Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These grilled boneless chicken thighs are juicy, tender and full of flavor. Their easy prep makes them perfect for outdoor entertaining. Serve them with anything you like!
If you are looking for an easy marinade for grilled chicken thighs, then you are at the right place. This simple blend of every-day ingredients adds a ton of flavor to the meat and when grilled to perfection, it turns these grilled boneless chicken thighs into a finger-licking dinner.
My recommendations for side dishes would definitely be Greek salad or cucumber tomato salad, Parmesan roasted potatoes or garlic smashed potatoes. But the best side dish is the one you like so if you have a favorite one, go ahead and make it!
How to make grilled boneless chicken thighs
First, get a bowl that is large enough to hold all the thighs. You can also use a Ziploc bag, if you like.
Then, add the ingredients for the marinade and mix well.
For these grilled boneless chicken thighs, I made a simple marinade with paprika, garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil and finely chopped parsley.
Then, add the thighs in and coat them in the mixture. Make sure all the thighs are well coated before covering the bowl with cling film or closing the Ziploc bag.
Let the meat rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before grilling. The longer you leave it in the fridge the better.
You can also make the prep for these chicken thighs ahead of time and marinate the meat overnight, if you like.
How long to grill boneless chicken thighs?
It takes about 10-12 minutes for these boneless chicken thighs to be ready. Now bear in mind that the time may vary slightly. This will depend on how thick the pieces are and also, on your grill.
If in doubt, please use a food thermometer to check if the thighs are ready. The internal temperature has to reach 165°F (75°C). Always make sure you check the thickest part of the meat.
Tips for making grilled boneless chicken thighs
Marinade – at first, it may seem to you that there is not enough marinade. However, this amount is plenty for 1.5 up to 1.8 pounds (800 grams) of thighs. This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled, if needed!
Make sure to use all the ingredients for the marinade – there are only a few of them so it’s important to follow the recipe for the best flavors.
Marinating – even though the prep takes literally minutes, you can still make it ahead and keep the meat in the fridge overnight. Also, the longer you marinate, the more intense the flavor.
To keep the thighs warm until ready for serving wrap them in a tin foil (aluminum foil).
If the grilling season is over but you still would like to enjoy these grilled thighs, throw them onto an electric indoor grill (also a panini press might do the trick)!
More recipes for grilling
- Grilled Turkey Kabobs
- Yogurt Marinated Grilled Chicken
- Honey Lemon Grilled Chicken
- Grilled Whole Fish
- Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables
Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
Recommended Products
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl (or a Ziploc bag), combine paprika, crushed garlic cloves, finely chopped parsley, salt, pepper and olive oil. Give everything a good mix.
- Add the chicken thighs and coat each one of them with the mixture. Make sure they are all well coated before covering the bowl with cling film (or locking the Ziploc bag). Refrigerate them for at least 30 minutes before grilling.
- Grill on both sides until they are nice brown and cooked through (see note 4).
- Best served right away!
Notes
- Paprika – either smoked or sweet can be used.
- I used 4 garlic cloves which was about 1 tablespoon of crushed/pressed garlic. It was the perfect amount but every garlic is different so you might like to adjust this the next time you make the marinade.
- Parsley – I use about 4 tablespoons of finely chopped parsley, but you can use slightly less or more, if you like.
- The time does not include marinating – count with at least 30 minutes.
- Please note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the thighs you use and on the heat in your grill. If not sure, always check with the food thermometer first. Mine were ready in about 10-12 minutes.
- I used skinless chicken thighs. You can also use thighs with skin. If you do, I recommend grilling them the skin-side down first.
I made these boneless, skinless chicken thighs to celebrate the start of the May 24 Weekend! (Victoria Day weekend here in Canada). I don’t usually bbq., but thought I would give this recipe a try. They turned out so amazing, I can hardly believe I made them. I bbq’d them at 300 degrees for 15 minutes until they were ever so lightly charred. Omg so juicy and delicious. Thank you for this fabulous marinade recipe. It’s a keeper for sure! Served with steamed, fresh in season asparagus and carrots.
Thank you so much for your feedback, Yvette! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed them :)
I tried this recipe and it was fabulous. I marinated for 24 hours. Was so juicy. Thanks for recipe. Will be doing this on camping trips.
