Easy Grilled Rooster Thighs are juicy, tender, and extremely simple, plus they do not require an armful of seasonings nor marinade. Hearth up the grill for this foolproof grilling recipe that is easy but craveable.
My husband is an distinctive griller and meat smoker. Do you wish to know the 2 seasonings he makes use of to get one of the best taste on grilled meats – particularly rooster and pork?
Garlic salt and pepper.
That’s it! I really like watching folks’s faces once they ask what he’s used to season the meat with, and his reply is so easy. They’re all the time shocked.
Grilling naturally imparts cravable taste to no matter’s on the grates. With rooster thighs particularly, you don’t want a cabinet filled with seasonings nor marinade that may doubtlessly burn to make them scrumptious and flavorful.
Seize a pack of boneless, skinless rooster thighs, plus a pair on a regular basis seasonings, and a smokey, scorching grilled dinner will likely be in your desk in minutes!
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Easy Grilled Rooster Thighs
Boneless skinless rooster thighs are certainly one of my favourite meats to grill for 3 causes:
- Idiot proof: boneless skinless rooster thighs are extraordinarily arduous to overcook. They’re thought of accomplished once they attain an inside temperature of 165 levels, however can go as much as 180-185 and nonetheless stay tender and juicy.
- Fast cooking: boneless rooster thighs prepare dinner rapidly on the grill – simply 3-5 minutes per aspect.
- Flavorful: rooster thighs are thought of darkish meat and comprise extra fats than rooster breasts. That means, they’re inherently extra flavorful and don’t require additional fuss within the type of a ton of seasonings or marinade.
Boneless vs Bone-In Rooster Thighs
This grilling recipe – or methodology, actually – is for boneless skinless rooster thighs, which could be grilled straight over medium-high warmth on both a charcoal or fuel grill.
To grill bone-in rooster thighs we’d have to create two warmth zones on the grill (like for my Grilled Pork Tenderloin). First we’d sear the outsides of the rooster thighs over medium-high warmth, then prepare dinner them low and sluggish over the unlit aspect.
Each are scrumptious however this grilling methodology is particularly for boneless, skinless thighs.
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What to Pair with Grilled Rooster Thighs
Grilled rooster thighs make for a fast and straightforward summer season dinner. Serve along with your favourite BBQ sauce or recent pesto then pair with Greatest Ever Pasta Salad, Cucumber and Tomato Salad, Baked Beans, Potato Salad, and/or Fruit Salad.
Grilled rooster thighs additionally maintain properly within the fridge for as much as 4 days, and can be utilized in quite a lot of methods. Maintain the rooster chilled or reheat within the air fryer then toss into:
- Tacos: chop the grilled thighs then reheat in a skillet with taco seasoning. Function grilled rooster tacos with all of the fixins.
- Wraps: layer strips of the chilled rooster with greens, hummus, and salad dressing (creamy or a French dressing) inside a tortilla then wrap and serve.
- Quesadillas: chop then use inside my BBQ Rooster Quesadillas.
- Salads: high any and all salads with chopped chilled grilled rooster thighs.
- Pasta Salads: toss into Rooster Caesar Salad Pasta, or your favourite chilled pasta salad recipe for a lift of protein.
Alrighty, fireplace up the grill and let’s get cooking!
Attempt Good Grilled Steak
How you can Grill Rooster Thighs
Step 1: Preheat and clear the grill.
Begin by preheating your fuel or charcoal grill over medium-high warmth. I wish to let the within of the grill get to not less than 400 levels then keep there for 5-10 minutes earlier than grilling.
It is a Massive Inexperienced Egg, although any charcoal or fuel grill will work. I’ve additionally made grilled rooster thighs indoors on a grill pan over excessive warmth many instances!
Grilling Tip
To stop your meat from sticking or burning, make sure to clear the grill grates first. You are able to do this both earlier than or after preheating. I rub a balled up piece of foil over the grates to take away any caught on meals.
Step 2: Trim then season the rooster thighs.
