The Best Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (excess fat trimmed, patted dry)
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 0.25 cup mayonnaise
• 0.25 cup honey
• 2 tsp garlic paste (or 3 garlic cloves, minced)
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2 tsp smoked paprika

Steps

1. 1

   Use a pair of kitchen scissors to trim away large pieces of excess fat from the chicken thighs.

2. 2

   Pat thighs dry with a paper towel and place in a shallow dish or Ziploc bag.

3. 3

   In a small blender or jar, combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, ¼ cup mayo, ¼ cup honey, 2 teaspoons garlic paste or minced garlic, 1 teaspoon each of kosher salt, pepper, and oregano, and 2 teaspoons smoked paprika.

4. 4

   Blend, shake or whisk vigorously until creamy and emulsified.

5. 5

   Set aside three tablespoons of marinade in a small bowl for basting.

6. 6

   Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are evenly covered with marinade on all sides.

7. 7

   Marinate for 30 minutes, up to 24 hours.

8. 8

   Preheat grill to high, about 450°F (232°C) and oil the grill grates with a pastry brush or oiled paper towel.

9. 9

   Use tongs to place chicken on the grill, making sure to fully unfold each thigh so it is as flat as possible.

10. 10

    Close the grill and let cook for 4 minutes.

11. 11

    Without flipping them over, rotate the chicken thighs 90 degrees and continue cooking on this same side for 2 more minutes (this creates the desirable cross-hatch grill marks).

12. 12

    Flip chicken and use a pastry brush to brush on the reserved marinade.

13. 13

    Close grill and cook another 5 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally.

14. 14

    Flip one more time, brush with marinade, then remove chicken thighs to a plate.

15. 15

    Serve hot with your favorite sides, such as a peach caprese salad and garlic bread.

Notes

Leftover chicken is versatile and can be used in tacos, salads, burritos, sandwiches, sliders, pizzas, or pasta. For the best results, ensure the grill is fully preheated to 450°F before adding the chicken.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• chicken
• grilled
• bbq
• summer
• meal prep
• gluten-free