These Italian grilled chicken thighs are marinated with lemon, garlic, olive oil, oregano, and rosemary, then cooked until lightly charred and juicy. The marinade takes only minutes to prepare, making this an easy chicken dinner to get ready earlier in the day.
Why You'll Love These Italian Grilled Chicken Thighs
- Full of Italian Flavor: Lemon, garlic, oregano, and rosemary give the chicken a fresh, herby taste.
- Juicy and Tender: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs stay moist as they cook over the high heat of the grill.
- Easy to Prepare Ahead: Mix the marinade earlier in the day, then grill the chicken when you are ready to eat.
- Works Indoors or Outside: You can cook the thighs on an electric grill, outdoor grill, or grill pan.
Grilled chicken is one of the dinners I return to when I want to do most of the work ahead of time. I usually mix the marinade in the morning, coat the chicken, and leave it in the refrigerator until dinner. Once the grill is hot, the chicken cooks quickly, and I only need to prepare a simple side. When I want another easy Italian-style chicken dinner, I also make my Italian Dressing Chicken or Tomato Marinated Chicken Thighs.
The lemon gives the chicken a fresh, tangy taste, while the garlic, rosemary and oregano add a deeper savoury flavour. Paprika brings warmth and helps give the outside a golden colour. The hot grill creates lightly charred edges, but the inside stays tender because chicken thighs contain enough natural fat to handle high heat. Compared with my richer Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs or creamy Chicken au Poivre, this recipe has a lighter herb and lemon flavour that works well with salads, potatoes and grilled vegetables.
Key Ingredients in Italian Grilled Chicken Thighs
These ingredients work together to give the chicken its fresh Italian flavour and tender texture.
- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: I prefer chicken thighs for this recipe because they cook quickly and stay juicy on the grill.
- Lemon Juice and Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Fresh lemon juice gives the marinade its brightness, while olive oil helps the herbs and seasoning coat every piece of chicken.
- Garlic, Oregano and Rosemary: This herb and garlic mixture gives the chicken its main Italian flavour. I mince the garlic finely so it spreads evenly through the marinade.
- Paprika, Salt and Black Pepper: Paprika adds a warm flavour and golden colour, while salt and black pepper bring the other ingredients together.
How to Make Italian Grilled Chicken Thighs
Follow these simple steps to marinate and grill the chicken until tender and lightly charred. You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below.
1. Prepare the Italian Marinade: In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, paprika, oregano, rosemary, salt, and black pepper until well blended.
2. Marinate the Chicken Thighs: Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.
3. Grill the Chicken: Heat the electric indoor grill until hot. Cook for 5-6 minutes until nicely charred and cooked through.
4. Rest and Serve: Let the grilled chicken thighs rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Helpful Swaps
- Replace the dried rosemary with dried thyme for a slightly milder herb flavour.
- Use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika if you prefer a smokier finish.
- Cook the chicken on an outdoor grill or grill pan over medium-high heat if you do not have an electric indoor grill.
- Add a small pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade for gentle heat.
Tips for Italian Grilled Chicken Thighs
Preheat the Grill Fully: I always let the grill become properly hot before adding the chicken. A fully heated grill helps create those dark grill marks and prevents the chicken from slowly steaming.
Choose Similar-Sized Thighs: Chicken thighs can vary considerably in thickness. Pieces that are close in size will cook at a similar rate, so you are less likely to have one piece ready while another still needs more time.
Leave the Chicken Undisturbed: Once the thighs touch the hot grill, leave them alone for the first few minutes. Moving them too soon can stop the surface from browning and may cause the chicken to stick.
Storage
I store leftover grilled chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them gently in a covered skillet or slice the chicken and serve it cold in sandwiches, wraps or salads.
What to Serve with Italian Marinated Chicken
I like serving these chicken thighs with a fresh Tomato Burrata Salad when I want something light, or with Greek Lemon Potatoes for a more filling dinner. Grilled or sautéed zucchini, roasted peppers, rice, or a simple salad also work well alongside the lemon and herb marinade.
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Recipe
Italian Grilled Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 500 g boneless skinless chicken thighs
For the Italian Marinade
- 50 ml fresh lemon juice
- 50 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Add 50 ml fresh lemon juice, 50 ml extra virgin olive oil, 2 cloves garlic , minced, 1 tbsp paprika, 1 tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp dried rosemary, ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp black pepper to a large bowl. Whisk until well combined.
- Add 500 g boneless skinless chicken thighs and turn them until evenly coated in the Italian marinade.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken for at least 2 hours and up to 8 hours.
- Preheat an indoor electric grill according to the manufacturer's instructions. Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill for approximately 5-6 minutes, or until lightly charred and the thickest part reaches 165°F / 74°C.
- Transfer the grilled chicken thighs to a clean plate and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Marisa says
So flavorful and easy! These Italian grilled chicken thighs came out juicy and perfect, love the garlic and herb marinade.