How Long Do You Barbecue Chicken Thighs? The Complete Guide

People love to grill chicken thighs because they taste better and stay juicy longer than chicken breasts. But it can be hard to figure out how long to grill chicken thighs. Undercook them and you risk food poisoning. Overcook them and you end up with dry, rubbery meat. This full guide will tell you how long to grill chicken thighs based on whether they have bones or not, what temperature you are cooking them at, and other factors.

Factors That Affect Cook Times

The exact amount of time your chicken thighs need to cook on the grill will depend on a few important factors.

Bone-In vs Boneless

• Bone-in chicken thighs take longer to cook than boneless. The bones help insulate the meat so it retains more moisture, but this means it takes longer for the heat to fully penetrate and cook through. Boneless thighs cook faster since the heat can access the meat directly.

Skin On vs Skinless

• Skin-on chicken thighs will also take a bit longer than skinless. The skin helps protect the meat, slowing down cooking time slightly. Crispy skin is also one of the best parts of barbecued chicken thighs, so leave it on if you can!

Thickness

• Thicker chicken thighs will need more time on the grill than thinner ones. Double check each thigh and note any significant size differences. You may need to remove smaller thighs sooner so they don’t overcook.

Grilling Temperature

• The hotter your grill, the faster your chicken will cook. Cook times will vary depending on if you are cooking over high, medium, or low heat.

Use of a Meat Thermometer

• The most foolproof way to test doneness for chicken is by temperature, not time. Investing in a good digital meat thermometer takes the guesswork out of knowing when your thighs are perfectly cooked through.

How Long to Grill Boneless Chicken Thighs

For chicken thighs that are boneless and skinless and are cooking over medium-high heat (about 400°F), the grilling time is:

• 6-8 minutes per side

• For a total grill time of 12-16 minutes

However, you want to rely on an instant read thermometer over time. Boneless thighs are safely cooked through once they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

If grilling over lower heat, extend cook times. If grilling over higher heat, reduce cook times. Always monitor temperature and visually check for doneness rather than relying solely on time.

How Long to Grill Bone-In Chicken Thighs

For bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs cooking over medium heat (around 350-375°F), approximate grilling times are:

• 5 minutes skin-side down
• Flip and cook 5 minutes on second side
• Flip again and cook for 8-12 minutes skin-side up
• For a total of 18-22 minutes

The bone and skin will slow the cooking process, so bone-in thighs need more time than boneless. Cook until thighs reach an internal temperature of 175°F for the best texture.

If grilling over higher heat, reduce times slightly. If grilling over lower heat, extend times. Instead of relying only on grilling times, check the temperature often to see if the meat is done.

Tips for Grilling Juicy, Flavorful Chicken Thighs

Follow these tips for barbecuing chicken thighs that come out tender, juicy, and packed with smoky flavor every time:

• Trim excess fat/skin: This prevents flare ups. Leave skin on for flavor.

• Pat dry: Remove excess moisture with paper towels for better browning.

• Use a rub or marinade: For added flavor and moisture. A simple brown sugar rub works great.

• Two-zone fire: Sear thighs over direct heat then move to indirect heat to finish cooking. This gives you the char while preventing overcooking.

• Rotate: Occasionally rotate thighs for even cooking especially if one area of the grill is hotter.

• Check temperature: Invest in a good digital instant read thermometer and routinely check thighs as they cook. This prevents over or undercooking.

• Rest before serving: Let thighs rest 5-10 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute. Keep loosely tented with foil.

How Long to Barbecue Chicken Thighs at Different Temperatures

Here are approximate grill times for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs at different grill temperatures:

At 225°F (low):

• Skin-side down: 10 minutes
• Flip, second side: 10 minutes
• Skin-side up: 25-35 minutes
• Total Time: 45-55 minutes

At 325°F (medium):

• Skin-side down: 6 minutes
• Flip, second side: 6 minutes
• Skin-side up: 15-18 minutes
• Total Time: 27-30 minutes

At 450°F (high):

• Skin-side down: 4 minutes
• Flip, second side: 4 minutes
• Skin-side up: 10-12 minutes
• Total Time: 18-20 minutes

Remember, these times are just guidelines. Always grill to an internal temperature of 175°F for bone-in thighs for the juiciest results.

How Long to Barbecue Frozen Chicken Thighs

You can absolutely grill chicken thighs straight from frozen. They will just take quite a bit longer.

For frozen bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, approximate grill times are:

• 20 minutes skin-side down
• Flip and grill 15 minutes
• Flip again and grill 15-25 minutes skin-side up
• For an approximate total time of 50-60 minutes

The key is to grill low and slow at around 275°F. Higher heat will burn the outside before the inside thaws. Check temperature and let thighs rest before serving.

For frozen boneless thighs, grill approximately 45-50 minutes total over low heat, flipping occasionally. Cook to an internal temperature of 165°F.

Signs Chicken Thighs Are Done Grilling

The best way to test doneness for chicken thighs is by temperature. However there are also some visual cues that your barbecue chicken thighs are fully cooked:

• The meat tears easily with a fork
• Juices run clear when pierced (not pink)
• The meat has pulled back from the bone
• Skin is dark brown and crispy (if skin-on)

Rely on these visual signs combined with temperature to determine when chicken is safe to eat. Never rely on grilling time alone. Use a good digital meat thermometer for the most accurate reading.

Safety Tips When Cooking Chicken Thighs

To safely enjoy tender, juicy barbecue chicken thighs every time:

• Only grill thighs over a clean grill. Heat grill on high 15 minutes before use.

• Use separate plates/utensils for raw and cooked thighs. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw thighs.

• Cook to proper temperature (165°F for boneless, 175°F for bone-in) to kill any bacteria. Use a thermometer to confirm.

• Refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours. Reheat fully to 165°F before serving again. Discard if sitting out longer than 2 hours.

• When in doubt, throw it out! Do not risk eating undercooked chicken.

Chicken thighs are a classic choice for summer barbecues. Just allow extra time for bone-in and thicker thighs. And invest in an accurate meat thermometer. Follow the guidelines above for grilling chicken thighs that are perfectly cooked from the inside out every time!