Whereas the grill is preheating, trim boneless skinless rooster thighs of additional pores and skin or fats. I discover a pair of sharp kitchen shears is one of the best and simplest way to do that.
Subsequent brush the tops with vegetable oil, or spray with nonstick spray, then season liberally with garlic salt and pepper. You possibly can after all use your favourite / go-to rooster seasoning for the grill as a substitute. Flip then brush and season the second aspect.
Recipe Tip
In order for you a bit of additional shade to your grilled rooster thighs, you’ll be able to add a really mild sprinkle of paprika as properly. Only a bit – we would like the colour, not essentially the flavour.
Step 3: Grill the rooster thighs.
Add the seasoned rooster thighs smooth-side-down on the new grates then shut the lid and grill for 3-5 minutes or till the thighs are opaque up and across the sides, and the rooster doesn’t stick while you try to flip it.
Grilling Tip
Remember to maintain the lid DOWN when grilling, in any other case you’ll lose all of your warmth!
Flip then grill for an additional 3-5 minutes with the lid down, or till the thickest a part of the rooster thighs learn not less than 165 levels as measured by a digital meat thermometer.
I wish to let thighs attain not less than 175 levels as a result of they really grow to be extra tender the upper the interior temperature.
Switch the grilled rooster thighs to a platter then cowl with foil and allow them to relaxation for not less than 5 minutes earlier than serving.
I hope you’re keen on these smokey, scorching, juicy, and tender thighs as a lot as we do. My mouth is likely to be watering only a bit proper now! 😉 Get pleasure from!
Extra Scorching Grilling Recipes
- 2-1/2 lbs boneless skinless rooster thighs, 8-10 medium-sized thighs
- garlic salt
- pepper
- paprika, non-obligatory, for shade
- canola or vegetable oil
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Warmth a fuel or charcoal grill over medium-high warmth till it reaches not less than 400 levels. Let the grill preheat for 5-10 minutes at this temperature to make sure the grates are very popular.
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Whereas the grill is preheating, trim the rooster thighs of extra pores and skin and fats then place them onto a platter or massive plate. Brush the tops with oil, or spray with nonstick spray, then season with garlic salt, pepper, and a small quantity of paprika if desired for shade. Flip the rooster thighs over then brush with oil and season the second aspect with garlic salt and pepper.
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Place the rooster thighs smooth-side-down on the grates then shut the lid and grill for 3-5 minutes or till the rooster is opaque up and across the sides, grill marks seem on the bottoms, and the rooster doesn’t persist with the grates while you try to flip it over.
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Shut the lid then grill on the second aspect for an additional 3-5 minutes or till a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest a part of the thigh reads 165 levels – I like them extra round 175 levels. Observe: boneless skinless rooster thighs could be cooked as much as 180-185 levels and nonetheless stay tender, so there’s some wiggle room right here. Take away the rooster to a platter then cowl with foil and let relaxation for not less than 5 minutes earlier than serving.
- Be at liberty to make use of your favourite grilling seasoning mix as a substitute of merely garlic salt and pepper.
- You should use a grill pan over excessive warmth to grill the rooster thighs as a substitute of a fuel or charcoal grill.
- Be certain your grates are clear earlier than grilling to keep away from sticking and burning. I like to make use of a chunk of balled up foil to rub the grates till they’re clear (grill brushes could be arduous to scrub and depart behind bristles).
- Boneless skinless rooster thighs can come in numerous sizes. In case your thighs are smaller or bigger than 4-5 per pound, modify the grilling time accordingly.
Energy: 270kcal, Protein: 44g, Fats: 9g, Saturated Fats: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g, Monounsaturated Fats: 3g, Trans Fats: 0.04g, Ldl cholesterol: 215mg, Sodium: 202mg, Potassium: 556mg, Vitamin A: 54IU, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 2mg
Dietary values are estimates solely. Please learn our full vitamin info disclaimer.
Photographs by Ashley McLaughlin