These Grilled Hen Thighs begin in a daring, flavorful marinade, then hit the grill till they’re tender and juicy. A fast baste of BBQ sauce on the finish provides an irresistible shiny, caramelized end.
This marinade is worthy of a standing ovation. It’s daring, balanced, and an ideal match for the wealthy taste of hen thighs.
With the price of meat today, hen thighs are nonetheless some of the budget-friendly choices on the market. The excellent news is, they’re completely scrumptious on the grill. I began testing marinades whereas it was nonetheless raining exterior so we might all have these straightforward Grilled Hen Thighs on repeat this summer season!
This recipe was on our Memorial Day menu this yr together with Spicy Baked Beans and my daughter-in-law’s Kale Caesar Pasta Salad and it was perfection.
In case you’re all the time looking out for nice grilling recipes, be sure you take a look at my Greatest Grilled Hen Marinade, Chipotle Maple Grilled Hen, and Grilled Hawaiian BBQ Hen too!
Ingredient Notes
- Hen thighs: I want boneless, skinless thighs for this recipe as a result of they’re meaty, straightforward to slice, and cook dinner extra shortly than bone-in. That stated, this marinade and methodology additionally work fantastically with bone-in hen thighs, simply enable for a barely longer cooking time. Thighs have a richer taste and barely larger fats content material than hen breast however both will work with this recipe.
- Olive oil: I often use additional virgin olive oil as a result of it’s what I hold available, however common or mild olive oil works simply as nicely on this marinade.
- Worcestershire sauce and low sodium soy sauce: Each of those elements add a savory, umami-richness to marinades.
- Dijon mustard: Not solely does it add nice taste, it additionally acts as an emulsifier, serving to the oil and different elements mix collectively and cling to the hen extra successfully.
- Lemon: Each the zest and juice of a lemon add brilliant taste and assist to tenderize the hen.
- Garlic: Both freshly minced garlic or save time and used the botted selection (belief me, nobody will no the distinction when you use pre-minced garlic in a marinade.)
- Spices: Smoked paprika is a superb means so as to add smoky taste to a marinade and both recent or dried rosemary provides a pleasant woody, herbiness.
- Brown sugar: Provides a contact of sweetness that balances the savory and acidic parts within the marinade. It additionally promotes caramelization because it grills, serving to the hen develop a stunning golden-brown, barely crispy exterior.
- BBQ sauce: Completely optionally available, however we like to baste our Grilled Hen Thighs with somewhat BBQ sauce in the direction of the top of the cooking time. Use your favourite model or omit it altogether.
Marinade for Grilled Hen Thighs
- Whisk collectively the marinade elements in a small bowl.
- Marinate the hen thighs within the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours however not more than 6 hours.
Find out how to Grill Hen Thighs
- Preheat your grill for oblique warmth. For a charcoal grill, unfold the recent coals to at least one aspect. For a fuel grill, activate the burners on just one aspect.
- Place the hen on the cooler aspect of the grill. Take away the hen from the marinade and set it on the aspect with out coals or burners. Cowl and cook dinner to an inside temperature of 165 levels F or 14 to 18 minutes for boneless hen thighs or 20 to 25 minutes for bone-in, flipping the items 2 or 3 occasions throughout cooking. In direction of the top, baste flippantly with BBQ sauce, if utilizing.
- End over direct warmth. Transfer the hen to the recent aspect of the grill and cook dinner for 1 to 2 minutes per aspect, or till it’s properly charred. Watch it intently as it could possibly burn shortly at this stage.
Valerie’s Suggestions
Use a meat thermometer. Ensure your hen thighs have reached an inside temperature of a minimum of 165 levels F earlier than eradicating them from the grill. When utilizing bone-in thighs, take care to not let the tip of the meat thermometer contact the bone when checking the temperature.
Don’t skip the flip. Turning the hen 2 to three occasions whereas it cooks over oblique warmth helps it cook dinner evenly and develop a pleasant floor.
Watch intently over direct warmth. Sugars within the marinade and BBQ sauce can burn shortly. A fast sear, simply 1 to 2 minutes per aspect, is all you want for nice coloration and taste.
Marinate for two to six hours. This provides the hen time to absorb taste with out breaking down an excessive amount of. For the reason that marinade is acid-based, keep away from marinating longer than 6 hours to forestall a mushy texture.
Storage and reheating. Retailer leftover grilled hen thighs in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Reheat gently within the microwave or in a coated skillet over low warmth with a splash of water or broth to maintain them moist. For longer storage, freeze the cooked hen in a freezer-safe container for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
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Grilled Hen Thighs
These Grilled Hen Thighs begin in a daring, flavorful marinade, then hit the grill till they’re tender and juicy. A fast baste of BBQ sauce on the finish provides an irresistible shiny, caramelized end.
Directions
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Place the hen items in a gallon dimension zippered meals storage bag.
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In a small bowl, whisk collectively the marinade elements and pour it over the hen. Press out as a lot air as potential and seal the bag. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours and not more than 6 hours.
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Warmth your charcoal or fuel grill for oblique warmth. For charcoal, unfold the coals to at least one aspect of the grill. For fuel, solely flip the burners on one aspect on.
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Take away the hen from the marinade and place it on the oblique warmth aspect of the grill (no coals/no burners). Cowl and grill the hen for 14 to 18 minutes (boneless) or 20 to 25 minutes (bone-in), or till it reaches an inside temperature of 165 levels F., flipping 2 or 3 occasions all through the cooking time. In direction of the top of the cooking time, baste flippantly with BBQ sauce, if utilizing.
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Then, transfer the items over the direct warmth and cook dinner for about 1 to 2 minutes per aspect, or till charred to your liking. Watch intently as a result of it could possibly start to burn shortly.
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Switch to a platter and permit to relaxation for about 5 minutes earlier than serving.
Notes
Storage and reheating. Retailer leftover grilled hen thighs in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Reheat gently within the microwave or in a coated skillet over low warmth with a splash of water or broth to maintain them moist. For longer storage, freeze the cooked hen in a freezer-safe container for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Vitamin
Energy: 281 kcal · Carbohydrates: 4 g · Protein: 37 g · Fats: 13 g · Saturated Fats: 3 g · Polyunsaturated Fats: 2 g · Monounsaturated Fats: 6 g · Trans Fats: 0.03 g · Ldl cholesterol: 180 mg · Sodium: 699 mg · Potassium: 526 mg · Fiber: 1 g · Sugar: 2 g · Vitamin A: 218 IU · Vitamin C: 10 mg · Calcium: 29 mg · Iron: 2 mg
Vitamin data is robotically calculated utilizing generic elements, and is an estimate not a assure. For extra correct outcomes, please check with the labels in your elements at dwelling.
