How to Grill Chicken Thighs

Pay attention to size

Unlike chicken breasts, which consist of a single muscle, chicken thighs contain multiple pieces—which is why they tend to have more irregular shapes and sizes, especially after the bone is removed. Also, the weight of a package of thighs can vary considerably depending on where and how they were raised.

In general, free range methods produce thighs that are more petite than their industrially-bred counterparts. Larger pieces of meat will require more seasoning and longer cooking times, so know what you're working with before you fire up the bbq.

Try trimming

The extra fat on chicken thighs is what locks in their moisture and gives them their irresistibly rich, savory flavor. (And, makes them almost impossible to overcook.) But some producers leave more skin and fat on their thighs than others—and large pockets of fat can cause nerve-wracking flare-ups when they hit the grill.

Your best bet? Inspect each thigh before cooking and trim away any excess folds of fat with a sharp knife.

Season generously

Even unadorned, thighs are succulent and full of flavor—but season them with even the simplest marinade or spice rub, and the results will be off the charts. Their rich meat can stand up to robust spices, so don't be shy.

Slather them with a creamy Tandoori-style yogurt marinade and thread them on a skewer; pound them into a paillard and rub with a garlic- and thyme-flecked Mediterranean blend; or bathe them in a sweet-and-salty Vietnamese-style citrus and brown sugar brine and serve them over vermicelli noodles. The only limitations are your appetite and your imagination.

Let them rest

No matter what kind of flavor agent you're working with, for the fullest flavor, allow yourself enough time to season the chicken three to four hours ahead of cooking and let it rest in the refrigerator. Then, bring it to room temperature 30 minutes before grilling.

Check the temp

No one wants to bite into a chunk of undercooked chicken. Because of their size, thighs will tend to cook quicker than breasts. As a general rule, 10 minutes on the grill will take care of small thighs and 12 to 13 minutes should work for larger ones. Eyeballing doneness can be a little tricky because unlike breast meat, which turns from pink to white, thigh meat retains some of its dusky hue even after a thorough cooking.

Ultimately, if you're unsure of when to pull your thighs from the fire, your safest bet is to rely on a temperature check. Most food experts agree that when the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 F, it's time to remove it from the heat and let it rest before serving. Remember: For the most accurate reading, always insert the tip of a digital thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh.