By Becky Hardin
Published May 12, 2023
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!
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.
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!
Ingredients1x2x3x
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
Video
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
Equipment
- Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
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 is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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.
More Grilled Chicken Recipes We Love
- Grilled Marinated Chicken Breast
- Grilled Chicken Wings
- Huli Huli Chicken
- Beer Can Chicken
- Grilled BBQ Chicken
- See all of our Grilled Chicken Recipes !
Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe
Equipment
- Grill or Indoor Grill Pan
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
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
Video
Notes
- 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
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
