How Long to Grill Chicken Thighs

How Long to Grill Chicken Thighs (Gas, Charcoal & Beginner Guide)

How long to grill chicken thighs is one of the most common questions beginner grillers ask. Whether you’re wondering how long to grill chicken thighs on a gas grill, how long to grill chicken thighs on a charcoal grill, or how long to barbecue chicken thighs for the best juicy texture, the key is simple: match your grill temperature, grill type, and chicken thigh style (boneless vs bone-in) to the right time and internal temperature.

This guide walks beginners through everything step-by-step: what temp to grill boneless chicken thighs, how long to grill bone-in chicken thighs, how long to cook chicken thighs on a gas grill or charcoal grill, and how to avoid undercooked or dry meat—no guesswork, just clear grilling times you can trust.

Safe Internal Temperature for Chicken Thighs
How Long to Grill Boneless Chicken Thighs on a Gas Grill
How Long to Grill Bone-In Chicken Thighs on a Gas Grill
How Long to Grill Boneless Chicken Thighs on a Charcoal Grill
How Long to Grill Bone-In Chicken Thighs on a Charcoal Grill
How Long to Cook Chicken Thighs on an Electric Grill
How Long to Grill Chicken Thighs at 300°F, 350°F, and 400°F
How to Grill Chicken Thighs Step-by-Step (Gas or Charcoal)
Best Rubs, Sprays, and Tools for Grilled Chicken Thighs
Quick Answers to “How Long to Grill Chicken Thighs” Questions
FAQs About Grilling Chicken Thighs

Safe Internal Temperature for Chicken Thighs

Before you stress over how long to grill chicken thighs, focus on the internal temperature. Time is just a guideline—temperature is the truth.

Minimum safe internal temp: 165°F
Best eating range for thighs: 175°F–195°F for tender, juicy meat and fully rendered fat

Chicken thighs are more forgiving than chicken breasts. They actually taste better when you take them a little higher in temp, especially if you’re asking how long to grill chicken thighs for that fall-apart tenderness. Use an instant-read thermometer from your grilling accessories instead of guessing by time alone.

How Long to Grill Boneless Chicken Thighs on a Gas Grill

Beginners often ask how to grill chicken thighs on a gas grill and how long to grill boneless chicken thighs on gas grill burners without drying them out. Boneless, skinless thighs cook faster than bone-in, but still have enough fat to stay juicy.

Grill temp: 375°F–400°F (medium-high)
Zone setup: Two-zone (hot side and cooler side)
How long to grill boneless chicken thighs: 12–16 minutes total

Here’s how long to cook chicken thighs on gas grill burners step-by-step:

Preheat your gas grill to about 400°F with two zones.
Place seasoned boneless thighs over direct heat.
Grill 5–7 minutes, then flip.
Grill another 5–7 minutes, moving to indirect heat if they brown too fast.
Check internal temperature; keep cooking until 175°F–190°F.

If you’re wondering how long do you grill boneless chicken thighs for beginners, aim for about 6 minutes per side at 400°F, then use your thermometer to finish. When someone asks how long for chicken thighs on grill or how long to cook chicken thighs on a grill for weeknight dinners, this is the basic formula.

How Long to Grill Bone-In Chicken Thighs on a Gas Grill

Bone-in, skin-on thighs are perfect for gas grills because they handle higher heat and longer cooks well. Many beginners ask how long to cook bone in chicken thighs on grill and how long to grill bone-in chicken thighs on gas grill setups without burning the skin.

Grill temp: 375°F–400°F
Zone setup: Indirect heat with a small direct zone
How long to cook chicken thighs on a gas grill (bone-in): 30–45 minutes

Here’s how long to grill bone in chicken thighs and how to grill bone-in chicken thighs on gas grill burners:

Preheat to 375°F–400°F with one burner on low or off to create indirect heat.
Start thighs skin-side up over indirect heat.
Grill 20–25 minutes, rotating every 10 minutes.
Flip skin-side down over indirect or gentle direct heat for 10–15 minutes to crisp the skin.
Check temperature in the thickest part (not touching bone). When you ask how long does it take to grill bone in chicken thighs, the real answer is “until 180°F–195°F,” usually around 35–45 minutes.

