These juicy Grilled Chicken Thighs are made with the most delicious, sweet, and spicy chicken thigh seasoning. Grab a few things from your spice cabinet, including brown sugar, paprika, and chili powder, and then cook the perfect chicken thighs on the grill in about 20 minutes!
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What’s in Chicken Thighs on the Grill?
Chicken thighs are coated in a sweet, savory, and slightly smoky spice blend that goes well with any and every style of cuisine. Get the grill out for summer and make this recipe in just 20 minutes!
- Chicken: Thighs are perfectly juicy for grilling! We like bone-in, skin-on for maximum moisture retention and flavor.
- Brown Sugar: Adds just a touch of sweetness to the thigh seasoning, and helps the chicken to brown beautifully.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors of the spices.
- Chili Powder: Adds just a touch of heat.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds smokiness and enhances that fresh-from-the-grill flavor. If you don’t have smoked paprika, regular will also work.
- Cumin: Earthy, warm, and slightly citrusy.
- Onion Powder: Adds super-concentrated onion flavor.
- Garlic Powder: Adds super-concentrated garlic flavor.
- Oregano: Adds an herbal, peppery flavor.
Variations on Grilled Chicken Seasoning
We think this grilled chicken thigh seasoning is absolutely perfect as is! However, if you’re looking to change it up a bit, there are a few things you can try. If you’re watching your sugar or sodium, you can leave out the sugar and/or salt, but the rub won’t be as flavorful.
To make it a bit spicier, add more chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper. You could also try using ground coriander instead of cumin for a slightly different flavor profile! And this dry rub is so versatile, great to use on seasoned chicken breast or Air Fryer chicken thighs as well.
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How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover grilled chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet in a 400°F oven for about 15 minutes.
You can also make up a batch (doubled, tripled, or more) of the chicken thigh seasoning ahead of time, and store it in an airtight container, Jair, or resealable bag. Store it in your spice cabinet or pantry until you’re ready to use it.
How to Freeze
Freeze chicken thighs in an airtight container or Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
These seasoned grilled chicken thighs go well with just about anything you can think of! We love to serve them with a starch and a veggie. They’re perfect with creamy mashed potatoes or quick mac and cheese. Add a vegetable, like roasted Brussels sprouts or air fryer broccoli for a balanced meal. They’re also delicious sliced on top of a fresh salad!
Notes from the Test Kitchen
Tender, juicy, bone-in chicken thighs are made so flavorful with this unique chicken thigh seasoning blend. We start with sugar and salt, then add chili powder and smoked paprika to enhance that just-grilled flavor, and cumin, onion powder, and garlic powder for warmth. Finish it off with some fragrant dried oregano, and you’ve got one succulent seasoning!
Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe
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Ingredients
For the Chicken Thigh Seasoning
- 1½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
For Grilling
- 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- Lime wedges optional, for serving
- Chopped fresh cilantro optional, for serving
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
For the Chicken Thigh Seasoning
- Combine the brown sugar, salt, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, and oregano in a small bowl.1½ tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon dried oregano
For Grilling
- Heat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400-450°F).
- Rub the seasoning and olive oil over the chicken thighs to evenly coat.2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- Place the chicken on the grill and grill for around 8-10 minutes total, flipping the chicken halfway through.
- Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges.Lime wedges, Chopped fresh cilantro
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- If you’d like to use boneless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts), you’ll need to reduce the cooking time.
- To prevent sticking, grease the grill plates with an oiled paper towel before adding the chicken.
- Properly cooked chicken should read 165°F internally.
- Let the chicken thighs rest for 5-10 minutes before enjoying to lock in the juices.
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
Nutrition Information
How to Make Grilled Chicken Thighs Step by Step
Make the Seasoning: Combine 1½ tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon of ground cumin, ½ teaspoon of onion powder, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon of dried oregano in a small bowl.
Season the Chicken: Heat the grill to medium-high heat (about 400-450°F). Rub the seasoning and 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil over 2 pounds of bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs to evenly coat.
Grill the Chicken: Place the chicken on the grill and grill for around 8-10 minutes total, flipping the chicken halfway through. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Chicken thighs take about 10 minutes to cook on the grill.
You should grill chicken thighs over medium-high heat, or about 400-450°F.
To grill chicken thighs without drying them out, grill them quickly, for about 4-5 minutes per side. If they haven’t reached 165°F yet, move them to a cooler part of the grill to finish cooking. This will ensure they remain juicy!
You should only need to flip the thighs once during the grilling process.
Yes! To make these thighs in the oven, place the thighs in an even layer on an oven-safe grill pan and bake in a 425°F oven for about 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. To get that extra char, you can broil the thighs for 2-3 minutes at the end of the cook time.
I just put this on my grill and it instantly caught fire at 400. I shut the lid and turned grill off. I burned my arm trying to open grill to get chicken off.
Hi Mary, it sounds like either too much oil on the chicken or a buildup of grease in/on your grill. We recommend regular cleaning and maintenance of your grill to keep it safe!
This recipe calls for bone in, skin on chicken thighs. You obviously used boneless skinless in this recipe. Wish I would have known before going to the grocery store.
Hi Joan, we tested this recipe both ways, and it works beautifully with either!
Great quick rub for boneless skinless thighs. Not too spicy for my kid but plenty of flavor. Worked great on the grill.
So glad to hear this recipe was loved by all!
Do you coat the chicken with olive oil first then the seasoning? Or season then oil?
It doesn’t matter what order. You could even mix the oil with the spices, then rub the chicken!
This was delicious! I will definitely make it again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Sara!