Grilled Chicken Thighs with Easy Marinade Recipe

Summertime and grilling are a given at our house and you’re going to love this super easy (and delicious) recipe for Grilled Chicken Thighs. Lightly charred outside and packed with flavor from the simple, flavor-packed fast marinade. The marinade is made with simple ingredients and you probably already have everything you need on hand!

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Easy Marinade Recipe

Our family loves grilled chicken – we especially love dark meat. And this chicken thigh recipe is the best way to make juicy chicken thighs that are super flavorful.

Boneless thighs are actually my favorite cut of chicken (for most recipes) but when I’m grilling, bone-in chicken thighs and legs make the best grilled chicken!

Why You’ll Love these Grilled Chicken Thighs

• Avoid a hot kitchen! On hot summer days, being able to cook outside or using my Instant Pot means I don’t have to heat up my kitchen – that’s a win for everybody!
• Ready fast! While you can marinate this chicken overnight, you can also marinate it in as little as 30 minutes and cook for around 15 minutes for perfectly juicy chicken.
• Make ahead. You could double or triple this recipe, then cool the chicken to room temperature and remove it from the bone. It can be frozen to use in salads, wraps, or chicken casserole recipes. 

Video

Tools Needed

Grill: charcoal grill or gas grill – whichever you have. I do not recommend an indoor grill for this recipe – you will not get the same great flavor (or the grill marks).

Meat thermometer – I love Thermoworks thermometers for all of my kitchen needs! This instant-read thermometer is perfect for cooking chicken thighs.

Tongs – any kitchen tongs will work if they’re long enough to reach across your grill.

Bowl (for marinade) – this does not need to be a large bowl!

Large shallow dish (for marinating)

Ingredients

These ingredients are so simple – I imagine you have most, if not all, already in your pantry!

• Vegetable oil
• Soy sauce
• Honey
• Lemon juice
• Italian seasoning
• Black pepper
• Garlic, minced
• Parsley
• Bone-in chicken thighs (about 8 thighs). Skin-on chicken thighs will give you the best flavor and texture and you don’t run the risk of drying them out.

Substitutions

Chicken. Chicken legs (drumsticks) also work great in this marinade but cook a little faster. You could use boneless chicken thighs but the chicken will also cook much more quickly! Be sure to have a food thermometer on hand so you can keep a check on the temperature and not overcook the chicken. Boneless skinless chicken thighs also won’t have that delicious crispy skin that might be the best part of grilling chicken thighs. If you decide to use white meat (such as boneless chicken breasts or even bone-in chicken breasts, the cooking time will change).

Seasonings. I love this marinade just as it’s written but you could certainly add or take away anything you want to make it your own – use your own spice blend! I often will use garlic powder when I don’t have fresh garlic or Cajun seasoning (for a little kick) instead of Italian seasoning. Onion powder or chili powder can also be used for different flavors. You could also use lime juice instead of the lemon juice.

Hot to Make Chicken Marinade & Grilled Chicken Thighs

This chicken thighs recipe is so easy and the short marinating and grilling time means you can have it ready to eat in under an hour! 

Chicken Thigh Marinade:

1. Combine oil, soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic, and parsley. 
2. Mix well and set the chicken marinade aside.

Marinating & Grilling the Chicken:

1. Place the thighs in a single layer in a shallow dish. 
2. Pour marinade over the bone-in thighs, cover, and place chicken in refrigerator for 30 minutes (can also marinate overnight).
3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat – about 400º, make sure the grates are cleaned and oiled.
4. Place the chicken, skin side down, close, and grill chicken for 6-8 minutes until the chicken easily comes off the grill when you pick it up with tongs.
5. Flip the chicken, and cook another 6-8 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (reaches 165º internal temperature). Check the temperature in the thickest part of the thigh.
6. Remove from grill, and let the chicken rest at 5 minutes before serving.
7. Sprinkle with additional parsley and a squeeze lemon juice if desired.

Pro Tips

• ​Use a paper towel to rub some oil on the grill grates to help prevent the chicken from sticking.
• If the chicken is sticking when you get ready to flip it, allow it to cook for another minute or two.
• Chicken cooks best over direct heat so make sure you have it on a hot spot on your grill.

Serving Suggestions

My kids love to add sauces to everything and these chicken thighs could be served with any sauce you like. Here are a few we use:

• BBQ Sauce
• Honey Mustard or Dijon Mustard
• Ranch Dressing (please tell me I’m not the only parent who has kids that eat Ranch dressing with everything)
• The Best Cowboy Butter Recipe for Steak

What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Thighs

• Potato Salad
• Green Beans with Bacon and Brown Sugar
• Barbecue Beans
• French Bread
• Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas
• German Cucumber Salad
• Instant Pot Corn on the Cob (Fresh or Frozen!)

Storage Directions

Leftovers. ​If you have any leftovers, place them in an airtight container or zip-top plastic bag and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheating. Place them on a microwave-safe plate and reheat for a minute or two.

More Summer Recipes

• Red White and Blue Fruit Salad (Watermelon Salad)
• 5 Hacks for a Perfectly Grilled Burger
• Grilled Brats with 7UP BBQ Sauce
• Blackberry Peach Cobbler Recipe
• Rojos Street Corn Dip (Copycat Recipe)\
• Best Cornflake Chicken Recipe (Crispy & Baked)

See the recipe card below for the printable recipe.