Chicken thighs haven’t always received the respect they deserve. For years, many of us reached for boneless, skinless breasts, treating dark meat as a second-class citizen. My, how times have changed!

Today, we Americans have caught on to what grill masters around the world have long known: chicken thighs deliver deeper flavor, stay juicy over the fire, and represent one of the few remaining bargains at the supermarket.

Talk about versatile! Chicken thighs turn up in everything from Jamaican-inspired dishes to Japanese yakitori. A boneless chicken thigh is great for stuffing with herbs, ham, cheese, sausage, and more.

Bone-in chicken thighs take longer to cook than boneless, skinless breasts. They’re also fattier, so you need to be mindful of flare-ups. Yes, you can direct-grill bone-in, skin-on thighs (work over moderate heat), but our preferred method is to indirect-grill them at a high enough temperature (that would be 400°F) to render the fat and crisp the skin.

Here’s how to grill bone-in, boneless, skin-on, and skinless chicken thighs, including the best cooking times and temperatures—and a few of our secrets for keeping the meat juicy and the skin crisp.

Choosing Your Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are sold bone-in or boneless and with or without the skin. For classic grilled chicken thighs, we prefer skin-on—preferably bone-in. Among bone-in chicken pieces, thighs give you a generous portion of meat for the money, while the skin turns crisp and flavorful when grilled properly.

Boneless, skinless thighs cook more quickly and are a good choice for satays, yakitori, kebabs or other preparations where the chicken will be cut into smaller pieces.

The important thing is to match the grilling method to the type of thigh. Cook bone-in, skin-on thighs with indirect heat. Smaller pieces of boneless, skinless thigh should be direct-grilled over a hot fire.

Preparing the Thighs and the Grill

Brining the chicken before grilling will make the thighs even more succulent. For a wet brine, combine 2 tablespoons of coarse salt with 1 cup of warm water, then add a tray of ice cubes. Once the brine is cold, submerge the thighs and refrigerate for 1 hour.

For skin-on thighs, we prefer a dry brine. Sprinkle the thighs on both sides with about 1 teaspoon of coarse salt per pound of chicken, then refrigerate them uncovered for at least 4 hours. This seasons the meat while helping the skin dry out for a crisper finish.

Before grilling, trim off any large pieces of loose skin or excess fat, but leave enough skin to cover and protect the meat. Pat the thighs thoroughly dry. If you haven’t brined the thighs, now’s the time to apply your favorite barbecue rub or seasonings. Of course, we’re partial to one of Steven Raichlen’s barbecue rubs or seasoning blends.

Set up the grill for indirect grilling and preheat it to 375^° to 400^°F. On a charcoal grill, arrange the coals on opposite sides of the firebox and leave the center free of direct heat. On a gas grill, light the outside burners and set them to medium, leaving the center burner off. Close the lid and adjust the burners as needed to maintain a temperature of 375^° to 400^°F. Clean and oil the grill grate before adding the chicken.

How to Grill Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs

Arrange the thighs skin side up in the center of the grill grate, away from the heat. Replace the lid and grill for about 45 minutes. There is no need to turn the thighs while they cook.

Begin checking for doneness after 35 minutes. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh without touching the bone. Chicken is safe to eat at 165^°F, but we prefer to cook thighs to 175^° to 185^°F. At this higher temperature, the connective tissue breaks down, and the dark meat becomes especially tender.

If the chicken is done but the skin needs additional crisping, move the thighs briefly over direct heat, skin side down. Watch them closely and return them to the indirect zone at the first sign of flare-ups.

Transfer the thighs to a platter and let them rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

How to Grill Boneless Chicken Thighs

Boneless, skinless thighs cook much faster than bone-in thighs. Open them flat and grill over medium-high direct heat for 5 to 7 minutes per side, until nicely browned and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F. Because their thickness can vary, check each thigh individually with an instant-read thermometer.

Smaller pieces cook even faster. Steven’s Moroccan Chicken Kebabs, for example, use 1/2-inch cubes of boneless thigh grilled over high heat for about 3 minutes per side.

Stuffed or rolled boneless thighs are the exception. Their greater thickness makes them better suited to indirect grilling with the lid closed.

Chicken Thigh Grilling at a Glance

Preferred cut: Bone-in, skin-on thighs for moist meat and crisp, flavorful skin.
Grill setup: Two-zone fire for bone-in thighs; direct heat for boneless, skinless thighs.
Grill temperature: 375^° to 400^°F for bone-in, skin-on thighs.
Bone-in cooking time: About 45 minutes over indirect heat.
Boneless cooking time: About 5 to 7 minutes per side over medium-high direct heat.
Small thigh pieces: About 3 minutes per side over high direct heat.
Internal temperature: Chicken is safe at 165^°F, but we prefer bone-in thighs cooked to 175^° to 185^°F for more tender dark meat.
Rest time: About 5 minutes before serving.

Saucing Chicken Thighs and Avoiding Common Mistakes

If you’re using a barbecue sauce—especially one containing sugar—brush it on during the final few minutes of grilling. Applying it too early can cause the sauce to burn before the chicken is cooked through. Brush the thighs lightly, give the sauce a minute or two to set, and serve additional sauce on the side.

A few other mistakes can stand between you and great grilled chicken thighs:

Starting with wet skin: Pat the thighs dry so the skin can brown and crisp.

Cooking skin-on thighs entirely over direct heat: Dripping fat can cause flare-ups and scorch the chicken before the inside is done.

Walking away during the final crisping: If you move the thighs over direct heat, stay close. The skin can go from crisp to burned quickly.

Relying on time or color alone: Grills and chicken thighs vary. Use an instant-read thermometer to determine when they’re done rather than cutting into the meat.

Chicken Thigh Recipes to Try

More Chicken Grilling Guides

• How to Grill Perfect Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts
• Your Guide to Grilling Crispy Chicken Wings
• Smoke-Roasted Chicken Drumsticks: Tips and Recipe

The post Crispy, Juicy, and Flame-Kissed: The Secrets to Grilled Chicken Thighs appeared first on Barbecuebible.com.

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The post Hot Honey Chicken Drumsticks | Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Hot Honey Glaze first appeared on Flavor Quotient.