Grilled Chicken Thighs

Grilled Chicken Thighs—Tender chicken thighs marinated in zesty spices are grilled to perfection and topped with a vibrant herb and jalapeno sauce. This quick and flavorful dish is perfect for summer grilling, family dinners, and outdoor entertaining.

 

As soon as the weather starts to warm up even a little bit, that’s when I turn to my favorite Summer Grilling Recipes. I’m all about keeping things easy and delicious, especially when it’s hot out. And let me tell you, with these Grilled Chicken Thighs, dinnertime just got a serious upgrade. 

Forget boring grilled chicken. We’re talking juicy chicken thighs marinated in a zesty blend of garlic, lime, and spices. And let’s not forget about that sauce—a creamy, herb-infused concoction with a hint of jalapeno kick. It’s the perfect complement to the chicken’s smoky char, adding a burst of freshness and a touch of heat. 

Whether you’re cooking up a weeknight dinner for the family or hosting a casual backyard barbecue with friends, these Grilled Chicken Thighs are guaranteed to be a hit.

So, fire up the grill, whip up a batch of ice-cold Summer Sangria, and get ready to enjoy some seriously flavorful chicken.

What You’ll Need

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.

Chicken Thighs

• Olive Oil
• Lime Juice
• Garlic
• Smoked Paprika
• Sugar
• Cumin
• Salt & Pepper
• Chicken Thighs

Chile Herb Sauce (optional)

• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Olive Oil
• Milk
• Jalapeño – remove the seeds and membrane to make it more mild
• Lime Juice
• Garlic
• Sugar – helps cut the acid and balance the spice
• Salt & Pepper

How To Make Grilled Chicken Thighs

• Prepare Marinade. Combine olive oil, lime juice, garlic, paprika, sugar, cumin, salt, and pepper in a zip-top bag. Add chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated, and let marinate for 20-30 minutes.
• Preheat Grill. While the chicken marinates, heat the grill to medium-high heat.
• Grill Chicken. Transfer the chicken from the marinade to the grill. Grill each side for 5-6 minutes until each piece reaches an internal temperature of 165º F.
• Prepare Sauce. Meanwhile, blend parsley, cilantro, olive oil, milk, jalapeno, lime juice, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper in a food processor until finely chopped.
• Serve Chicken. Plate the grilled chicken thighs and top them with the prepared chile herb sauce for added flavor and freshness. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• Marinate longer for even more flavor. Marinating the chicken thighs longer allows the flavors to penetrate deeper, resulting in more flavorful and tender grilled chicken. However, the acidic lime juice can over-tenderize the chicken if left too long, so don’t exceed 2 hours. 
• Adjust the spice level to taste. For a milder sauce, deseed the jalepeño. The more seeds included, the spicier the sauce will be. 
• Pair with light and refreshing sides. Grill vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini, or corn alongside the chicken for a well-rounded and nutritious dish.
• Double the Recipe for Easy Meal Prep. Prepare a larger batch of grilled chicken thighs and sauce to have leftovers for quick and convenient meals throughout the week.

More Tasty Chicken Dinner Recipes

• Chick Fil A Cool Wrap
• Thai Chicken Salad
• Chicken Spaghetti
• Fajita Wrap
• Loaded Chicken Casserole
• Orange Chicken

Continue to Content

Yield: 4

Grilled Chicken Thighs

Print

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Chile Herb Sauce - chicken thighs marinated in a blend of garlic, spices and lime juice. Grilled and then topped with a creamy herb and jalapeno sauce. 

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

Chicken Thighs

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 6-8 chicken thighs

Chile Herb Sauce (optional)

• 1 cup fresh parsley
• 1 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons milk
• 1 Tablespoon jalapeno, seeded and minced
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. In a plastic zip top bag combine the ingredients for the chicken thighs. Mix together the olive oil, lime juice, garlic, paprika, sugar, cumin, salt and pepper until blended. 
2. Add chicken thighs to the bag, and massage until everything is well coated. Let sit for 20-30 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, preheat grill to medium high heat
4. Remove chicken from marinade and grill for 5-6 minutes per side or until cooked through. The internal temperature should be 165º F.
5. Meanwhile make the sauce by added all of the ingredients to a mini food processor or blender. Process until finely chopped. 
6. Serve cooked chicken topped with sauce.

Notes

Recipe Adapted from Cooking Light

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 674Total Fat 47gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 34gCholesterol 333mgSodium 733mgCarbohydrates 6gFiber 1gSugar 2gProtein 62g

Nutrition Disclaimer: All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on dinnersdishesanddesserts.com should only be used as a general guideline.

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Erin S

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and I’m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

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