Grilled Sesame Chicken Thighs

Grilled Sesame Chicken Thighs are juicy, flavorful, and easy to make. The soy marinade uses only 6 simple ingredients. The results are moist chicken thighs with perfect grill marks.

Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs are so versatile and perfect for summer! The leftover chicken keeps well so make a double batch to have for meal prep throughout the week.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Grilled Sesame Chicken Thighs:

It only takes a few simple ingredients to make the flavorful marinade for grilled chicken thighs. Here’s what you need:

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs – you could also use chicken breasts but I love how moist chicken thighs are.
• Low Sodium Soy Sauce
• Sesame Oil
• Brown Sugar – Light or dark
• Spices – Ground black pepper, garlic powder, ginger powder
• Sesame Seeds and Sliced Green Onions – For garnish

How to Make Boneless Chicken Thighs on the Grill

Even if you’re not a grilling expert, you can totally make grilled chicken! See the instructions below:

1. Marinate Chicken Thighs – In a medium/large bowl, mix together marinade ingredients. Add the whole chicken thighs to the bowl and toss to combine. Allow to marinate for at least 20 minutes (perfect amount of time to preheat the grill) or up to overnight.
2. Preheat Grill – Preheat the grill to medium heat (450 degrees F) for direct grilling (ie. the chicken will go directly over the flame).
3. Grill – Grease your grill grates, if desired, with vegetable oil on a paper towel using grilling tongs. Then add the marinated chicken thighs to the grill. Let the excess marinade drip off into the bowl. Close the grill and grill each side for 4-5 minutes (8-10 minutes total) until fully cooked (internal temperature reads at least 165 degrees F). Chicken thighs are ready to flip when they easily release from the grill. The excess marinade should be discarded.
4. Serve – Removed cooked chicken from the grill and allow to rest for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to grill chicken thighs?

It takes about 8-10 minutes to grill boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Or about 4-5 minutes per side.

How do you grill chicken thighs without burning them?

The key to grilling chicken thighs without burning them is not having your grill too hot. It’s best to cook them on medium heat (or about 450F). This is hot enough to get the pretty grill marks, but not too hot that it burns the chicken before cooking it all the way through.

How do you keep chicken from sticking to the grill?

I like to grease my grill grates right before adding the chicken. I add some canola oil or vegetable oil to a paper towel and use the grilling tongs to carefully grease the grates. But the biggest key to not having food stick when grilling is to not flip the chicken too soon. Once the chicken is cooked on the outside with nice grill marks it will easily release from the grill.

How do you know if grilled chicken is cooked?

The best way to tell if grilled chicken is cooked is to check the internal temperature with a thermometer. Chicken should be cooked to at least 165 degrees F (I prefer 170 degrees F for thighs). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can also cut the chicken to make sure there is no pink and the juices run clear but checking the temperature is the safest option.

Leftovers and Storage

Grilled chicken is a great option for meal prep! Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep fresh for up to 5 days.

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Ready to Flip – Chicken thighs are ready to flip when they easily release from the grill. If they’re still really stuck on, then give them a little more time.
• Discard Marinade – It’s important to discard any excess marinade as it has been contaminated from the raw chicken.
• Rest before Slicing – It’s important to let the chicken thighs rest for about 5 minutes before slicing so the juices can redistribute.

Serving Ideas:

The serving ideas are endless! Here are a few of my favorites:

• Cooked White or Brown Rice
• Steamed Veggies – Like broccoli
• Asian-Inspired Noodles – Like these Garlic Sesame Ramen Noodles
• Asian-Inspired Salad – Like this Thai Quinoa Salad

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