If you want to know how long to grill chicken thighs with bone, how long to grill bone-in chicken thighs, or how long to grill bone-in chicken on a gas grill in general, plan for about 40 minutes at medium-high heat with most of that time over indirect heat.

How Long to Grill Boneless Chicken Thighs on a Charcoal Grill

Charcoal adds flavor, but it also raises questions like how to cook chicken thighs on charcoal grill and how long to grill boneless chicken thighs on charcoal grill without burning them.

Grill temp: 375°F–425°F over the hot side
Zone setup: Two-zone fire (coals banked to one side)
How long to grill boneless chicken thighs on charcoal grill: 10–15 minutes total

When you ask how to cook chicken thighs on a charcoal grill and how long to cook chicken thighs on charcoal grill grates, here’s a reliable approach:

Light your charcoal and let it burn until you have a bed of glowing coals.
Place thighs over the hot side and grill 4–6 minutes per side for sear.
Move to the cool side and finish another 3–5 minutes until internal temp hits 175°F–190°F.

If you’re wondering how long grill boneless chicken thighs or how long do boneless chicken thighs take to grill on charcoal, your best window is around 12–15 minutes depending on thickness, plus a short rest.

How Long to Grill Bone-In Chicken Thighs on a Charcoal Grill

Bones slow down cooking slightly, and beginners often ask how long to charcoal grill chicken thighs and how long to cook chicken thighs on a charcoal grill when the thighs have bones and skin.

Grill temp: 325°F–375°F
Zone setup: Coals mostly to one side for indirect cooking
How long to barbecue chicken thighs (bone-in) over charcoal: 35–50 minutes

For anyone asking how long to bbq chicken thighs charcoal, how long to bbq chicken thighs bone in, or how long to bbq bone in chicken thighs, here’s the pattern:

Arrange coals for a two-zone fire.
Place bone-in thighs skin-side up over the cooler side.
Grill 25–30 minutes, rotating every 10 minutes.
Move closer to the hot side and crisp the skin for 10–15 minutes, flipping as needed.
Pull when they hit at least 180°F internal. That’s the real answer to how long does it take to barbecue chicken thighs and how long do bone in chicken thighs take to grill.

When someone asks how long to grill chicken thighs charcoal or how long to grill chicken thighs with bones, plan for around 40–45 minutes total at a steady medium heat.

How Long to Cook Chicken Thighs on an Electric Grill

Electric grills run a little cooler, so people often ask how long to cook boneless chicken thighs on electric grill or how long to cook chicken thighs on electric grill if they don’t use charcoal or gas.

Grill temp: High (often 400°F setting)
Boneless thighs: 14–18 minutes total
Bone-in thighs: 30–40 minutes total

Electric grills usually don’t char quite as aggressively, but the timing is still straightforward—cook boneless until 175°F–185°F and bone-in until 180°F–195°F, flipping halfway through.

How Long to Grill Chicken Thighs at 300°F, 350°F, and 400°F

Another way beginners ask the same question is by temperature: how long to grill chicken at 300, how long to grill chicken thighs at 300, or how long to cook chicken thighs on grill at 400. Here’s how long to cook thighs on grill at the most common temps.

How Long to Grill Chicken Thighs at 300°F

Boneless chicken thighs on grill at 300°F: 30–35 minutes
Bone-in chicken thighs on grill at 300°F: 45–60 minutes

If you’re wondering how long to cook chicken at 300 on grill or how long to grill chicken thighs at 300 for gentle, forgiving cooks, this lower temp just takes longer—but it’s very beginner-friendly.

How Long to Grill Chicken Thighs at 350°F

Boneless chicken thighs: 20–25 minutes
Bone-in chicken thighs: 35–40 minutes

When someone asks how long to grill chicken thighs at 350, think “around 10 minutes per side for boneless, closer to 20 minutes per side for bone-in with some indirect time mixed in.”

How Long to Grill Chicken Thighs at 400°F

Boneless skinless chicken thighs at 400°F: 12–16 minutes
Bone-in chicken thighs at 400°F: 30–40 minutes with indirect heat

These numbers cover questions like how long to grill chicken thighs at 400, how long to grill boneless chicken thighs at 400, how long to cook chicken thighs on grill at 400, and how long does it take to grill boneless chicken thighs when you want a quick cook but still juicy meat.

