Beginners Guide to Grilling Chicken Thighs

Рет қаралды 301,436

Күн бұрын

Wondering how to grill chicken thighs? They are one of the easiest meats to grill because they are so forgiving. They give you a lot of opportunity to learn how to control the fire, use a thermometer, and grill them to perfection. Even if you mess them up, they are still pretty good.
In this video I show you two ways to grill chicken thighs. One of them is a quick method on the gas grill and the other takes a bit more time on a standard charcoal kettle grill.
Hawaiian chicken video: • Grilled Hawaiian Shoyu...
Good instant read thermometer: amzn.to/3p0gmsd
Less expensive and less durable thermometer: amzn.to/3ocHvbe
Kettle Grill : bit.ly/SNSKettle
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Пікірлер: 186

@chrisoliver8979 3 жыл бұрын

I've been grilling for years but I still love watching these beginner videos. It's always good to remind yourself of the basics. Wonderful video sir

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

Always learning. Always improving. That's a great attitude. Thanks for the support.

@bobbyfeathers2279 7 ай бұрын

If you need a temperature gauge for chicken thighs, you're not grilling. Might as well bake them in the oven..

@VladislavBabbitt Ай бұрын

@@bobbyfeathers2279 I agree.

@mattiefattie3895 3 жыл бұрын

I like your calmness

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Most of KZfaq seems REALLY excited.

@marty.warner 3 жыл бұрын

chicken thighs ain't the only thing he's smoking 😉

@zillaman7674 2 жыл бұрын

I didn't learn jack from watching this video

@wSnowy 2 жыл бұрын

@@marty.warner what do u mean by that😳

@gillzyy Жыл бұрын

@Zillaman you weren't supposed to learn about jack... you were supposed to learn about grilling chicken thighs

@qzqx3047 Жыл бұрын

You’re such a calm person. God bless you

@judyl.761 3 жыл бұрын

When you removed that fat and said, “you wouldn’t want this for your first bite”, I thought to myself, oh yes I would!

@Bella-vt7ol 2 ай бұрын

🤢🤮

@Bella-vt7ol 2 ай бұрын

🤢🤮

@alanj9978 Ай бұрын

Seriously. That's the whole reason to eat chicken thighs.

@williamking8033 2 жыл бұрын

An excellent video. No "in yo face " bravado, just straight & clear advice.

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

I try to make videos I would like and I'm not a fan of the long ramble! Thanks for the supportive comment.

@michaelrice2993 5 ай бұрын

Fantastic video! Simple, to the point. The value of KZfaq lies in videos like this. Thank you!

@davidcisneros4400 Жыл бұрын

Beginner here. If anyone can screwed it up it'll be me. Thanks for sharing this video. Definitely very informative.

@GrillTopExperience Жыл бұрын

Chicken thighs are pretty forgiving. You've got this.

@Iconcupiscence Жыл бұрын

amazing video! very soothing vibes as well

@paultheriault9932 Жыл бұрын

Great video concise and not rushed thanks

@brianzamora4843 2 жыл бұрын

Great tips. Thank you.

@aaronphelps2008 3 жыл бұрын

So many helpful tips. Thanks for sharing

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the support. Good luck.

@terrybanks3061 Жыл бұрын

Thanks, great, simple video!

@mattcallahan8377 3 жыл бұрын

Like that SNS grill. Thanks for the tips.

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm still getting it dialed in, but I love the temperature probe port.

@barrybebenek8691 Жыл бұрын

Looks delicious on both grills. On the charcoal, turn the grill 180* so the cooler metal is over the coals to render the skin quickly without burning. 🇨🇦👍🏼

@arieldeleon157 2 жыл бұрын

incredibly informative and simultaneously zen

@MrTopsoil911 3 жыл бұрын

Great grill work

@amydecker6507 2 жыл бұрын

I am stoked thank you very very much

@Solemn_Kaizoku Жыл бұрын

My first time watching the channel. I really like that you get right to the "meat" of the video (literally), and your style is great. For some constructive criticism, please share your marinade recipe, and general time guidelines for each side would be appreciated.

@drzaius844 3 жыл бұрын

Love this video. I slather my thighs in Greek yogurt that I spice with garlic, etc. and marinade for an hour at least.

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

That's a great tip! The yogurt helps tenderize the meat.

