Grilling Chicken Thighs Made Easy

Feb 9, 2025

Beginner's Guide to Grilling Chicken Thighs

Introduction

  • Presenter: Ryan from Grill Top Experience
  • Focus: Easy, replicable recipes for grilling chicken thighs
  • Benefits: Teaches fire management, forgiving meat, enjoyable learning process

Two Recipes Overview

  1. Long preparation for perfect flavor
  2. Quick recipe for short time using a gas grill

Gas Grill Recipe

Setup

  • Most common grill in America
  • Setup for indirect heat using a three-burner grill: higher heat on the outside, lower heat in the middle

Preparation

  • Trim extra skin and large fat chunks from chicken thighs
  • Use preferred barbecue rub (e.g., ChickaLicka Bam Bam) and add salt if necessary
  • Coat chicken with oil to prevent sticking

Cooking Process

  • Place chicken over the low burner to avoid flare-ups
  • Aim for a dome temperature of around 400°F (205°C)
  • Turn chicken to prevent sticking
  • Use an instant-read thermometer ($20-30) to check each thigh, aiming for 175°F
  • Turn up heat and place chicken skin side down for extra crispy skin

Tips

  • Check each piece: size affects cooking rate
  • Probe into meat center, away from bones
  • Overcooking slightly is okay

Kettle Grill Recipe

Setup and Preparation

  • Use charcoal and real wood for flavor (requires more time and investment)
  • Marinate chicken for enhanced flavor and tenderness (e.g., shoyu chicken)
  • Trim chicken as necessary

Marinating Process

  • Use Aloha Shoyu or similar soy sauce
  • Marinate for 8 hours or overnight (2 hours for boneless skinless thighs)

Cooking Process

  • Use three quarters of a chimney of lit charcoal on one side for hot and warm zones
  • Close vents by half for temperature control
  • Place chicken on cooler side to avoid flare-ups
  • Avoid smoking at 225°F to prevent gummy skin
  • Cook at higher temperature over charcoal and wood for smoke flavor and crispy skin

Final Steps

  • Once almost at 175°F, place thighs over fire for char and skin rendering
  • Watch closely to prevent burning
  • Return to indirect side until 175°F

Conclusion

  • Learned two methods for grilling chicken thighs
  • Encouragement to subscribe for more tips
  • Positive feedback on taste