovers

    Leftover grilled chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Leftover BBQ chicken can be reheated in the oven at 300F degrees or eaten cold.

    You can use leftover chicken to make barbecue chicken nachos or chicken zucchini boats.

    💬Frequently Asked Questions

    Do you put BBQ sauce on chicken before grilling?

    Putting BBQ sauce on chicken prior to grilling will cause the sugars in the sauce to burn. Applying after cooking and you lose the caramelized flavor. The best time to apply BBQ sauce to chicken is during the last few minutes of cooking when the chicken is over indirect heat.

    How long does it take to cook chicken thighs on a gas grill?

    For boneless thighs allow 12 to 14 minutes over medium heat (400F). For bone-in thighs allow 15 to 20 minutes over medium-high heat (450F).

    When grilling, what is the difference between direct and indirect heat?

    Direct heat grilling is quick and hot. It uses high heat and puts your food in direct contact with the flames. While indirect heat is associated with low and slow, where the flame is on one part of the grill but the food is pushed to one side where there are no direct flames.

    When grilling chicken we use both direct and indirect heat.

    📖 Recipe

    Grilled bbq chicken thighs on a white plate.

    Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

    Easy to follow recipe for grilled BBQ chicken thighs. These grilled thighs are juicy, smoky, and have the perfect amount of spice thanks to the dry rub. Slather on your favorite BBQ sauce and enjoy!
    Servings: 6
    Prep: 10 minutes mins
    Cook: 20 minutes mins
    Total: 30 minutes mins
    5 from 3 votes
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    Equipment

    • Grill, gas or charcoal
    • Long tongs

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 chicken thighs boneless or bone in
    • ¾ cup BBQ sauce

    Dry Rub

    • 1 tablespoon paprika
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • In a small bowl mix together the dry rub ingredients.
      6 chicken thighs, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¾ cup BBQ sauce

    Skin On, Bone In Chicken Thighs

    • Using a paper towel pat dry the chicken thighs. Loosen the skin. Sprinkle the dry rub on both sides of the chicken. Lift the skins and push some of the dry bub directly onto the meat. Rest at room temperature while heating your grill.
      6 chicken thighs
    • Preheat grill to medium-high heat; about 450 F degrees. Once heated turn the flame off on one side of the grill.
    • Place the chicken skin-side down on the grill over direct heat and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. This will crisp the skin.
    • Move the chicken to indirect heat, skin side up, and brush both sides with BBQ sauce. Continue cooking with the lid of your grill off. Brush with the BBQ sauce every few minutes until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should be a minimum of 165 F degrees. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
      ¾ cup BBQ sauce

    Boneless Chicken Thighs

    • Using a paper towel pat dry the chicken thighs. Sprinkle the dry rub on both sides of the chicken. Rest at room temperature while heating your grill.
    • Preheat grill to medium heat; about 400 F degrees. Once heated turn the flame off on one side of the grill. Grill the chicken for 4 minutes, flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
    • Move the chicken to indirect heat and brush both sides with BBQ sauce.
    • Continue cooking with the lid of your grill off. Brush with the BBQ sauce often until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should be a minimum of 165 F degrees. Allow the chicken to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
    Rate this Recipe

    Notes

    • Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. 
    • If your BBQ sauce is too thick to easily brush on, thin it down with a ¼ cup of warm water. 
    • Discard any leftover BBQ sauce (raw chicken germs).
    • Brining your chicken isn't required but highly recommended. 
    • For additional flavor apply the dry rub 12 hours before grilling. Lay on a plate, cover in plastic wrap, and store in the fridge. Allow the chicken to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before grilling. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 314kcal | Carbs: 16g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 19g | Fiber: 1g
    Author: Jen Wooster
    Course:: Dinner, Main Course
    Cuisine: American, BBQ
    Keyword barbecue chicken thighs, BBQ chicken, BBQ chicken thighs, bone-in BBQ chicken, grilled chicken thighs recipe
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

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    BBQ grilled chicken thighs on a plate.
    BBQ grilled chicken thighs.

    Greetings!

    picture of Jen

    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

    More About Me...

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