@Pianofishdave 3 жыл бұрын

You did a great job on this video. Kudos

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, David. Keep grilling.

@reginaldhuckstable9797 2 жыл бұрын

Great content

@Elinorisgettingbetter 2 ай бұрын

You just gave me the courage to try grilling. Thank you!

@GrillTopExperience 2 ай бұрын

You can do it! It's pretty hard to mess up chicken thighs. The skin might be burnt or soggy, but the meat can still be great.

@pic5637 2 жыл бұрын

Great video.

@johnsmith-gk4td Жыл бұрын

Awesome video

@adudewithlonghair5706 Жыл бұрын

Your voice, but more so your manner, is undeniably soothing. It gives me Bob Ross vibes haha.

@GrillTopExperience Жыл бұрын

Happy little chicken thighs! 😂

@backyardq1850 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent

@111day1 2 жыл бұрын

I use a similar technique on my Weber but turn off the middle burner completely and don’t use a thermometer. Twenty minutes a side is the perfect amount of time as long as the grill is maintained at 400.

@hisservantt8746 3 жыл бұрын

Perfect

@yvanlachance8269 2 жыл бұрын

From one weber griller to another. Thank you, sir.

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

No, thank you and keep grilling.

@philhashey9651 Жыл бұрын

Looks like an SnS kettle, not Weber

@user-gi5dl9ex8l 2 ай бұрын

Thanks so much ! Sad to see all the negative comments from “experts” !

@bentonkrauss6280 2 жыл бұрын

On a gas grill now long should they cook for “generally”? I know each piece will take a different amount of time.

@THEREALSHOWBBQ 3 жыл бұрын

Chicken thighs don't get the respect they need. 😁 Great info as always. I hope you and your family are healthy as well as safe. God bless.

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

They are really inexpensive too. We haven't been buying chicken breasts for a while.

@hisservantt8746 3 жыл бұрын

Correct...we doing some as i type

@raulsanchez1481 2 жыл бұрын

You sir have earned a subscriber. Lol good stuff. Thanks.

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, Raul! I hope there are many awesome cooks in your future.

@raulsanchez1481 2 жыл бұрын

😎🤘

@joellanderson5137 Жыл бұрын

Hi, quick questions. Cook indirect for 45 mins, and how long on direct heat?

@awest3938 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, yes I do want that as my first bite

@galleonsongalleons 2 ай бұрын

How hot should the thermometer read for the kettle? You said over 225 but I didn't catch what it should be

@draggngmac386 2 жыл бұрын

Your voice is calming. great video man

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

I appreciate that! BBQ is supposed to be relaxing.

@Bella-vt7ol 2 ай бұрын

Agreed!

@Moneymendoza56 2 ай бұрын

How often do you flip it? That’s where I’m kind of confused (without a thermometer)

@grayboo212 2 жыл бұрын

For anyone on the fence on what cheap thermometer to buy, that "Inkbird Instant Read Meat Thermometer" is, my opinion, great. I bought mine last year and have used it probably 30 or 40 times and have zero complaints. I've only charged it twice (it's actually only "ON" 10 or 20 seconds at a time, several times throughout a cook so it doesn't drain much of the rechargeable battery). I got mine from Amazon as well, although it's went up in price a few dollars. That thing really has changed the way I grill.

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Inkbird sent me mine, but it's still my go-to thermometer.

@JSBselvas Жыл бұрын

I have one too, works great 👍

@Cndfirr 2 жыл бұрын

Great video …. Love how you get right into the video without a long production intro. I must say the sound is top quality. My guess is you have had voice training because your voice smooth and relaxing…at time you sound similar to Casey Kasem. Thank you again for posting your video

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Much appreciated! I haven't had any voice training other than listening to myself over and over for KZfaq.

@Overlord277 Ай бұрын

Leave the dome open? How do you know when to close and open it during a cook?

@BlessedFavouredHands Жыл бұрын

Thanks

@gdwsa12 3 жыл бұрын

Hello I was wondering what temperature did you have your charcoal grill at or between?

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

Great question. 350 - 375F is a good range to help crisp up the skin. If your temps are too low, it might be a little chewy, but you can put directly over the charcoal at the end like I did if the chicken is done, but the skin isn't.

