how long to grill chicken thighs on gas grill
You’ll usually grill chicken thighs on a gas grill for about 10–30 minutes total , depending on whether they’re boneless or bone-in, the grill temperature, and the thickness of the meat.
Quick Scoop
- Boneless, skinless thighs: about 10–15 minutes total over medium-high heat (around 400–450°F), flipping once halfway through.
- Bone-in, skin-on thighs: about 20–30 minutes total using medium-high heat and (ideally) a mix of direct and indirect zones.
- Always cook to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) minimum , many grill experts prefer thighs around 180–185°F for extra tenderness and juiciness.
Time is a guideline. Temperature is the rule. A cheap instant‑read thermometer is your best grill tool.
Ideal Times on a Gas Grill
Boneless, skinless thighs (medium-high heat, 400–450°F)
- Preheat grill 10–15 minutes on medium-high.
- Grill 6–7 minutes per side (about 12–15 minutes total) until the thickest part hits at least 165°F.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving to keep them juicy.
Bone-in, skin-on thighs (two‑zone heat works best)
- Preheat grill to around 400–450°F with a hotter side and a cooler/indirect side.
- Start over direct heat :
- Skin-side down first for 8–10 minutes to get color and crisp skin.
* Flip and cook the other side **8–10 minutes** over medium-high.
- If they’re browning too fast or still under-temp, move to indirect heat and cook another 5–10 minutes , lid closed, until internal temp is at least 165°F (many recipes take them to 185°F).
Overall you’re often in the 20–30 minute total range for bone-in thighs on a gas grill.
Simple Step‑by‑Step Game Plan
- Preheat the grill
- Set burners to medium-high, close the lid, and preheat to 400–450°F.
- Prep the thighs
- Pat dry, trim excess fat, season or marinate.
- Lightly oil the grates or the chicken to prevent sticking.
- Set up your zones (especially for bone-in)
- Turn one burner to medium-high and another to low or off, so you have a hot direct side and a cool indirect side.
- Grill
- Boneless: grill over direct heat, 6–7 minutes per side.
- Bone-in: start skin‑side down over direct heat, then finish over indirect to avoid burning while the inside finishes cooking.
- Check temperature
- Insert thermometer into the thickest part (avoid touching bone).
- Pull from the grill once it hits at least 165°F , or up to 180–185°F if you like very tender thighs.
- Rest
- Tent loosely with foil and rest 5–10 minutes so juices redistribute and carryover heat finishes the cook.
Gas Grill Timing Cheat Sheet (HTML Table)
| Type of Chicken Thigh | Grill Temp (Gas) | Time per Side | Approx. Total Time | Target Internal Temp | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boneless, skinless | 400–450°F (medium-high) | [3][1]6–7 minutes | [1]10–15 minutes | [3][1]165–185°F | [3]Flip once; great for quick weeknight grilling. |
| Bone-in, skin-on (direct heat most of the time) | 400–450°F | [1][3]8–10 minutes | [1]20–25 minutes | [3]165–185°F | [3][1]Watch for flare-ups; start skin-side down. |
| Bone-in, skin-on (direct + indirect) | 400–450°F with two zones | [4][1][3]8–10 minutes direct, then 5–10 minutes indirect | [1][3]25–30 minutes | [3]165–185°F | [3]Best for thicker thighs and extra crispy skin without burning. |
What Home Grillers Say (Forum Vibe)
On grilling forums, people often recommend:
- Using a two‑zone setup on gas grills (one burner high, one low/off) so thighs can finish gently without flare‑ups.
- Starting the thighs on the cooler side skin‑up, then moving to the hot side at the end to crisp the skin for a couple of minutes per side.
- Keeping lid closed most of the time so the grill works like an oven and cooks evenly.
A typical forum-style routine is: indirect cook until near temp, then a quick “blast” over high heat to crisp the skin and add char.
Safety and Doneness Tips
- Don’t rely on color or juices alone; always confirm with a thermometer.
- If the outside is dark but the inside is under 165°F, move thighs to indirect heat and close the lid until they finish.
- If your grill runs hot, shorter times (toward the low end of the ranges) will be closer to reality; if it runs cooler, expect the higher end of the time ranges.
Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.