These grilled chicken thighs are coated in a zesty cilantro lime marinade, then cooked until golden brown. This grilled chicken recipe comes out juicy, tender and flavorful every time!
I’m all about grilling these days, and every weekend I cook up a batch of grilled vegetables and grilled chicken, like grilled chicken tenders, grilled chicken wings or these grilled chicken thighs.
When it comes to cooking on the grill, I often turn to a flavorful marinade to make my chicken extra delicious. These grilled chicken thighs feature a super easy marinade which takes just minutes to put together. Cook your chicken on a charcoal grill or indoor grill pan, then watch the rave reviews pour in!
Enjoy this dish with some of my favorite summer side dishes like grilled pineapple, Mexican corn salad, dill potato salad and grilled broccoli.
Grilled Chicken Thighs Ingredients
To make these grilled chicken thighs make sure you have boneless skinless chicken thighs, olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, lime zest, cilantro, lime juice, salt, black pepper and garlic. You will want some cilantro leaves and lime wedges to garnish the dish.
How Do You Make Grilled Chicken Thighs?
To make this grilled chicken thighs recipe, first make the marinade. In a large bowl whisk together olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, lime zest, chopped cilantro, lime juice, minced garlic, salt and black pepper. Place your chicken thighs in a large resealable bag and pour in the marinade. Refrigerate the chicken in the marinade for between 1 and 24 hours. Once the chicken is infused with flavor, grill up the chicken until cooked through. Let the chicken rest a bit after grilling, then slice and serve with a little cilantro and some lime wedges to garnish the dish.
Tips For The Perfect Grilled Chicken Thighs
- You can make the marinade made up to 8 hours before you plan to use it.
- It’s best to cook your chicken thighs over medium heat, as you don’t want the exterior to burn before the inside is cooked all the way through.
- Make sure you heat your chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Check the poultry with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken thigh.
- With this recipe you do not have to cook on indirect heat. As long as you cook with a medium heat your chicken with cook though without burning.
- I like to leave the chicken on the grill grates a little while and then turn the chicken 90 degrees to get nice grill marks on the chicken.
- You can enjoy your grilled chicken thighs over potatoes or rice, or make a double batch and use the leftovers in other recipes. I like to add diced grilled chicken to salads, pasta dishes and tacos.
- You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs if you prefer. Just be sure not to overcook your chicken breasts as they tend to dry out quicker than chicken thighs.
Quick Tip
Choose chicken thighs that are all about the same size and shape so that they’ll cook evenly.
Recipe FAQs
You can grill chicken thighs on medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side. Cook times will vary depending on the size of your thighs. A smaller chicken thigh can cook in as little as 5 minutes per side. A large thigh will take 8 minutes per side or possibly longer.
Grilled chicken will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days, which makes it great for meal prep.
The best way to tell that chicken is done is by using a cooking thermometer. You want to insert the probe of the thermometer in the thickest part of the thigh. Make sure to cook your chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. If you don’t have a thermometer, cook your chicken on medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side. When you cut into the chicken the center should firm and not rubbery. When cut, the juices in the chicken should be clear and not pink. If the chicken is rubbery or has pink juices cook it a little longer.
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Flavor Variations
This grilled chicken thighs recipe makes flavorful and delicious chicken as written; however, you can change the flavors to suit your own taste.
- Spices: You can increase the heat in your chicken by adding a little hot sauce or cayenne pepper to your marinade.
- Flavor: Add your favorite flavorings to the marinade like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder or Dijon mustard.
- Herbs: If you like herbs you can add a little chopped parsley, rosemary, thyme or oregano.
The marinade in this recipe infuses chicken with a wonderful sweet and savory cilantro lime flavor which you enhance by grilling the chicken. You’ll find yourself making this dish every week during the warmer months!
More Fabulous Grilling Recipes
Grilled Chicken Breast
1 hr 30 mins
Grilled Corn on the Cob
20 mins
Grilled Salmon with Garlic and Herbs
1 hr 25 mins
Grilled Chicken Kabobs
30 mins
Grilled Chicken Fajitas
1 hr 40 mins
Love This Recipe?
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Grilled Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 3 tablespoons cilantro leaves chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs in a bowl or resealable gallon sized bag.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the olive oil, brown sugar, soy sauce, lime zest, cilantro, lime juice, salt, pepper and garlic.
- Pour the marinade over the chicken. Marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours.
- Heat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium. Add the chicken in a single layer.
- Cook for 6-8 minutes per side, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165 degrees F.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with additional cilantro for garnish, then slice and serve.
Notes
- Choose chicken thighs that are all about the same size and shape so that they’ll cook evenly.
- You can make the marinade made up to 8 hours before you plan to use it.
- Make sure you heat your chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Check the poultry with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken thigh.
Delicious flavorful chicken that we loved! Thanks for the recipe!
Woooow…..Homemade!!! It’s the only thing that taste good!
I think I will look for these and try your recipe this weekend. Thank you for sharing!
I served these on brown rice and shredded cabbage! Perfect for us as we’re trying to eat healthy!
This recipe makes the most flavorful moist chicken! I make it all the time!
How long to cook inside oven
You can cook at 425 for 25-30 minutes!
Delicious and healthy! We all loved it!
Love all your recipes with chicken thighs! This was one of my favorites too! Can’t wait to enjoy this again tonight!
I love the lime in this and it’s also so quick and easy!
The marinade for this chicken is so flavorful! It’s totally going on repeat for the rest of the summer!
This chicken is fantastic. Thanks for the great recipe!
That chicken could not look any more perfect! Love the flavors!
The chicken was delicious! I doubled the sauce and placed it aside to drizzle it over the cooked chicken and our rice. The recipe was a hit with the family and they used all the extra sauce (I reduced the oil and added extra lime and lime zest)
Time to get the grill fired up! These chicken thighs look amazing I bet to come out with so much flavor. I can’t wait to throw them on the grill.
This looks incredibly delicious!
Absolutely love the flavors in the marinade! So delicious!
This Chicken looks so succulent and juicy mmm!
Oh wow, this chicken looks absolutely amazing!! I LOVE how flavorful it is!! YUM!
What a flavorful and easy recipe! A restaurant worthy dish, indeed; my family loved it and I will definitely be making this again later this week!
I love cooking with chicken thighs. They are so flavorful. I can’t wait to try these!
How delicious do these chicken look? I want to grab them off the screen. I love recipes that don’t cost you an arm and leg to make. Your pictures are stunning too!!!