Recipes / Grilled Poultry

Direct-Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs
Free Recipe

Direct-Grilled Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

Bone-in, skin-on thighs are the most forgiving cut on the grill, and a simple lemon-garlic marinade gives them bright, juicy flavor with crackling skin. This is the recipe to start with if you have never grilled chicken before.

Prep15 min
Cook25 min
Total40 min
ServingsServes 4
DifficultyEasy
Rating★ 4.0

Why You'll Love This

  • Beginner-proof cut that stays juicy even if slightly overcooked
  • Bright, simple marinade with pantry staples
  • Crispy skin without a smoker or fancy equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lemon, cut into wedges, for serving
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for serving

Method

  1. In a large bowl or zip-top bag, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add the chicken thighs, turn to coat completely, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
  3. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 20 minutes before grilling so it is not ice cold when it hits the grate.
  4. Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium heat, about 375 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and clean the grates with a grill brush.
  5. Lightly oil the grates using a folded paper towel dipped in oil and held with tongs to help prevent sticking.
  6. Place the thighs skin side down over direct heat and close the lid; grill for 6 to 8 minutes without moving them so the skin can render and crisp.
  7. Flip the thighs once the skin is golden brown and releases easily from the grates; if it is sticking, it is not ready to flip yet.
  8. Continue grilling for another 10 to 12 minutes, flipping once more if flare-ups occur, until the skin is deeply browned all over.
  9. Move any thighs that are browning too fast to a cooler part of the grill to finish cooking without burning.
  10. Check doneness with an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, away from the bone; it must read 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  11. Rest the chicken on a plate, tented loosely with foil, for 5 minutes so the juices redistribute instead of spilling out when cut.
  12. Squeeze fresh lemon wedges over the top, scatter with chopped parsley, and serve warm.

Tips

  • Do not press down on the chicken with a spatula; this squeezes out the juices and dries out the meat.
  • If flames flare up from dripping fat, move the chicken to indirect heat for a minute rather than closing the vents completely.
Nutrition (estimated per serving)
Calories: 380
Protein: 32g
Fat: 27g
Carbs: 2g
Fiber: 0g
Sodium: 620mg

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