Perfect Grilled Chicken Recipe Easy Juicy Crispy Skin Tips
A quick and easy grilled chicken recipe that delivers juicy meat with irresistibly crispy skin, perfect for summer cookouts and weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (organic or free-range recommended)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and leave uncovered in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours) to air-dry the skin.
- In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne if using. Rub olive oil all over the chicken, then sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly on both sides, pressing gently so it sticks.
- Preheat the grill and set it up for two-zone cooking — one side on medium-high heat (about 400°F / 204°C), and the other side lower for indirect heat. Clean and oil the grill grates well.
- Place the chicken skin-side down on the hot side of the grill. Let the skin crisp for 8-10 minutes without moving it. Watch for flare-ups and move chicken if needed.
- Flip the chicken and move it to the cooler side of the grill. Close the lid and cook for 10-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Transfer the chicken to a plate or tray and tent loosely with foil. Rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute before serving.
Notes
Patting the chicken skin dry and air-drying it in the fridge before grilling is key to achieving crispy skin. Use two-zone heat on the grill to crisp skin first then finish cooking without burning. Flip only once to avoid tearing the skin. Rest chicken after grilling to keep it juicy. If skin isn’t crispy enough, finish over direct heat for 1-2 minutes but watch closely.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 275
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 1
- Protein: 23
Keywords: grilled chicken, crispy skin chicken, easy chicken recipe, summer BBQ, juicy chicken, chicken thighs, barbecue chicken