Thank you so much for your feedback, Melanie. Hope you try a few more grilling recipes from our blog :)
Fabulous and delicious chicken thighs! So easy to prep and grill – I let mine marinade in the fridge overnight. I used 1 TB. each smoked and regular paprika and 2 tsp. minced garlic (from a jar).
Thanks a lot for your feedback, Diane T. Happy Grilling! :)
This is soooo good and pairs great with made from scratch guacamole. Definitely marinate, totally worth it!
I am happy to hear you enjoyed this, Kara. Thanks so much for your feedback and rating!
We usually grill out bone in thighs through a mix-up at the store had the boneless & skinless instead. Yours was the first recipe i found and i’m so glad i did. I followed your recipe to the letter, except for putting in some extra garlic, and everything came out PERFECT! Thank you!
Thank you so much for your feedback, Kris! It means a lot :) Happy grilling!
Was nervous of the thickness of marinade, added a teaspoon of water just because, very juicy flavorable I printed to add to my big book of do again recipes.
That’s so good to hear, Ed. Thank you for your feedback!
The grilling season is over so can I bake them in the oven or air fryer?
Yes, you can. You will have to adjust the time and temperature though.
Everyone loved this simple recipe!
Thanks so much for your feedback, Kitty!
Am I overlooking a recommended grill temp? 350 I assume?
Hi Shannon, I use a simple grill that does not have any temperature setting. However, I suggest somewhere between 350-375 Fahrenheit. The cooking time will depend on the temperature, so please make sure the thighs are cooked through. Happy grilling!
Could you use fresh rosemary instead of parsley? Or will that drastically alter the flavor?
Hi Mike. You could give it a go. I would probably chop it very finely and add only a little as it is quite flavorful itself. Then, next time you will see if it works or if more is needed. Hope this helps.
So delicious and easy. Thank you.
You are welcome, Candy! :)
Great recipe! I used smoked paprika and we grilled the chicken on a BQQ. It was so moist and flavorful. The garlic was roasted and crisp. We have enjoyed it many times.
Thank you for finding time to leave comment and rating, Nancy. It’s always good to hear when our readers enjoy our recipes. Happy grilling!
Can you use this recipe with boneless skinless chicken breast?
Hi Emily. I highly recommend using thighs as chicken breasts tend to dry out easily. They would also need way longer on a grill. You could try wrapping them in aluminum foil and bake them in the oven instead. If you wanted to use grill, then I would too use the aluminum foil. Hope this helps.
Making this again tonight. Made it for a Dad’s day bbq and I didn’t get any but everyone Loved it. Can’t wait to try tonight. I used smoke paprika and dried chives ( instead of parsley) Thank you for the recipe
You are welcome, Beth! Happy grilling! :)
Made this for dinner tomight. So easy and tasty! Will definitely make again. Served with grilled veggies.
Yay! :) Thanks for your feedback, Donna!
I made this marinade for my boneless chicken thighs last night and it was a win! Everyone ate it up and my son requested it for dinner again tonight! This is a nice, simple and super yummy marinade to have! Thanks!
Thanks a lot for your feedback, Paula. Hope you try some other grilling recipes I have on the blog.
I am so glad I came across this receipe! We have made it several times. We even took it camping and it was amazing cooked over a camp fire! Thank you so much for sharing this one!
You are welcome, Carie :) Thanks so much for your feedback!
so do you close the grill or leave it open?
Hi Crystal. Either way is fine! It depends what you like. If you close the grill, it will cook a bit faster, but might not have the char. These grilled chicken thighs were cooked without a lid, as mine does not have one. Hope this helps!
I was wondering what temp you used to grill the chicken thighs that have paprika. Thank you.
I am not sure what the temperature would be as I only use a charcoal grill. However, I would go with about 400 Fahrenheit (200 Celsius). It’s best to check them – if they don’t start burning about 2 minutes into cooking, it’s should be a good indicator that the temp is not too high. Hope this helps.
This came out so amazing! My husband grilled it not knowing what was even on it. He tasted it once it came of the grill and was amazed at how good. I only marinated for 30 mins also so would just get better the longer you have to marinade!
Thanks so much for your feedback! We love this simple marinade so it’s always good to hear when our readers love it too :)