BBQ Chicken Thighs

If you’re looking for a juicy, flavour-packed dinner that’s easy to make, these BBQ Chicken Thighs are the perfect choice. Chicken thighs stay tender and moist while developing a delicious caramelized BBQ glaze that’s packed with smoky, sweet, and savoury flavours. Whether you’re grilling outdoors for a summer cookout or baking them in the oven year-round, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. Serve these BBQ chicken thighs with coleslaw, roasted vegetables, corn on the cob, or creamy mashed potatoes for a complete family meal everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Juicy, tender chicken every time
• Crispy, caramelized BBQ coating
• Easy ingredients you probably already have
• Great for grilling or oven baking
• Perfect for weeknight dinners, BBQ parties, and meal prep

Ingredients

• 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
• Fresh parsley for garnish

How to Make BBQ Chicken Thighs

1. Preheat your grill to medium heat or your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
3. Rub the chicken with olive oil.
4. Mix garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and chili powder in a small bowl.
5. Coat each chicken thigh evenly with the seasoning mixture.
6. Grill the chicken skin-side down for about 6–8 minutes or bake for 25 minutes.
7. Flip the chicken and continue cooking until nearly done.
8. Brush a generous layer of BBQ sauce over each piece.
9. Cook for another 5–8 minutes, turning once and brushing with more sauce until the glaze becomes sticky and caramelized.
10. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
11. Remove from the heat and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes.
12. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Tips for the Best BBQ Chicken Thighs

• Pat the chicken dry before seasoning for crispier skin.
• Apply BBQ sauce only during the final minutes of cooking to prevent burning.
• Use your favourite smoky, honey, spicy, or bourbon BBQ sauce for different flavour variations.
• Let the chicken rest before serving to keep it juicy.
• Bone-in chicken thighs provide the best flavour and stay moist while cooking.