@makibnadam 3 жыл бұрын

Hey GTE, thanks for the video. Just so we’re on the same page- you’re not saying to not do thighs on indirect heat- you’re just saying to keep the indirect heat a bit higher than 225 for charcoal ?

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

You can cook it both direct or indirect, but you won't burn it if you cook it indirect. You'll want the temperature to be higher. 325 is a good minimum if you want a shot at crispy skin, but higher is better.

@MrGriftershadow 2 жыл бұрын

You forgot to mention which ingredients you used for your marinade. Also think trimming the extra skin is optional. I mean that's the best part. I want all the skin. You can wrap it around the thigh with tongs. Delicious

@deborahl.3296 Жыл бұрын

Thanks, like the low/slow method for cooking through without burning. You mention 400 degrees on the sides - what temperature do you set the middle section? Thanks!

@GrillTopExperience Жыл бұрын

400F is the temperature of the grill. You adjust the burners to get to that temp.

@SaRKasTiKTurtl3 2 жыл бұрын

Brah! You had me at Aloha Shoyu lol

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Once you go Aloha, you can't go back.

@michellevargas9645 2 жыл бұрын

How many minutes each side when grilling on gas grill corn and chicken thighs? Great video :-) thank you

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

A lot of factors go into how long chicken thighs take to cook. You'll want to go by temperature to know it's done, but around 20 minutes a side is a good estimate.

@itawambamingo 2 жыл бұрын

I love Aloha Shoyu!

@SkunkMonkey991 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. I cook mine the same but I spin the grill around to eliminate the skin burn from the hot grill grate. I have the $89 weber and it works great. I do the opposite with steaks though. Keep up the good work.

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

That's a grate tip! I usually spin the grate for steaks in an effort to get an even sear if I'm reverse searing the steak. Lots of ways to get some good food. The most important tip is to master your pit.

@jasttea8109 3 жыл бұрын

Hi! Can I get a rough estimate for how long I should leave the chicken thighs in the gas grill? I know every grill is different, but I usually like rough estimates to keep track of food.

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

That's a great question. You usually want the meat done at the same time as the sides. Usually, thighs and drums take 45 minutes to an hour to get up to temp. Boneless thighs are thinner and are about half that.

@jasttea8109 3 жыл бұрын

@@GrillTopExperience Alright, thank you so much!

@amydecker6507 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@sandyashgarcia 3 жыл бұрын

Can you marinate thigh chicken? And will it come out just as good?

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely! It might even come out better depending on how you like it. My favorite is Hawaiian style Shoyu Chicken. That takes 12 hours to marinade.

@xavierrose2420 2 жыл бұрын

How long on each side?

@alicetooker7182 Жыл бұрын

SO HOW LONG DID IT TAKE

@3pt_swish319 Жыл бұрын

Simple

@andreae5417 Жыл бұрын

He didn’t mention how long they typically take to cook or how long to cook them on each side on the bbq :/

@umungus518 2 жыл бұрын

About how long did you cook the chicken on the gas grill?

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

You should cook the thighs until they are done based on temperature. If you are looking for an estimated time, they can take 45 - 75 minutes depending on how big they are and how hot you are cooking.

@jcout25 2 жыл бұрын

I assume you close the lid to the grill while they cook?

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Yes, if you are looking, you aren't cooking. On the kettle grill, leaving the lid off will give too much oxygen to the coals and you'll probably burn it. Gas grills work better with the lid shut so you can cook more evenly.

@maninifarmer1338 Жыл бұрын

Aloha soyu is onolicious.

@USA__2023 9 ай бұрын

I see so many videos where they pull chicken thighs at 165 deg. Chicken thighs are not done at 165, 175 to 180 is the best temp for them.

@wisam1991 Жыл бұрын

Would dry brining chicken thigh improve juices?

@GrillTopExperience Жыл бұрын

Dry brining is great for chicken. It really enhances the flavor.

@wisam1991 Жыл бұрын

@@GrillTopExperience thanks. So if I was to dry brine the chicken thigh for 24hrs and then marinate and then cook it would that be fine? Or should I wait a few hours after marinating before cooking it? I remember I watched a video of yours where you said store marinates are not worth it cause they just add water and burn. Thanks!

@GrillTopExperience Жыл бұрын

I probably wouldn't do both. If you have a marinade you like, it probably has salt in it and will do something similar to the dry brine. Marinades that work well usually have a lot of salt in them.