How to Grill Chicken Thighs Step-by-Step (Gas or Charcoal)

Now that you know how long chicken thighs on grill typically take, here’s a simple process you can follow every time—whether you’re trying to learn how to grill chicken thigh pieces for the first time or dialing in times on a new cooker.

1. Prep and Season

Trim excess fat and loose skin.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help crispiness.
Season with an all-purpose BBQ rub like Meat Church Honey Hog BBQ rub or Tuffy Stone Everything BBQ rub.

2. Set Up the Grill

For gas: preheat to 375°F–400°F with at least one burner set to low or off for indirect heat.
For charcoal: bank coals to one side for a hot and cool zone.
Always clean and oil the grates before placing your chicken on the grill.

3. Start Over Indirect Heat

Especially for beginners learning how to grill bone in chicken or how to grill bone-in chicken thighs on gas grill setups, starting over indirect heat keeps flare-ups and burning under control.

Place thighs skin-side up over indirect heat.
Close the lid and let them roast until they’re about 150°F–160°F internally.

4. Finish and Crisp the Skin

To finish, move the chicken thighs closer to the hot side:

Flip skin-side down over direct heat for 3–5 minutes.
Use a high-temp cooking spray like Gourmet Duck Fat Cooking Spray to help crisp the skin and lock in flavor.
Watch for flare-ups and move pieces as needed.

5. Check Temperature and Rest

Check the thickest part of the thigh with an instant-read thermometer.
Pull the chicken when it reads 175°F–190°F for boneless or up to 195°F for bone-in.
Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving to redistribute juices.

Follow this approach and you’ll never have to guess how long should you grill chicken thighs or how long does it take to grill chicken thighs again—you’ll simply adjust time until your thermometer hits the right number.

Best Rubs, Sprays, and Tools for Grilled Chicken Thighs

Once you’ve dialed in how long to grill chicken thighs for your grill, the next upgrade is better flavor and more control. Here are some helpful tools and ingredients:

BBQ Rubs for Chicken Thighs: Use sweet or savory BBQ rubs designed for poultry, like Meat Church Honey Hog or Tuffy Stone Everything, to keep flavor consistent and beginner-friendly.
High-Temp Cooking Spray: Gourmet duck fat spray adds richness and helps crisp the skin without burning.
Instant-Read Thermometer: The most important tool for anyone asking how long to grill chicken thigh pieces; it removes the guesswork.
Charcoal Chimney or Quality Propane: Reliable fuel makes times more predictable when you’re trying to remember how long to grill chicken thighs on charcoal grill or gas.

Quick Answers to “How Long to Grill Chicken Thighs” Questions

Beginners search for this same topic in a lot of different ways. Here’s how all those “how long” questions about chicken thighs on the grill line up with simple rules of thumb.

