The BEST Grilled Chicken Thighs

The Best Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe – tender and juicy chicken that is bursting with flavor! Boneless thighs marinated in beer, BBQ seasoning, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, and garlic. Brace yourself for a flavor explosion!  Whether you’re firing up the grill for a summertime cookout or simply looking to elevate your weeknight dinner, these grilled chicken thighs are a must-try.

Plain Chicken participates in affiliate advertising programs. We may earn a commission when you make purchases through links on our site.

Easy Chicken Marinade Recipe

Stop what you are doing and add these Grilled Chicken Thighs to your next cookout menu. Chicken marinated in beer, BBQ seasoning, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, and garlic. Brace yourself for a flavor explosion! The marinade works its magic, ensuring each bite is bursting with savory, tangy goodness. The chicken develops a delicious char on the grill, sealing in all those incredible flavors. Whether you’re firing up the grill for a summer cookout or simply craving some fantastic grilled chicken, this recipe is a winner.

How to Cook Grilled Chicken Thighs

This bbq chicken recipe is super easy to make with only a few ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together beer, bbq dry rub, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Place boneless skinless chicken thighs in a large ziplock bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. 

When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade. Pat the chicken dry with a clean paper towel. Prepare the grill and cook the chicken over direct heat, flipping once or twice, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• You can use this marinade on any cut of chicken. Chicken thighs, chicken breasts, chicken tenderloins, or chicken drumsticks.
  • You can use boneless chicken thighs or bone-in chicken thighs.
  • Skinless chicken thighs or skin-on chicken thighs both work fine.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165ºF.
• Here is our recipe for Homemade BBQ Seasoning made with salt, brown sugar, paprika, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and dry mustard: https://www.plainchicken.com/bbq-seasoning/
  • Feel free to mix up the spices in the seasoning. Cumin and chili powder are delicious additions.
  • Our favorite store-bought BBQ Rubs are Kinders and McCormick’s Grill Mates.
• Use any beer that you enjoy. I suggest a light beer so it doesn’t overpower the chicken.
• Brush the chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce before taking the chicken off the grill.
• You can cook the chicken on a gas grill or a charcoal grill.
  • Here are our tips for cooking on a charcoal grill: https://www.plainchicken.com/grilling-101-how-to-use-charcoal-starter/
• I don’t have a grill. Can I cook the chicken inside? Yes! Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to the pan and cook for 2 or 3 minutes per side. Place the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 400ºF for approximately 10 minutes, until a meat thermometer reads 165ºF.
• Can I freeze grilled chicken? Yes! Place chicken in a large freezer bag. Prepare the marinade and pour it over the chicken. Store chicken in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • When ready to cook the chicken, thaw in the refrigerator and cook as directed.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
  • Reheat in the microwave.

What to Serve with Grilled Chicken Thighs

This chicken has been on repeat at our house. It has SO much amazing flavor. Serve it alongside some potato salad, buttery corn on the cob, or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal that’ll have your taste buds singing praises. Leftovers are delicious in a tortilla wrap or taco bowls. Add this to your menu the next time you fire up the grill. Trust me, you’ll be the grill master of the neighborhood with this crowd-pleasing dish!

Looking for more side dish ideas? Here are some popular recipes from the website:

Potatoes

Creamy Crack Potatoes

Creamy Crack Potatoes – creamy potatoes loaded with cheddar, bacon, and ranch! SO good! Frozen shredded hash browns, cheddar, bacon,…

Mac & Cheese

4-Cheese Mac & Cheese

4-Cheese Southern Mac and Cheese Recipe – so easy and it tastes AMAZING! No roux or white sauce! Simply boil…

Vegetables

Smothered Green Beans

Smothered Green Beans – canned green beans baked in bacon, brown sugar, butter, soy sauce, and garlic. This is the…

Side Dish

Dr Pepper Baked Beans

Dr Pepper Baked Beans Recipe – a quick and easy side dish that is a grilling hit. Pinto beans, kidney…

Recipe Print Recipe

The Best Grilled Chicken Thighs

Author: Plain Chicken

Yield: 6 people

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Chilling Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

The Best Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe – tender and juicy chicken that is bursting with flavor! Boneless thighs marinated in beer, BBQ seasoning, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, and garlic. Brace yourself for a flavor explosion!  Whether you're firing up the grill for a summertime cookout or simply looking to elevate your weeknight dinner, these grilled chicken thighs are a must-try.

Equipment:

• Grilling Tongs
• Cast Iron Grill Pan
• Charcoal Chimney Starter
• Mixing Bowls

Ingredients:

• 12 -oz beer
• 3 Tbsp barbecue dry rub
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 3- lb boneless skinless chicken thighs

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, whisk together beer, bbq dry rub, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
• Place boneless skinless chicken thighs in a large ziplock bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour and up to 24 hours.
• When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade. Pat the chicken dry with a clean paper towel.
• Prepare the grill and cook the chicken over direct heat, flipping once or twice, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165ºF.

Notes:

• You can use this marinade on any cut of chicken. Chicken thighs, chicken breasts, chicken tenderloins, or chicken drumsticks.
  • You can use boneless chicken thighs or bone-in chicken thighs.
  • Skinless chicken thighs or skin-on chicken thighs both work fine.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165ºF.
• Use any beer that you enjoy. I suggest a light beer so it doesn’t overpower the chicken.
• Brush the chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce before taking the chicken off the grill.
• I don’t have a grill. Can I cook the chicken inside? Yes! Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to the pan and cook for 2 or 3 minutes per side. Place the chicken on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 400ºF for approximately 10 minutes, until a meat thermometer reads 165ºF.
• Can I freeze grilled chicken? Yes! Place chicken in a large freezer bag. Prepare the marinade and pour it over the chicken. Store chicken in the freezer for up to 3 months.
  • When ready to cook the chicken, thaw in the refrigerator and cook as directed.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Plain Chicken

https://www.plainchicken.com/the-best-grilled-chicken-thighs/

All images and text © Plain Chicken, Inc.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @plainchicken or tag #plainchicken!

Steph