@joegonzales6816 2 жыл бұрын

Do you cook it skin down more or meat side down

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

It depends on how the cook is going. I usually spend more time meat side down. The skin side is easy to burn or tear up with the tongs.

@joegonzales6816 2 жыл бұрын

@@GrillTopExperience the skin side is the meat side right. I call one side the meat side and one side the bone side.

@valenciak8339 2 жыл бұрын

I have the same grill AND thermometer lol. I'm not gonna mess this up!

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Youve got the tools and knowledge. Good luck!

@valenciak8339 2 жыл бұрын

@@GrillTopExperience Came out PERFECT!

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Yes!!!! Nice job.

@pastrie42 2 жыл бұрын

Wow these need over an hour to cook!? Looks great though I just assumed they would be dry after that long.

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

It depends on the size of the thighs, but they have a lot of fat to render and keeps them from drying out. Don't try that with chicken breasts. 😃

@kenb.8596 2 ай бұрын

Thighs are hands down, the most tastiest part of the chicken & in most cases the cheapest part; Secondly buy the cheapest grill you can find, been through approx. 5 or 6 Weber Grills @ the tender age of 65, also DCS Grills are another waste of your hard earned money, with that said with the chicken thighs, I found grilling them on the top away from the direct fire & heat & using the grill as an oven to melt the skin, & using the extreme upper heat to bring your meat to the desired temps, works best for me, I season with garlic toasted (Powder) Sea Salt & Pepper, for the ultimate flav!!! As I'm bending my elbow with my Kool-Aid refreshments!!

@teresapeabody2746 3 ай бұрын

I pull the skin back and shake the spices directly on the meat. i then put the skin back on to protect the meat from the fire and hold the spices on.

@steffers178 2 жыл бұрын

😋

@richardpcrowe 9 ай бұрын

I love the chicken skin - however, my cardiac problems require a low-fat diet so I skin the chicken before I grill it! Not quite as tasty but, much healthier.

@slickrolls3708 10 ай бұрын

Selling your rub lol😅 now way would I buy that 😂. My advice to you

@brothermouzone1307 Жыл бұрын

❤👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

@brody1153 19 күн бұрын

Trimming chicken is got to be the most suburban yankee thing I have ever herd of

@noogman 6 ай бұрын

Your gas grill looks clean but one thing I have noticed on all these grilling videos is you never see anyone clean their grill before using it. I am pretty sure that most think the grill marks are from grill but I think it is from never cleaning it. I have had people tell me that you shouldn't clean a grill grate because it is like cast iron. I am not sure that is true. Let me know what you think.

@GrillTopExperience 6 ай бұрын

I wouldn't take advice from someone who thinks you should cook on something with last week's meal still stuck to it. I give my grates a quick scrub while the grill is hot, both before and after cooking.

@olsbijack2998 2 жыл бұрын

Why do you cook the chicken to 175 instead of 165ish. Just curious

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Good question. Chicken is safe at 165, but dark meat has a lot of connective tissue that breaks down at higher temperatures and makes it extra yummy.

@olsbijack2998 2 жыл бұрын

@@GrillTopExperience Good to know, I'll try it out

@brohanblack8396 Жыл бұрын

Why do you not sear it first?

@KenyanL-zg9lu 5 ай бұрын

Did you star in 'Friends'?

@HDLEGSHOW 26 күн бұрын

I can't get my thighs to 170 for the life of me...idk why it's taking forever. Grill is at about 350-400 too

@genetilghman6314 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for not calling your grills barbecue grills it seems like most people have been brainwashed into believing there's something called a barbecue grill either have a gas grill or charcoal grill

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

Yes! There is a difference between BBQ'ing ang GRILLing.

@VladislavBabbitt Ай бұрын

What about the entire leg?

@bryanthompson4323 2 жыл бұрын

You must be in Hawaii or lived there before. When you said shoyu chicken and said to use Aloha shoyu, that's a local thing in Hawaii. I live in Hawaii.

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Bryan! I lived in Hawaii for a couple of years. I've tried making shoyu chicken with other soy sauce, but it isn't the same and most of the time it isn't even good. Luckily there's a sizable group of Polynesians in Utah and I can still get Aloha Shoyu.

