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Savory Brown Sugar Balsamic Grilled Chicken Thighs

brown sugar balsamic grilled chicken thighs - featured image
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Juicy, smoky chicken thighs glazed with a sticky-sweet and tangy brown sugar balsamic marinade, perfect for quick and easy BBQ meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds / 1.3 kg)
  • ⅓ cup (70g) packed brown sugar (dark brown sugar preferred)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon (15g) Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, chopped fresh thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until sugar is mostly dissolved and ingredients are well blended (about 5 minutes).
  2. Place chicken thighs in a large zip-top bag or shallow dish. Pour marinade over chicken and massage gently to coat evenly. Seal bag or cover dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally 4-6 hours or overnight.
  3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F / 205°C). Clean and oil grates to prevent sticking.
  4. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Place thighs skin-side down on grill. Cook for 6-8 minutes without moving to develop a good sear and caramelization.
  5. Flip chicken and grill for another 7-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and skin is crispy and charred in spots. Watch closely to avoid burning sugars.
  6. Transfer grilled chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
  7. Serve garnished with extra fresh thyme if desired.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 1 hour for best flavor; overnight marinating is ideal. Control flare-ups by moving chicken to cooler grill areas and keep a spray bottle of water nearby. Pat chicken dry before grilling to reduce dripping and improve skin crispiness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure perfect doneness. If no grill is available, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 30-35 minutes or cook in a cast-iron skillet.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled chicken, chicken thighs, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, BBQ, marinade, easy dinner, summer recipe, gluten-free

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/savory-brown-sugar-balsamic-grilled-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-bbq-fans/