Juicy Pellet Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe

Learn how to make these easy Pellet Grilled Chicken Thighs using simple ingredients in less than 30 Minutes!

If you are looking for a delicious dinner, these marinated chicken thighs on the pellet grill are the perfect go-to choice for a weeknight meal or weekend meal. We are using our Green Mountain Pellet Grill; however, this method will work on ANY pellet grill, Traeger, or traditional grill too! This article will share with you how to either grill your chicken thighs on the pellet grill or smoke the chicken thighs on the pellet grill, both will be discussed.

What you’ll love about Pellet Grill Chicken Thighs:

• Juicy and Flavorful – Chicken thighs are juicer than chicken breast and will melt in your mouth. Plus, pair them with the flavors of the wood pellets, and you have a delicious, flavorful chicken.
• Bone-In or Boneless – These can be made as boneless skinless chicken thighs or bone-in; it’s totally up to you!
• Great for Meal Prep – We like to make a big batch of these and use them throughout the week in chicken salad, traditional salads, or over nachos!
• Ready in Less Than 30 Minutes – The marinade can be prepared in advance, and the chicken can soak in it until you are ready to cook. When it is ready to cook, the chicken is ready to eat in less than 30 minutes.

How does a pellet grill or pellet smoker work?

The pellet grill is versatile and easy to use. It combines the wood flavors with wood pellets plus electric cooking to make quick meals that taste as good as those that are smoked on a traditional smoker all day. The pellet grill can grill, smoke, bake, or roast, all with a simple button push. There is a wide variety of pellet grills, so do your research wisely to choose the best model for your family.

Find out more about pellet grills in this article.

What ingredients do you need for this Smoked Chicken Thighs Recipe?

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs or Bone-In Chicken Thighs
• Gluten-Free Soy Sauce
• Gluten-Free Worcestershire Sauce
• Brown Sugar
• Ground Ginger
• Garlic Clove

Chicken Thighs can be served with your favorite sides such as Smoked Baked Potatoes, Potato Salad, Broccoli Salad, Corn on the Cob, Air Fried Okra, or Smoked Beans.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Add the defrosted chicken thighs to a large Ziploc bag.
2. Add in the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, ground ginger and garlic.
3. Seal the bag and coat the chicken well.
4. Let this sit and soak for at least 2 hours or all day, the longer, the better.
5. When ready to cook, warm up the pellet grill to 350 degrees F.
6. Place the chicken thighs on the grill and cook for about 15 minutes.
7. Flip them and cook an additional 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F.
8. Rest for 5 minutes and Serve.

Tips for Making Pellet Grilled Chicken Thighs:

I adapted these Glazed Chicken Thighs to make these Pellet Grilled Chicken Thighs, and the flavor in the chicken is wonderful with this marinade. The marinade sets the chicken thighs apart, so it’s a must to use a marinade before grilling or smoking the chicken thighs. The chicken thighs will be placed directly on the grill grates and cooked according to your preference of smoking the chicken or grilling the chicken.

How to grill chicken thighs on the pellet grill:

If you choose to grill the chicken, the grill will be set to 350 degrees F, and the chicken will be grilled for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F. For juicer chicken, try to aim closer to 170 degrees F.

How to smoke chicken thighs on the pellet grill:

If you choose to smoke the chicken, the grill will be set at 275 degrees F, and the chicken will smoke for 60 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F. For juicer chicken, try to aim closer to 170 degrees F.

• Use Boneless Skinless, Bone-In, or Skin-On Chicken Thighs – Any type of chicken thighs will work for this method. If you use skin-on chicken thighs, then you will have crispy skin chicken. We always use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
• Avoid Opening the Lid – Make sure to keep the lid closed as much as possible. Check the temperature of the meat with the meat probe or a meat thermometer.
• Check the Temperature – The cooking time and temperature will be different depending on if you choose to grill or smoke the chicken. Be sure to read the full recipe instructions carefully in the recipe card for the right times.
• Gluten-Free Option – To make these gluten-free, use gluten-free soy sauce for the marinade.

Can you make this recipe with chicken breast?

Chicken Breast can be used for this recipe; however, they dries out much quicker than chicken thighs. If you do want to cook chicken breast on the pellet grill, follow this recipe for Pellet Grill Chicken Breast. It will explain in detail how to properly cook grilled chicken breast.

What pellets are best for chicken thighs?

The wood pellets that are used will directly enhance the flavor of the chicken thighs. The best options are apple, cherry wood, or a fruit blend for a sweeter finish or hickory, pecan, or a mesquite competition blend for a smoky and bold finish.

How do you store leftover chicken thighs?

Once fully cooled, store the chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to reheat, they can be reheated in an air fryer at 300 degrees F for 3-5 minutes or in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate for 1-2 minutes.

Pellet Grill Chicken Thighs are perfect for a weekend barbecue or a weeknight dinner, they are ready to eat in just a few minutes and full of flavor, you’re entire family will enjoy this easy pellet grill recipe!

More Pellet Grill Chicken Recipes:

• Smoked Chicken Drumsticks (Pellet Grill)

• Marry Me Chicken on the Pellet Grill (Gluten-Free)

• Pellet Grill Chicken Breast

• Pellet Grill Barbecue Chicken Skewers