6 blockbuster recipes for marinade for chicken thighs

When it comes to hosting a barbecue, you can’t go wrong with chicken! It’s the go-to meat for grilling and it’s a favourite among barbecue lovers everywhere. 

But some may argue that chicken isn’t quite as succulent and flavourful as pork, beef, or lamb—this isn’t always true. If you grill chicken thighs the right way, you can make them just as delicious and irresistible as any red meat!

On their own, chicken thighs may sometimes have little flavour—this is where marinades come in. Marinade for chicken thighs can add a world of new flavours to make any boring chicken thighs a feast for the tastebuds.

So if you’re going to serve your guests some mouthwatering chicken thighs at your next barbecue, here are 6 delicious recipes for marinade for chicken thighs that you can try.

01. Spicy coconut marinade

Here’s an exotic marinade for chicken thighs to tickle your taste buds—spicy coconut marinade! The star ingredient of this marinade, as the name suggests, is coconut milk and a bit of pineapple juice to help tenderise the meat. Also, make sure to add some chopped garlic and ginger to this marinade to give it more zest.

02. Chipotle marinade

This is a very simple yet delicious marinade recipe. It only has two main ingredients—chipotle peppers and adobo sauce. This marinade will make your chicken spicy, but not excessively so, and it will add a bit of smokiness to the flavour as well.

03. Tandoori marinade

Here’s a popular marinade that every chicken lover should try. Tandoori marinade is a timeless marinade recipe that’s made using a yoghurt and masala combination that can make chicken incredibly aromatic, flavourful, and succulent.

04. Souvlaki marinade

This is a simple 4-ingredient marinade that originates from Greece. All you need to make this delicious marinade is olive oil, dried oregano, lemon juice, and garlic. This marinade is usually used for skewers, but it works just as well for chicken thighs.

05. Pineapple marinade

If you love Hawaiian pizza—you’ll love this marinade recipe for chicken thighs! To make it, just add some pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and ketchup and whisk it all together in a big bowl.

06. Traditional grilled chicken marinade

There are many great marinades out there but sometimes a more traditional recipe is just what you need to give chicken thighs the right kick. Just mix some balsamic vinegar, thyme, and sugar in a bowl, and your traditional marinade is ready for those chicken thighs!

Tips for marinating chicken thighs the right way

Now that we’ve learned a few delicious marinade recipes, here are a few tips to help you marinate and grill your chicken thighs to perfection.

How long should you marinate chicken thighs?

The good news is that you don’t need to marinate chicken thighs for very long—just 15-25 minutes. But if you want the meat to absorb more of the marinade, try leaving the chicken thighs to marinate overnight in the refrigerator.

Should you opt for bone-in or boneless thighs?

Whether you choose to grill your chicken thighs with or without the bone is really just a matter of preference. But boneless chicken thighs tend to cook a bit faster. As far as marinating goes, it doesn’t matter if the thighs are boneless or not—the marinade will be absorbed into the meat the same way.

How can you make the chicken thighs crispy?

Chicken thighs will only become crispy if they have skin. If crispy chicken thighs are what you want, make sure that you choose thighs that have skin and come with the bone intact. 

When grilling, place the chicken thighs skin side down on the hottest part of the grill and grill for at least 3 minutes until the skin turns a beautiful golden brown.

Marinade for chicken thighs: The key to great chicken grilling

A good marinade can make any grilled chicken dish a hit. Also, marinades are very easy to make when you have the right ingredients on your side. And if you aren’t too confident in your marinade-making skills, don’t worry; there are plenty of great pre-made BBQ marinades out there for you to try out!