How To Grill Chicken Thighs On Charcoal Grill

Grilled chicken thighs on a charcoal grill are not hard to make if you follow my step-by-step instructions to end up with great-tasting, moist chicken thighs.

I have cooked many chicken thighs on my old charcoal grill and here I will share all my tips and the recipes I have used for many years.

Key Takeaway:

• Preheat your charcoal grill to 350°F (176°C)
• Season your chicken thighs.
• Grill them indirect
• Check internal temperature till 175°F(79°C)
• Finish over a hot fire.

These are the basic steps but have a look at them one by one.

Preheating your grill

it takes time to preheat your grill so start this early. It can take up to 30 minutes before a charcoal grill is heated up and the charcoal is covered with grey ashes.

Seasoning You Chicken Thighs

Chicken is very forgiving when it comes to absorbing flavors.

However, depending on how long the rub soaks in, I suggest seasoning the chicken and letting it sit overnight if you can.

My seasoning is very simple and made of spices most people have in the kitchen. No need to overdo it.

I usually grill 4 chicken thighs and this recipe is enough for that.

• 1 tsp Cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Oregano
• 1 tsp Garlic powder
• 2 tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1 tsp Onion powder.

I rub the chicken thighs with Olive oil before adding the rub. However, it works also without that. I found that the rub sticks better to the chicken

Tip: Rub it also under the skin for improved flavor.

Do this at least an hour before you start grilling but if you can do it overnight or as long as you can.

Use Indirect grilling

This is something I learned the hard way! Indirect grilling is a must for chicken thighs.

If you don’t know what indirect grilling is here is a short explanation.

Indirect grilling keeps the heat (charcoal) on one side of the grill and the chicken thighs on the opposite side.

Check The Internal Temperature

There is nothing good about overcooked dried-out chicken thighs. For that reason, it is very important to keep an eye on the internal temperature.

I grill my BBQ chicken thighs to around 175°F(79°C) and after that give them a quick sear over the hot coals.

How Long To Cook Chicken Thighs On Charcoal Grill

This is always the first question I get and the answer is simple. I will take about 30 minutes to grill chicken thighs on a charcoal grill when the grill temperature is at 350°F (176°C)

I found out that there is no difference in grilling bone-in or boneless chicken thighs.

Warning: Do not touch the bone when you check the internal temperature. This will give a false reading.

I have many more BBQ chicken recipes to choose from.

Grill Chicken Thighs On Charcoal Grill – My Experience

After cooking many chicken thighs on my charcoal grill I believe I have mastered the process and this is confirmed by the many compliments I get.

If you follow these steps you can basically not go wrong. I still suggest you keep experimenting with new flavors and develop your own rubs.

For me, that is one of the things I like to do and test.

Related Posts

Eddie van Aken

Eddie van Aken brings years of experience from running a full-service restaurant, where he honed his skills with all types of kitchen equipment. His expertise extends to mastering the art of outdoor cooking, utilizing the right recipes to enhance flavors on grills and smokers. Eddie’s in-depth knowledge allows him to provide comprehensive grill reviews and valuable outdoor cooking tips, helping enthusiasts make the most of their grilling adventures. You can read more on the About page for Eddie van Aken