Mouthwatering BBQ Chicken Thighs (Printable version)

Juicy chicken thighs glazed with smoky barbecue sauce, grilled until tender and caramelized.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

→ Marinade & Sauce

02 - 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
05 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
06 - 2 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1 tsp onion powder
09 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
10 - 1/2 tsp salt
11 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for better seasoning adhesion.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
03 - Add chicken thighs to the bowl and toss thoroughly to coat evenly with the seasoning mixture. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor penetration.
04 - Preheat grill to medium-high heat (approximately 375-400°F) or preheat oven to 400°F if baking indoors.
05 - Place chicken thighs on the grill skin-side down. Grill for 6-7 minutes until skin begins to crisp. Flip and brush generously with BBQ sauce. Continue grilling for 25-30 minutes, turning and basting with additional BBQ sauce every 5-7 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 175°F and meat is cooked through with slight charring.
06 - For oven preparation, arrange marinated chicken thighs on a foil-lined baking sheet, skin-side up. Roast at 400°F for 30-35 minutes, brushing with BBQ sauce every 10 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 175°F and skin is caramelized.
07 - Remove chicken from heat and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Serve with additional BBQ sauce on the side if desired.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The skin gets incredibly crispy while the meat stays juicy and tender throughout
  • The homemade spice blend hits that perfect sweet and smoky balance every time
02 -
  • Rushing the marinade time makes a noticeable difference in flavor depth
  • Crowding the grill drops the temperature and prevents proper charring
03 -
  • Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly than cold from the fridge
  • Letting the sauce caramelize slightly on the grill creates those finger-licking moments

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