How long to grill chicken thighs? Usually 12–16 minutes for boneless, 30–45 minutes for bone-in, depending on grill temp.
How long to grill chicken thighs on gas grill? Around 12–16 minutes boneless and 30–40 minutes bone-in at 375°F–400°F.
How long do chicken thighs take to grill? Plan on 15 minutes boneless and up to 45 minutes bone-in; always verify with a thermometer.
How long do I grill chicken thighs? Grill until they hit 175°F–195°F; time is usually 12–16 minutes boneless and 35–45 minutes bone-in.
How long to grill chicken thighs on charcoal grill? About 10–15 minutes boneless and 35–50 minutes bone-in with a two-zone fire.
How long do you grill boneless chicken thighs? Expect 12–16 minutes total at 375°F–400°F.
How long to cook bone in chicken thighs on grill? Usually 30–45 minutes at 350°F–400°F over mostly indirect heat.
How long to cook chicken thighs on charcoal grill? Boneless 12–15 minutes, bone-in 35–50 minutes, depending on heat and distance from coals.
How long to barbecue chicken thighs? Anywhere from 30–50 minutes for bone-in thighs, depending on grill temp and whether you’re using gas or charcoal.
How long to grill boneless chicken thighs on gas grill? 6–8 minutes per side at 400°F.
How long for chicken thighs on grill? Use 15 minutes boneless and 40 minutes bone-in as starting points.
How long should I grill chicken thighs? Until they reach 175°F–190°F; time varies by grill but falls in the ranges above.
How long to BBQ bone in chicken thighs? Plan for 35–50 minutes at moderate heat.
How long does it take to BBQ chicken thighs? Roughly 30–50 minutes, depending on bone-in vs boneless and temperature.
How long to grill boneless chicken thighs on charcoal grill? Around 10–15 minutes total over a hot fire with a cool side to finish.
How long should I grill boneless chicken thighs? Aim for 12–16 minutes, turning once halfway through.
How long to BBQ chicken thighs charcoal? Around 35–50 minutes bone-in at 325°F–375°F.
How long to grill chicken thighs with bone? Usually 30–45 minutes at 350°F–400°F depending on thickness.
How long to grill a chicken thigh? A single chicken thigh still follows the same guidelines: 12–16 minutes boneless, up to 40 minutes bone-in.
How long to cook chicken thighs on grill? Use the temp-based rules—lower temps mean longer times, higher temps shorten the cook.
How long do you grill chicken thighs? Until the thermometer reads at least 175°F in the thickest part.
How long does it take to grill chicken thighs? Typically 15–45 minutes depending on bone-in vs boneless and grill temp.
How long to grill chicken thighs at 300? Boneless 30–35 minutes, bone-in 45–60 minutes.
How long to grill chicken thighs at 350? Boneless 20–25 minutes, bone-in 35–40 minutes.
How long to cook thighs on grill? Use the ranges for boneless (12–25 minutes) and bone-in (30–50 minutes) depending on temp.
How long to grill thighs? Most cooks land between 15 and 45 minutes.
How long to grill chicken thighs bone-in? 30–45 minutes at a steady medium to medium-high heat.
How long to grill chicken thighs boneless? 12–16 minutes at 375°F–400°F, flipping once.
How long to grill chicken thighs at 400? Boneless 12–16 minutes, bone-in 30–40 minutes.
How long to grill boneless skinless chicken thighs on gas grill? 6–8 minutes per side at medium-high heat.
How long does it take to grill boneless skinless chicken thighs? Usually around 12–16 minutes total.
How long do you grill boneless skinless chicken thighs? Grill until they hit 175°F–185°F internally, typically 6–8 minutes per side.
How long to cook boneless skinless chicken thighs on grill? 12–16 minutes depending on thickness and grill temp.
How long to grill bone in thighs? Same as bone-in thighs in general: 30–45 minutes at moderate heat.
How long to grill chicken thighs and legs? Thighs and legs together usually take 35–50 minutes at 325°F–375°F.

If you keep these ranges in mind, you’ll never have to wonder how long do i grill chicken thighs, how long grill boneless chicken thighs, or how long does chicken thighs take to grill for a given cook—you’ll simply match the cut and grill temp to the right time window and confirm with your thermometer.

FAQs About Grilling Chicken Thighs

What temp should I cook chicken thighs to on the grill?

Always cook chicken thighs to at least 165°F internal, but for the best texture and juiciness, let them climb to 175°F–195°F. This range helps render fat and connective tissue while keeping meat moist.

Is it better to grill chicken thighs over direct or indirect heat?

Use indirect heat for most of the cook, then finish over direct heat. This method gives you even cooking inside with crispy, golden skin outside without constant flare-ups.

Can you grill boneless skinless chicken thighs without drying them out?

Yes. Grill boneless skinless chicken thighs over medium-high heat for 12–16 minutes, flipping once and pulling them when they hit 175°F–185°F. The added fat in thighs makes them far more forgiving than breasts.

Is charcoal or gas better for beginners grilling chicken thighs?

Gas is easier for temperature control and timing, especially if you’re learning how long to grill chicken thighs for weeknight cooks. Charcoal adds more flavor but requires more fire management.

How do I avoid burning chicken thighs while grilling?

Use two-zone heat, keep sugary sauces off until the last 5–10 minutes, and move chicken away from direct flare-ups. Always watch closely once you move pieces over direct heat to crisp skin.

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