Boneless chicken thighs are a juicy and tender cut of meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways. Whether you're grilling, baking, or oven-broiling, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure your chicken is cooked to perfection. Firstly, it's important to marinate your chicken to infuse it with flavour. This can be done for as little as 30 minutes, but leaving it overnight will result in a more intense flavour. When it comes to cooking, the internal temperature of the chicken is the best indicator of doneness. Aim for an internal temperature of 165-175°F, and you'll have perfectly cooked, juicy chicken thighs every time.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Prep Time | 5-15 minutes |
Cook Time | 10-15 minutes |
Total Time | 15-27 minutes |
Marinade Time | 30 minutes to overnight |
Internal Temperature | 165-175°F |
Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Weight | 1.5-2 pounds |
Number of Chicken Thighs | 6-12 |
What You'll Learn
Marinade ingredients and prep
A good chicken thigh marinade needs a combination of salt, spice, sweet, acid, and umami. Here are some ideas for ingredients to create a delicious marinade for your boneless chicken thighs.
Savory Herb Marinade
This marinade is a blend of fresh herbs, garlic, olive oil, lemon, and seasonings.
- Olive oil
- Brown sugar
- Soy sauce
- Lemon zest
- Garlic
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh thyme
- Pepper
Spicy Marinade
If you like a little heat, add crushed red pepper flakes or hot sauce to taste.
Sweet and Tangy Marinade
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Dijon mustard
- Cumin
- Cayenne pepper
- Lime juice and zest
Simple Marinade
- Olive oil
- Brown sugar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Dijon mustard
- Soy sauce
- Lemon pepper seasoning
- Dried rosemary
- Garlic
BBQ Marinade
- BBQ sauce
- Garlic
- Olive oil
- Chili powder
- Smoked paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
Prep
Place all the ingredients in a large bowl or a freezer bag. Mix well. Add the chicken thighs and allow them to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. When you're ready to cook the chicken, remove it from the marinade and shake off any excess.
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Cooking methods
There are several ways to cook boneless chicken thighs, including grilling, baking, and broiling. Here is a detailed description of each method:
Grilling
Grilling is a popular method for cooking boneless chicken thighs, especially during the summer barbecue season. The key to grilling boneless chicken thighs is to ensure they are cooked through without burning. Here are the steps to follow:
- Prepare a marinade with ingredients such as olive oil, lemon juice, honey, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Combine the marinade and chicken thighs in a sealable bag or container and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 12 hours.
- Preheat the grill to a temperature between 325°F and 400°F.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and place it on the grill grates.
- Grill the chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side, keeping the grill cover closed to maintain the heat.
- Use a digital thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 3-4 minutes before slicing and serving.
Baking
Baking is another option for cooking boneless chicken thighs. This method involves marinating the chicken and then baking it in the oven. Here are the steps:
- Prepare a marinade or dry rub with spices such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, oregano, and thyme, and combine it with olive oil.
- Wash and pat dry the chicken thighs, then place them in a sealable bag or container.
- Add the marinade or dry rub to the chicken, seal, and refrigerate for 1-24 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the chicken on a baking sheet with a wire rack and bake for about 20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 170-175°F.
Broiling
Broiling is often used as a final step after baking to add a caramelized glaze to the chicken. Here's how to do it:
- Brush BBQ sauce on top of the baked chicken thighs.
- Set the oven to broil and broil for about 5 minutes or until the BBQ sauce is caramelized.
Timing and Temperature
Regardless of the cooking method, it is important to ensure that the chicken thighs are cooked to the proper temperature. The internal temperature of the chicken thighs should reach 165-175°F. The timing will depend on the cooking method and the thickness of the chicken thighs, but it typically ranges from 10 to 20 minutes.
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Cooking times
The cooking time for boneless chicken thighs will depend on the temperature of the grill or oven, the thickness of the chicken, and whether you are using a marinade.
If you are using a marinade, it is recommended that you leave the chicken to absorb the flavours for at least 30 minutes, or up to 12 hours. Leaving it overnight will give the best results, but remember that lemon juice in the marinade may start to break down the chicken.
When grilling, the temperature of the grill should be between 325°F and 350°F. Boneless chicken thighs will take around 5-6 minutes to cook on each side. You can tell when the chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. It is recommended that you let the chicken rest for 3-4 minutes after cooking, to allow the juices to redistribute and keep the meat moist.
If you are cooking boneless chicken thighs in the oven, they will take around 20 minutes to cook at 400°F. Again, the chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
If you are cooking bone-in chicken thighs, the cooking time will be longer. On the grill, they will take around 10 minutes to cook on each side. In the oven, they will take between 40 and 45 minutes to cook at 400°F.
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Chicken temperature
When cooking boneless chicken thighs, it is important to ensure that they are cooked to the right internal temperature. The recommended internal temperature for cooked chicken thighs varies slightly depending on the source, with some suggesting 165 °F, others 170–175 °F, and one source recommending a minimum of 175 °F.
Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure that the chicken is cooked properly. The thermometer should be inserted into the thickest part of the meat, away from any bone. It is also important to let the meat rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring the chicken is moist and juicy.
On the Grill
When cooking boneless chicken thighs on a grill, the grill temperature should be set to medium, around 325–350 °F. At this temperature, the chicken thighs will take about 10–14 minutes to cook, depending on their size. If you are using a hotter grill (375–400 °F), the cooking time will be shorter, around 10–12 minutes in total.
In the Oven
When cooking boneless chicken thighs in the oven, a higher temperature is used, typically around 400 °F. At this temperature, the chicken thighs will take about 20 minutes to cook.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve grilled boneless chicken thighs. Here are some suggestions:
Salads
- Greek salad
- Cucumber and tomato salad
- Blueberry walnut salad
- Spinach strawberry salad with balsamic poppy seed dressing
- Tossed salad for a crowd
- Chicken Caesar salad
- Grilled corn salad
- Kale salad with cranberries and almonds
- Greek quinoa salad
- Chicken macaroni salad
- Orzo pasta salad
- Farro salad
- Potato salad with bacon and eggs
- BLT pasta salad
Rice
- Rice bowl
- Lemon rice
- Brown rice
- Instant Pot Mexican rice
Potatoes
- Parmesan roasted potatoes
- Garlic smashed potatoes
- Crispy smashed potatoes
- Instant Pot mashed potatoes
- Healthy dill potato salad
- Roasted potatoes
Vegetables
- Roasted cherry tomatoes
- Oven-roasted corn on the cob
- Roasted broccoli with Parmesan
- Grilled corn
- Roasted Broccolini
- Oven Roasted Vegetables
Dips
- Tzatziki
- Mango avocado salsa
- Simple guacamole
Other meats
- Buttermilk chicken tenders
- Instant Pot chicken tacos
- Oven-baked buffalo chicken wings
Sandwiches
- Chicken Caesar wrap
- Chicken sandwich
- Chicken quesadilla
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Frequently asked questions
This depends on the temperature of the grill and the thickness of the chicken thighs. Boneless chicken thighs should be cooked for around 10-12 minutes in total. If you are cooking at a temperature of 325°F-350°F, you should cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes on both sides.
Chicken thighs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. The meat should be white and have no pink colour to it.
You should marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but the longer you leave it, the more intense the flavour will be. Marinating the chicken overnight will give the best results.
The best cooking temperature is around 350°F. This is because the BBQ sauce can burn more quickly at higher temperatures, so cooking at a lower temperature for slightly longer will prevent the chicken from getting overly charred.
A simple marinade can be made from olive oil, lemon juice, honey, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Alternatively, you can use a BBQ marinade, which can also be used as a glaze.