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Savory Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

savory grilled BBQ chicken thighs - featured image
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Juicy, tender, and deeply flavorful chicken thighs grilled to perfection with a smoky paprika spice rub and tangy BBQ sauce. Perfect for easy summer BBQs and crowd-pleasing meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • BBQ sauce (tangy, vinegar-based recommended)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help skin crisp up.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine smoked paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper to make the spice rub.
  3. Drizzle olive oil over chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly.
  4. Rub the spice mixture all over each piece, including under the skin where possible. Let sit for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
  5. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375°F to 400°F). For charcoal grills, arrange coals for direct and indirect heat zones.
  6. Place chicken skin-side down over direct heat. Grill for 5-7 minutes until skin is crisp and golden.
  7. Flip chicken and move to indirect heat. Cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes.
  8. During the last 5 minutes, brush chicken thighs generously with BBQ sauce. Flip and baste again to build a glaze.
  9. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  10. Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If flare-ups occur, move chicken to indirect heat to avoid burning. Flip chicken only once or twice to keep skin crispy. Marinate spice rub overnight for deeper flavor. Boneless thighs require shorter cooking time (10-12 minutes). Oven roasting at 425°F for 25-30 minutes is a good alternative.

Nutrition

Keywords: BBQ chicken, grilled chicken thighs, summer BBQ, smoky chicken, easy chicken recipe, backyard grilling

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/savory-grilled-bbq-chicken-thighs-easy-recipe-for-perfect-summer-bbqs/