My honey bourbon BBQ grilled chicken thighs are a delicious combination of sweet and spicy! They are perfect for summertime backyard grilling. I’m talking juicy, tender, and fall-off-the-bone delicious-all wrapped together!
Marinating and grilling chicken can be intimidating, but not with my bourbon-grilled chicken thighs. I made this recipe simple and beginner-friendly. I’m pretty confident about it. You may have a lot of the ingredients on hand. The prep time takes about 5 minutes. I used bone-in chicken thighs, but don’t be afraid to experiment with the skinless, boneless ones.
Reasons To Make
Ingredients For Grilled Chicken Thighs
Olive Oil—I used a mixture of ingredients that pair well with the oil, giving you your own signature marinade.
Chicken Thighs- Bone-in is my go-to, but if boneless is all you have, go for it.
Store Bought Sauce- this is all that you will need—no need for the extra steps.
Seasonings- I use simple spices. With the sauce, you won’t need a whole lot.
How To Make Grilled Chicken Thighs
Clean and pat your meat dry. This step is essential.
Get ready to marinate your chicken thighs by adding them to a bowl with olive oil, minced garlic, soy sauce, and lemon juice for 30 minutes or longer. Make sure to cover the bowl.
Remove from marinade and season front and back.
Preheat the charcoal grill to medium heat. Don’t let it get too hot; around 350 degrees will work.
Add your meat and allow it to cook for 7 minutes.
Once done, begin basting your chicken with the store-bought BBQ sauce mixed with honey. Allow it to cook for another 5 minutes.
Flip on the opposite side and add more sauce. Allow to cook for another 5 minutes.
Repeat one last time for a total of 20 minutes.
Variations/Substitutions
If you don’t have olive oil on hand, you can use any other type of oil, such as grape seed or avocado oil.
Try switching up the sauce and adding teriyaki or no sauce, like my delicious baked chicken thighs.
Make it medium- or high-spiciness by adding Cajun or creole seasoning.
If you have a smoker, you can always smoke them just as you would grill.
Grilled Chicken Thighs Pairs Well
My cast-iron Mac and cheese will give this grill-charred chicken a new meaning. Try another side, such as my jiffy cornbread or my baked spaghetti.
Honey bourbon chicken thighs
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken Thighs
- 1/4 Cup Honey
- 1/4 Cup Bourbon BBQ Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Soy sauce
- 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic Minced
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice
- 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Black pepper
- 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
Instructions
- To a bowl add chicken, along with the other ingredients. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes or overnight.4 Chicken Thighs, 2 Tablespoons Soy sauce, 1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic, 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice, 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
- Remove from marinade and and season your chicken front to back.1/2 Teaspoon Black pepper, 1/4 Teaspoon Salt, 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
- Preheat the charcoal grill to medium heat. Don't allow the grill to get too hot. Around 350 degrees will work.
- Spray the grill with nonstick spray, add your chicken thighs, and allow it to cook for 7 minutes.
- In a bowl, whisk together the honey and bourbon BBQ sauce.1/4 Cup Honey
- Once done, begin basting your chicken with the BBQ sauce mixed with honey. Allow it to cook for another 5 minutes.1/4 Cup Bourbon BBQ Sauce
- Flip on the opposite side and add more sauce. Allow to cook for another 5 minutes.
- Repeat one last time for a total of 20 minutes.
