All-American Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs

Ingredients:

• 2–3 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp chili powder (optional)
• Your favorite BBQ sauce (about 1 cup)

Instructions:

1. Prep the Chicken

• Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
• In a large bowl, toss them with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and chili powder.
• For extra flavor, cover and marinate in the fridge for 1–4 hours (optional but worth it!).

2. Preheat the Grill

• Heat the grill to medium (around 375°F).
• Set it up for two-zone cooking: direct heat on one side, indirect heat on the other.
• Oil the grates well to prevent sticking.

3. Grill the Chicken

• Start the thighs skin-side down over direct heat for 4–5 minutes until the skin gets a good sear.
• Flip and move to indirect heat. Cover the grill and cook for 20–25 minutes, turning occasionally, until the internal temperature hits 160°F.

4. Sauce & Finish

• Brush BBQ sauce on both sides during the last 5–10 minutes of grilling. Let it caramelize but not burn — keep an eye on it!
• Cook until the internal temp reaches 165°F.

5. Rest & Serve

• Let the chicken rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
• Serve with extra BBQ sauce, grilled corn, slaw, or classic potato salad.