@bryanthompson4323 2 жыл бұрын

@@GrillTopExperience Yes, that's what most of the locals use here in Hawaii. I use the low salt Aloha shoyu. Aloha!

@rach78901 2 жыл бұрын

Omg his voice is so nice what the hell 😭

@kenfox22 3 жыл бұрын

You sound like a professional announcer

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY! Monster truck racing at the arena! OK, maybe not that kind of announcer. Thank you for the compliment.

@flashcraft 11 ай бұрын

For what it's worth, I thought that the 175-degree temp seemed high so I checked and the USDA states that the internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165° for food safety. Past that, you run the risk of eating dry chicken. A few chefs have even said to cook the chicken to 160 degrees and then take the chicken off the heat and it will continue to cook for a few more minutes raising the temperature to 165 degrees. I don't know myself but I dislike dry chicken. I'd gladly risk a trip to the Emergency Room than eat dry chicken.

@GrillTopExperience 11 ай бұрын

Dark meat with a bone is a different story. The connective tissue breaks down as it gets hotter. A chicken thigh at 175F will be tender and not dry.

@USA__2023 9 ай бұрын

You should try both temps. You'll find that chicken thighs are not done at 165 deg. Thighs are actually more tender at 175 to 180 than at 165. Cook hot and fast and they don't dry out.

@kaeobermoy4401 11 ай бұрын

This guy knows how to bbq he uses aloha shoyu that is the best for marinating and adobo teriyaki skewers even fish

@macdoj4 2 жыл бұрын

165 for chicken, unless you want it dry. 😋

@tomnuke9122 2 жыл бұрын

I should have watched this before grilling. Ended up charring the outside and the inside never went past 125 degrees. I'm still unbelievably pissed off, but I have myself to blame.

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

Don't feel bad. Everybody does that at some point. Now you are armed with experience and knowledge and will rock it.

@tomnuke9122 2 жыл бұрын

@@GrillTopExperience Thank you. I'll be sure not to give up ✌have a good one.

@VladislavBabbitt Ай бұрын

With a gas grill you can control the heat, but not with wood and coal.

@terriemesser9414 Жыл бұрын

I can't hear you over the music

@jackieo8693 2 жыл бұрын

The skin and the fat are the best part lol

@toddschultz7477 2 жыл бұрын

Never trim your chicken

@rashadlewis8345 2 ай бұрын

Nothing but flavor

@jamieroumbanis327 Ай бұрын

I choke mine

@thereve 3 ай бұрын

Conspiracy theory- Lock Picking Lawyer, Practical Engineering, and now Grill Top Experience are all the same person.

@GrillTopExperience 3 ай бұрын

Some people say Jerry Rig Everything, but I don't have a bunker or a Cybertruck!

@alliebogle2026 2 жыл бұрын

add

@charleshavatone2723 2 жыл бұрын

Why does my chicken take 3 hrs to cook??

@GrillTopExperience 2 жыл бұрын

You probably need to cook it a little hotter. If you are using the thermometer on the grill as a guide, it might be off. For example, the weber kettle will read 100F too hot if it is directly over the coals vs the indirect side.

@nomanejane5766 Жыл бұрын

Grill

@slickrolls3708 Жыл бұрын

Jab it

@teambigv 3 жыл бұрын

He sounds just like the guy that tears apart smart phones.

@GrillTopExperience 3 жыл бұрын

If only I had the patience for that! 9/10 would crack the screen.

@teambigv 3 жыл бұрын

@@GrillTopExperience haha. I like your channel dude keep up the good work.

@robertbaker3174 3 жыл бұрын

While I am trying to get my grill temperature down I read this and concur with you! Need a bit of levity with all the nonsense.

@MrGEORGIA224 Жыл бұрын

If you cook your chicken to 175 you run the risk of it going dry, usually if you pull it at 160 it’ll cook all the way through and still be juicy!

@GrillTopExperience Жыл бұрын

I'd agree with that for white meat, but dark meat has connective tissue that breaks down at higher temps. It's hard to dry out bone in chicken thighs.

@USA__2023 9 ай бұрын

HaHa, you probably haven't grilled chicken thighs. 160 to 165 for chicken thighs will give you a tough chicken thigh. They don't dry out at 175, or even 180 to 190. There is a reason that asians use chicken thighs in most of their dishes.