Crispy Grilled Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs
This recipe features skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs marinated in a bright lemon-garlic-herb mixture and grilled to crispy perfection. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights or casual cookouts.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (about 3 pounds)
- 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- Juice and zest of 2 medium lemons
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste (preferably coarse sea salt)
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, chopped thyme and parsley, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Add chicken thighs skin-side up to the marinade, turning to coat evenly. Let sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes or marinate up to 2 hours in the fridge for deeper flavor.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat (around 400°F). Clean and oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Place chicken thighs skin-side down on the grill. Cook undisturbed for 10-12 minutes until skin is golden and crispy.
- Flip the chicken and grill the other side for 8-10 minutes until cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Remove chicken from grill and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
Pat chicken skin dry before marinating for extra crispiness. Keep grill lid closed as much as possible to maintain even heat. Watch for flare-ups to prevent burning garlic. If no grill is available, bake at 425°F on a wire rack for 35-40 minutes to achieve crispy skin.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 24
- Protein: 22
Keywords: grilled chicken thighs, lemon garlic chicken, crispy chicken skin, easy chicken recipe, fresh herbs, weeknight dinner, barbecue chicken