Description
Sizzling BBQ boneless chicken thighs promise a flavor explosion of smoky, tangy goodness straight from summer’s grill. Bold marinades and perfect char create a mouthwatering experience that delivers pure backyard barbecue magic.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Sauce and Optional Spice:
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper or chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Thoroughly dab chicken thighs with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring optimal seasoning adherence and grill caramelization.
- Create a robust marinade by combining olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper in a mixing vessel.
- Gently coat chicken thighs with prepared seasoning mixture, allowing ingredients to permeate meat fibers for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Allow marinated chicken to rest at ambient temperature for approximately 20 minutes, permitting spices to infuse and meat to approach uniform temperature.
- Prepare outdoor grill by heating to medium-high intensity, creating ideal cooking environment with consistent thermal distribution.
- Lightly lubricate grill grates with cooking oil to prevent potential protein adhesion and facilitate seamless turning.
- Carefully position seasoned chicken thighs onto preheated grill surface, maintaining deliberate spacing between pieces.
- Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes per side, monitoring internal temperature progression toward safe 165°F threshold.
- Generously brush both surfaces with tangy barbecue sauce, creating glossy caramelized exterior during final grilling phase.
- Continue grilling sauced chicken for additional 1-2 minutes per side, developing rich mahogany-colored glaze.
- Remove chicken from grill, transferring to clean serving platter and allowing 4-5 minutes resting period to redistribute internal juices.
- Present grilled chicken with complementary barbecue sauce on side for optional additional flavor enhancement.
Notes
- Enhance flavor by adding a touch of honey or brown sugar to the BBQ sauce for a deeper caramelization and subtle sweetness.
- Opt for bone-in chicken thighs for more moisture and richer taste if preferred over boneless cuts.
- Create a low-carb version by using sugar-free BBQ sauce or making a homemade sugar-free glaze with tomato paste, vinegar, and spices.
- Ensure even cooking by pounding chicken thighs to uniform thickness before marinating, preventing dry or undercooked sections.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg