Description
Juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs grilled to perfection with a sticky, tangy-sweet honey BBQ glaze. This foolproof recipe ensures crispy skin and tender meat, making it ideal for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Optional garnishes: green onions, sesame seeds, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Rub mixture all over chicken, including under the skin. Drizzle with vegetable oil and rub in evenly. Let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (375-400°F / 190-200°C). Arrange coals for indirect heat if using charcoal.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Whisk until smooth. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and reserve ½ cup for serving.
- Place chicken thighs skin-side down on hot grill grates. Close lid and cook for 15-20 minutes without moving. Flip and cook for another 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- In the last 5 minutes of cooking, brush chicken generously with glaze. Flip and brush again. Repeat 2-3 times for a glossy finish, moving to indirect heat if glaze darkens too quickly.
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle with reserved fresh glaze and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispy skin. Do not rush the skin side; let it char for at least 15 minutes. Honey burns easily, so glaze only in the last 5 minutes of cooking and monitor closely. Reserve half the glaze for serving fresh to maintain brightness. Chicken is done when internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 35
Keywords: grilled chicken, BBQ chicken, honey glaze, Labor Day recipe, summer grilling, chicken thighs, sticky glaze, easy dinner