Sweet-Heat Grilled Chicken Thighs

Thanks for the recipe idea. This was a hit tonight. It was so easy to make and delicious. We’ll definitely do this one again.

— Linda M

Sweet-Heat Grilled Chicken Thighs.

If you like moist, tender, tangy, sweet and slightly spicy chicken, then this recipe is for you! Perfect for summer entertaining or a delicious meal that the whole family will love! 

I was honoured when Williams Sonoma reached out to see if I’d be interested in participating in their IG Story Cooking Guest Series with this recipe!

Check it out and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Ingredients for Sweet-Heat Grilled Chicken Thighs

• Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin on)
• Paprika
• Pepper
• Salt
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Coriander
• BBQ Sauce (your favourite store bought)
• Piri-Piri Sauce (or other flavourful hot sauce)
• Smoked honey (or plain honey)
• Chives, finely chopped
• Long red pepper
• Lime juice

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Trim the chicken thighs of any excess fat or skin. Pat dry the chicken using paper towels.

In a small bowl/jar, combine all the dry rub ingredients. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken liberally with the dry rub.

Mix the BBQ sauce ingredients well and reserve ½ cup to serve as a dipping sauce.

Place the chicken thighs, skin side up, on the upper rack of your grill and cook (lid closed) until internal temperature of 180°F is reached. Approximately 30-35 minutes.

Once the temperature is reached, brush each thigh with the sauce, close the lid, turn off the grill and let the sauce set for 5 minutes. Remove the thighs to a serving platter, lightly tent with foil for 5 minutes.

Remove foil, drizzle with honey, sprinkle with chives and serve with reserved sauce.

Recommended Internal temperature for Chicken thighs

Thighs are safe to eat at 165°F but more tender at 180°F-185°F.

What to serve with sweet and spicy chicken thighs

Here are a few of our favourite make-ahead sides that would compliment these sweet and spicy chicken thighs.

TRIED THIS RECIPE?

If you get the chance to try this recipe, please drop back and leave us a comment and rating. We would love to know what you think.

Cheers! James & Elaine

Sweet-Heat Grilled Chicken Thighs

If you like moist, tender, tangy, sweet and slightly spicy chicken, then this recipe is for you! Perfect for summer entertaining or a delicious meal that the whole family will love! 

5 from 5 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Resting time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 3 -4 People

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 9 chicken thighs bone-in, skin on

Dry Rub

• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon coriander

BBQ Sauce

• ½ cup BBQ Sauce your favourite store bought
• ½ cup Piri-Piri Sauce or other flavourful hot sauce
• ¼ cup smoked honey or plain honey
• 1 teaspoon fresh chives finely chopped
• 2 teaspoon long red pepper finely diced (seeds optional)
• Juice of ½ a lime

For Serving

• Honey
• Chopped chives

Instructions

 

• Preheat grill to 425°F.
• Trim the chicken thighs of any excess fat or skin. Pat dry the chicken using paper towels.
• In a small bowl/jar, combine all the dry rub ingredients. Sprinkle both sides of the chicken liberally with the dry rub.
• Mix the BBQ sauce ingredients well and reserve ½ cup to serve as a dipping sauce.
• Place the chicken thighs, skin side up, on the upper rack of your grill and cook (lid closed) until internal temperature of 180°F is reached. Approximately 30-35 minutes.
• Once the temperature is reached, brush each thigh with the sauce, close the lid, turn off the grill and let the sauce set for 5 minutes. Remove the thighs to a serving platter, lightly tent with foil for 5 minutes.
• Remove foil, drizzle with honey, sprinkle with chives and serve with reserved sauce.

Notes

Thighs are safe to eat at 165°F but more tender at 180°F-185°F.
Use a thermometer to ensure the correct final internal temperature. Please, never by time alone.

Keyword grilled chicken thighs recipes, grilled spicy chicken recipe, sweet and spicy chicken thighs, sweet heat chicken, sweet heat chicken thighs

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