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Crispy Marinated Grilled Chicken Thighs

crispy marinated grilled chicken thighs - featured image

Juicy, tender chicken thighs marinated with fresh herbs and grilled to crispy perfection, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or summer barbecues.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds or 1.4 kg)
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons (about 30 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, chopped rosemary, thyme, parsley, minced garlic, lemon juice, honey, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Whisk until well mixed (about 5 minutes).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help the skin get crispy.
  3. Add the chicken to the bowl with the marinade and toss to coat each piece evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 4 hours or overnight for best flavor infusion.
  4. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (around 375°F to 400°F). Clean and oil the grill grates to prevent sticking (about 10 minutes).
  5. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down on the grill. Cook undisturbed for 7-9 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy.
  6. Flip the chicken and grill the other side for another 6-8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Remove the chicken from the grill and tent loosely with foil. Let it rest for 5 minutes to redistribute the juices and keep the meat tender.
  8. Serve with extra fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon if desired.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before marinating to ensure crispy skin. Let chicken rest after grilling to keep it juicy. If flare-ups occur, move chicken to cooler part of grill. For extra crispiness, finish on a hot pan if needed. Marinate overnight for best flavor. Can bake at 425°F for 25-30 minutes if no grill is available.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken thighs, crispy chicken, marinated chicken, herb chicken, easy chicken recipe, summer barbecue, weeknight dinner